Prince Edward Island Fisheries Minister Kevin MacAdam says Shawn Murphy, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal fisheries minister, is guilty of a gross distortion of the facts over the provincial government’s legal challenge to the powers of the federal minister. On Monday, Mr. Murphy warned of chaos in the industry if Prince Edward Island won its challenge.
"Mr. Murphy is engaged in a desperate battle of fearmongering, intimidation and blackmail through his efforts to distort the intent of the legal challenge," said Mr. MacAdam. "He well knows that this is all about achieving an open, transparent, accountable and fair process in fisheries management decisions. To suggest otherwise is simply ludicrous."
Mr. MacAdam said statements by Mr. Murphy that the fishery would be left unmanaged and unprotected if Prince Edward Island wins its case are simply not true. He also rejected the accusation that the lawsuit is an attack on other provinces. "I have said from the very beginning that all we are looking for is fair and equitable treatment, and a process that is open and accountable - no more, no less," said Mr. MacAdam. "That is why we are challenging the current absolute powers of the federal minister."
Mr. MacAdam also questioned statements made by Mr. Murphy that the current system in place has served Islanders well for decades.
" Where has it worked well? Over the years Prince Edward Island tuna fishers have seen their share of tuna quota reduced from 54% to 30% by DFO. Shrimp has been fished in the Gulf since 1965, right off PEI shores. Prince Edward Island has no permanent access to this fishery and only a temporary allocation of 0.74% of landings. We are not in a position to actually go fishing for shrimp, we must ask fishers from other provinces to catch our small quota for us.”
Prince Edward Island fishers started the gulf crab fishery in the 1960’s. Island fishers now have only 5% of the quota despite significant increases to other jurisdictions over the past 10 years.
“Where has the current system worked well for PEI fishers? Let Mr. Murphy make his statements on how well the current system works to lobster fishers in LFA 26 and 25 (where an agreed upon 3 year management plan in area 25 was broken by DFO half way through the plan) who have seen their catches reduced by as much as 50% or to our ground fishers who were shut out of their fishery without the compensation offered by DFO to fishers in similar circumstances in other provinces.”
Minister MacAdam suggested that Mr.Murphy should acquaint himself with the facts.
"I only wish our federal representatives devoted as much energy to serving Island fishermen as they do to defending the current fisheries management regime."
Mr. MacAdam said he is receiving strong expressions of support from Island fishers, and all LFA’s in the province who have consulted with their fishers are supportive of the legal action.
"I find it reprehensible that Mr. Murphy is engaging in threats and other tactics to create confusion and uncertainty in the fishery," he said. "Some fishermen even believe they will lose employment insurance benefits if Prince Edward Island wins this case. What nonsense! That kind of fearmongering is unworthy of Members of Parliament who are supposed to be representing the interests of Islanders."