Premier Pat Binns today sent the following correspondence respecting lobster harvest plans for Districts 24, 26A and 25 to Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans:
"Dear Minister Regan:
"I am writing concerning the issue of conservation harvesting plans for the Gulf of St. Lawrence lobster fishery.
"Fishers in Prince Edward Island engaged in a comprehensive set of discussions last year respecting conservation harvest plans for LFA's 24, 26A and 25. That resulted in major initiatives being adopted to enhance the conservation and protection of lobster stocks including increasing minimum carapace size and restricting the size structure (window) of the legal catch. The industry also suggested a voluntary data collection mechanism to include 25% of lobster fishermen and a license buyback program.
"Your department is now engaging in further discussions on lobster harvesting plans with a view to deal with effort reduction and data collection.
"Fishers in PEI are extremely concerned about the adoption of any further conservation measures until the major changes adopted last year are fully implemented and evaluated. The full effect of the carapace size change, for example, will take years to be evident.
"Our fishers have demonstrated their concern for lobster conservation and protection with the measures they supported last year. They do not feel there has been a demonstrated reciprocal concern evidenced by the actions of your department. It has been reported that your budget for the patrol vessel in Western PEI has been reduced to only allow six weeks coverage. This sends a message that while fishers are to be concerned about conservation and protection, DFO is not.
"Minister, the lobster industry is the clear backbone of the fishing industry in PEI. Our industry and my Government are concerned about lobster conservation and protection and measures have been adopted to reach that goal. While all must maintain an open mind in striving to increase conservation and protection, it is my view that a status quo approach to the conservation harvesting plan to allow further evaluation of the recently adopted measures makes the most sense.
"I, therefore, seek your agreement in adopting that approach. Thank you for consideration of our position."