P.E.I. Fishermens’ Association representatives met with federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Fred Mifflin, on Thursday to discuss the issue of 1 2 X 5 inch lobster escape mechanisms proposed as a condition of license for lobster fishermen in the Southern Gulf for the 1996 fishing season.
Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Walter Bradley, said reports from the meeting suggested that he has indicated to the federal minister that escape mechanisms could be installed this year. Bradley vehemently denied the statement and contacted the federal Minister again Thursday in this regard. Bradley emphasized that in his discussions with the federal Minister he pointed out that the latest a decision could be made on this year’s fishing plan was the end of February. He did not discuss the availability of escape mechanisms.
"I have been against the forced implementation of the 1 2 X 5 inch escape mechanism for the spring lobster fishery," said Bradley. "I had no interest in discussing when they could be installed or how they could be obtained."
Bradley said he is concerned that the P.E.I. Fishermens’ Association representatives who attended the meeting didn’t recognize that he was obviously being taken out of context. "I have worked extremely hard to represent fishermen on this issue, and we’ve made a strong case. I hope people are going to continue to work together on this, " said Bradley.
The federal minister told the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association that a decision would be made next week.