Prince Edward Island Fisheries Minister Walter Bradley says that recent interventions by Premier Callbeck, himself, Secretary of State Lawrence MacAulay, and Island M.P.s Joe McGuire and Wayne Easter, have provided Fisheries and Oceans Minister Fred Mifflin a much better perspective on lobster conservation issues on P.E.I.
Bradley said that it was important that these interventions by federal and provincial representatives be made to reinforce the need for DFO to reconsider its plans to introduce a 1-1/2" x 5" rectangular escape mechanism for all Prince Edward Island lobster districts for 1996.
"P.E.I. lobster fishermen have already taken steps toward lobster conservation in the past year, and are willing to implement reasonable measures to ensure the future of their industry. But the current escape mechanism proposal just doesn’t make sense, especially for the spring season," said Bradley.
Bradley said that Minister Mifflin has been very considerate of the information provided, but the DFO Minister has to be convinced that Island
fishermen are serious about protecting the resource for the future. He said that Island M.P.s are working to arrange a meeting between the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association and Mifflin to further discuss conservation issues.
"DFO has made it clear that doing nothing is not an option," said Bradley. "I think P.E.I. fishermen will continue to show DFO that lobster conservation is their priority too, but they want to consider reasonable options rather than having one forced upon them."
Bradley said that decisions on the issue must be taken soon in order for fishermen to complete preparations for the 1996 season.