he Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) want to know if a catch-and-release sport fishery for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna off the coast of the Island is feasible. Thanks to federal and provincial support, a trial fishery project will soon begin.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development and Mike McGeoghegan, PEI Fishermen’s Association participated in the announcement today.
“Our Government will contribute nearly $300,000 to the PEIFA for the group’s plans to conduct a trial catch and release fishery involving Atlantic Bluefin Tuna,” said Minister Shea. “It is important for groups like PEIFA to use their existing strengths, assets, knowledge and infrastructure to overcome various development challenges.”
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will contribute $148,400 to support PEIFA in its research. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will add $149,363, through the Community Adjustment Fund, a program under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan designed to support economic diversification activities. The Province of Prince Edward Island is also supporting the project with $143, 363 through the Innovation PEI’s Discovery and Development Fund and the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Rural Development’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative Inc. The PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corporation Inc.(PEIASC) has contributed $15,000 to the project as well.
“Supporting this project is a positive step for the Province towards a brighter economic future,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair. “In assessing the mortality rate of bluefin tuna post release, we are one step closer to determining the feasibility of a world-class live release fishery which would have a positive economic impact on Island fishing communities.”
The project will catch, electronically tag, and release 50 fish. The data will then be collected and analyzed to determine the impact of catch and release while preserving our tuna stocks.
“We are quite anxious to get started, the trial fishery project will be very interesting,” Mr. McGeoghegan. “In order for any future plans within the tuna industry to be considered, statistical assessments must be performed to determine the potential feasibility of a commercially significant live-release fishery.”
Fishermen selected to participate in the trial fishery will be reached through a fair and transparent process. Scientists and technicians will ensure all procedures and collection of data are consistent throughout the study.
“The PEIASC funds a variety of projects which demonstrate a benefit to the PEI fishery as a whole,” said Association President Bob Johnston. “The research involved in this project is a vital component in maintaining a viable tuna fishery.”
A catch and release fishery would have an enormous economic impact in PEI. Recreational fishing in Canada accounted for over $1.6 billion spent by 3.2 million licensed adults in 2005 according to a Statistics Canada survey of recreational fishing. Such a fishery would also attract serious sport fisherman from the International Game Fishing Association (IFGA), who have 28,000 dues paying members.