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Recently announced changes to the 2009 bluefin tuna fishery by federal fisheries minister Gail Shea have received a thumbs-up by tuna fishermen around the region.
“This is definitely a positive move,” said Walter Bruce, chairman of the PEI Fishermen’s Association tuna advisory committee. “This change allows access to fishermen in all areas to a more fair and competitive fishery. It is something that PEI and other Maritime fleets have sought for some years.
“While much of the plan remains the same as last year, a key change is the elimination of quota transfers between Canadian fleets. In recent years, fleets that did not catch their full quota were allowed to transfer the uncaught portion to another Canadian fleet, reportedly for a negotiated price,” said Bruce. “That practice will no longer be allowed. Rather than quota transfers, any uncaught tuna quota by October 20th will be returned for redistribution to inshore fleets. This uncaught quota will be distributed on the basis of percentage shares to tuna fleets that each was allotted at the beginning of the season,” he stated.
Ken Drake, president of the PEIFA, pointed out that, “the practice of selling quota put the tuna fishery on the slippery slope of individual transferable quotas, a method of privatizing the fishery. The fishery is a Canadian resource and access should be guaranteed to all license holders. The minister is to be applauded,” he said.
The total Canadian quota for inshore fleets is 473 metric tonnes. Of this, the 348-vessel PEI tuna fleet has been allocated 30 per cent, or 138 metric tonnes. As a result of the change in regulation, the tuna advisory committee has adjusted its season dates. August 3rd has been set as opening date for a 40 m.t. allotment to be fished competitively by PEI fishers, subject to DFO approval, with the balance to be caught starting October 5th.
