The federal fisheries minister met with her Atlantic counterparts.
Tuesday morning, Diane Lebouthillier spoke with the ministers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador.
In a release from DFO, the ministers talked about climate change and effects on marine ecosystems.
Lebouthillier also talked about the extension of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund through 2026, and the re-opening of the commercial redfish fishery.
The ministers also discussed the importance of supporting struggling shrimp harvesters.
They agreed to keep the lines of communication open.
Here is the full release:
February 13th, 2024
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian
Coast Guard, met this morning with her counterparts from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
The Ministers first underscored the undeniable impacts of climate change on our marine
ecosystems and the economies of our coastal communities.
Ministers also discussed the extension of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund through 2026,
particularly in light of the January 26th announcement. Minister Lebouthillier reiterated
the importance of prioritizing innovative redfish projects to provide fishermen with the
tools and financial resources they need to transition to this new fishery.
The Ministers then addressed the reopening of the commercial redfish fishery in Unit 1
and the importance of supporting struggling shrimp harvesters. Minister Lebouthillier
reminded her counterparts that this decision not only respects the leading role Nova
Scotia has historically played in this fishery, but also increases the historical shares of
each of the other provinces. In terms of fleet distribution, the Minister also highlighted
the increased leverage of smaller fleets compared to 30 years ago, reducing the share
of the offshore fleets from 74% in 1994 to 59% in 2024.
Ministers Lebouthillier, Smith, Johnson, Loveless and Deagle agreed to keep
communication channels open and above all to continue working as a team to meet the
challenges facing our fishermen.
