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October 29, 2020 Report on a sustainability framework for atlantic lobster Ottawa On. - The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC or Council) held three public meetings last week to provide additional clarification to the report, Sustainability Framework for Atlantic Lobster, 2007. The report was released in early July after a year of consultations and analysis by Council members. This brings a closure to the FRCC’s involvement in the lobster fishery review. The Council would like to thank participants who attended the many consultations and provided briefs and took part in last week’s meetings. Although the purpose of the meetings was to clarify the content of the report, the FRCC appreciated the numerous suggestions and guidance provided to the Council during these discussions. “We hope that the clarification and explanation of the report’s contents have been useful for those who will now be responsible for implementing the report” mentioned Mr. Jean Guy d’Entremont, FRCC Chairman. Mr. d’Entremont also urged all those with an interest in the East Coast lobster fishery to carefully read and analyse the report. The Council noted that wrongful attributions can provide false impressions. It is vitally important that industry understand the overall context which can only be obtained from a thorough review of the report. In its section on ecosystem based management, the report mentioned that fishermen in the Bay of Fundy had delayed the lobster fishing season because of the presence of right whales. The Council would like to rectify its report by noting that the delay was in reality due to bad weather. The Council recognizes the sensitivity of some of these issues with the local harvesters and regrets any confusion caused by the error. The FRCC is pleased to see that some lobster fishing areas representatives are showing leadership and have started discussions with DFO on the elaboration of an action plan. The report does not provide all the answers but is intended to guide the discussion. “Harvesters are encouraged to identify those recommendations of the report that apply in their area and develop an approach that responds to their needs and that of the resource and harvesters” concluded Mr. d’Entremont. The full text of the report is available on the FRCC’s website at www.frcc-ccrh.ca. Copies are available by contacting the Secretariat at (613) 998-0433 -30- For information: Arthur Willett |
