Mackerel bait fishery opening in Atlantic Canada ‘a slap in the face,’ says Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters’ union

Published 2024년 4월 26일

Tridge summary

The Canadian government has announced the opening of a 470-tonne personal-use mackerel bait fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, despite opposition from local unions. The fishery will be divided into two equal quotas to ensure equal access to the stock, which is currently under rebuilding plan due to a closure of the commercial fishery in 2022. The fish caught under this bait licence are for personal use only and cannot be sold. The opening dates and specific quotas for Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec will be decided by the Atlantic mackerel advisory committee. The government emphasized the need for more scientific data on mackerel and other forage species due to climate change impacts.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

CORNER BROOK, N.L. — The federal government labels it a good news story, but not everyone is happy about news of a mackerel bait fishery opening this spring. During a virtual press conference on Thursday, April 25, Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Diane Lebouthillier announced there will be a 470-tonne personal-use bait fishery for mackerel in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. The commercial mackerel fishery, which the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) shut down in the spring of 2022, will remain closed. The mackerel bait fishery will be released in two equal parts. By releasing the quota in this way, Lebouthillier said, harvesters from different regions will have equitable access to Atlantic mackerel as the stock migrates through the waters of Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Fish caught under a bait licence are intended for personal use and cannot be sold, traded or bartered. This bait fishery will help licence holders supply their other fisheries with bait ...

Source: Saltwire