C.B. Fishermen's
Leadership Applauded

FISHERIES/AQUACULTURE--C.B. Fishermen's Leadership Applauded

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Jim Barkhouse said the weekend vote by lobster fishermen in Cape Breton's Area 27 to increase the size of the lobster they keep is a wise and progressive decision.

"Taking a conservation step before a crisis occurs shows leadership," Mr. Barkhouse said. "Lobster landings have declined in eastern Nova Scotia and this is an effort to reverse that trend."

On Dec. 10, federal Fisheries Minister David Anderson stated that more reproductive capacity must be left in the water. Fishermen would either have to decide on limits themselves or possibly have them imposed, he said.

Mr. Barkhouse said his provincial department has supported an increase in carapace size in Area 27 for more than two decades. He said a similar program in Inverness County from 1987 to 1990 proved successful.

"This initiative allows fishermen, after the first year, to get results," said the minister. "Throwing back the smaller, fast-growing lobsters means they will be recaptured at a later time at a larger size.

"It also means some females will have a chance to produce more eggs. Fishermen get a double benefit -- more weight and more eggs."