Ottawa Urged to Ensure Safety, Conservation

Nova Scotia's fisheries and aquaculture minister is calling on the federal government to respond quickly in light of the Atlantic chiefs' lobster moratorium reversal. Ernest Fage said Ottawa must make certain that any fishery is regulated to ensure safety and conservation.

Mr. Fage said he is disappointed with the turn of events. "It seemed to us, and many other observers, that a cooling-off period would prevail and we could have discussed these important issues."

Mr. Fage said it is imperative that the entire commercial fishery fall under only one management and conservation regime. And he called again on the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to assure Nova Scotia fishermen that neither they nor the province will have to bear any costs while this matter is addressed.

"Whatever the outcome, DFO had better take into account the impact of the Marshall ruling on our fishermen, and its impact on the economies of coastal communities throughout Nova Scotia," said the minister.

Mr. Fage said Ottawa must continue to reinforce the fact that the Supreme Court of Canada ruling indicated the native fishery is not "unregulated," despite media reports to that effect.

"It's clear from reading the decision that the federal government has the right to regulate the application of the treaty right," Mr. Fage said. "That regulatory regime must have safety and conservation as its overriding objectives.

"Given the goodwill between native leaders and commercial fishermen in Area 35, it would appear that neither safety nor conservation are at risk, and the lobster fishery that opens today should proceed," Mr. Fage added. "It's an example of how safety and conservation can be achieved in the short-term, by negotiation and agreement."

Mr. Fage said he will continue to press his federal counterpart to make sure Nova Scotia's interests are represented in negotiations over the native fishery.