Lobster Council of Canada Has Great Potential, Op-Ed

NOTE: The following in an op-ed piece by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau.

Establishing the Lobster Council of Canada gives us an exciting opportunity to improve and strengthen the lobster sector in Nova Scotia, and all the Atlantic provinces.

The industry employs about 30,000 people in Atlantic Canada and is worth more than $1 billion in exports. In Nova Scotia, it generates substantial economic activity and is worth $400 million each year in export value to our province. Nova Scotia is the leading lobster fishing province in Atlantic Canada. As provincial minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, I am pleased that the council will be based in Nova Scotia.

The lobster industry is complex and intimately interconnected in many ways. Lobster has many markets and products and all players affect each other in various ways. In the past year, the industry felt the effects of low market prices, negative currency exchange rates, high operating costs, demands for a sustainable approach to fishing and management and increased health and safety measures.

It is obvious that in these times and conditions, a co-ordinated and collaborative approach is critical for everyone in the lobster sector. The Lobster Council of Canada is well placed to achieve this by including all segments of the industry, from harvesters, processors, buyers and union representatives to First Nations and input from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

We must move forward with a united effort, if we are to strengthen the image of our lobster and make it available as a top-quality product sold in high-end markets throughout the world.

The council will receive input and advice from a large cross-section of the industry, and will be guided by a board of directors and professionally supported by an executive director and office staff. It can build trust and help everyone involved strive for a common goal to build and strengthen their industry.

To achieve its substantial potential, the council will focus on critical issues, objectives and activities. Because of the size and importance of the industry, the challenges it faces, and the potential for the sector, government concluded that start-up funding was a worthy investment. Nova Scotia has committed $100,000 to the council over the next two years.

It is essential that Nova Scotia play a significant part in lobster industry initiatives. Our province's coastal rural communities will be strengthened by the council's progress. We are in a strong position to collectively deal with issues such as market access, promotion, diversification, value-adding, industry organization and awareness, and demands for sustainability, certifications, food safety and traceability.

We have the best product in the world; we need to let people know that with one voice. We must work to ensure Nova Scotia lobster quality and market excellence standards that will be judged by world seafood markets of the future.

I firmly believe this industry-driven initiative has an excellent chance to make substantial progress on these issues. The status quo is not adequate for the many challenges emerging in current markets. Industry must adapt and respond co-operatively to these demands by world seafood markets.

The success of the council will depend on genuine desire and commitment of all in the industry and government to work together. This will be essential, and I hope all involved can appreciate this requirement, and build lasting, trusting relationships as we work to improve all aspects of the lobster sector.

I wish all the best to the representatives of the Lobster Council of Canada to help achieve the full potential of our lobster sector and build a brighter, better future.