In the Acadian Peninsula, fishermen are shaken and discouraged following the announcement of the ban on spring fishing for herring and mackerel announced Thursday by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans prohibits fishing for southern gulf spring herring and mackerel in the coastal waters of the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. The purpose of this measure is to protect stocks.
© Courtesy Hervé Mallet
Captain Hervé Mallet, aboard the Hugo M, accompanied by his brother Denis.
Hervé Mallet, from Le Goulet in the Acadian Peninsula, only fishes herring and mackerel. He and several of his colleagues are shaken.
There, we wonder what we are going to do with all the cuts that have been made“, he launches. Normally, we fish spring herring, then mackerel and then fall herring. We are asking serious questions. If they ever close the herring fishery in the fall, it’s over for us. There is nothing left.»
The fall commercial herring fishery – which represents the majority of landings for this species – remains open for the time being. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has not yet made a decision on this matter.
Some are considering giving up fishing
Fisherman Alain Caissie from Inkerman Ferry is considering giving up everything.
For my business, that means it’s gonna stay dry“, he advances. I don’t know what will happen with that. I might just bring this home and leave it on the side. What do you want me to do with this? We don’t get help from anywhere.»
© Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press
Herrings
His colleague, Andrew Stewart of Miscou, has just bought a new boat to fish herring. He wonders today if he did well.
I bought this thinking I was going fishing this year. There, there is no more fishing and there is nothing. I bought all of this. There, I equipped myself completely new with nets and all. I’m going to say like the guy, we’re going to end up in the hole for a bit.»
Élie Dugas, a fisherman from Pointe-Canot, finds himself in somewhat the same situation following his misadventure last year.
It’s not easy what’s going on there. Like me last fall, I was shipwrecked. I lost my boat in Miscou. I had to buy myself a boat, get financing. What do I do if we have nothing?»
What solutions?
Fishermen wonder if the federal government will help them.
© / Radio-Canada
Serge Cormier, MP for Acadie-Bathurst, in an interview on March 24, 2022.
In an interview with Radio-Canada, the federal Liberal MP for Acadie-Bathurst Serge Cormier mentioned a possible process of license buyouts.
Then he wonders if the Maritime Fishermen’s Union would be able to help these fishermen when it comes to allocating their crab quotas.
A domino effect on prices
And it’s not just the fishermen who are affected: this news has an effect on the whole chain.
The supplier Can Am Bait, in Richibouctou, which supplies bait to lobster and crab fishermen, will have to adjust to the situation quickly, explains general manager Samuel LeBlanc.
The company will have to import more mackerel from Spain, Scotland or the United States. It is certain that this situation will increase the price of bait for crabbers and lobster fishers.
Many people depend on the mackerel and herring fishery“, he insists. It will affect a lot of people.»
With information from Mario Mercier and Nicolas Steinbach
