October 25, 2004 Moncton, N.B. -- The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today announced that the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association (PEIFA) and the New Brunswick herring seiners have agreed on an interim compromise to settle their herring fishery dispute. The parties agreed to the elements of a scientific fishery between 17 and 20 fathoms, which is consistent with the Minister's announcement of September 24, 2004. This scientific fishery is to be conducted in the context of broader scientific work that will involve inshore fishers. The scientific fishery which is to be carried over a period of three years is based on the partnership of the parties, and is intended to address various concerns raised in the Surette Report. Minister Regan was pleased that herring seiners and PEI fishers were successful in their efforts to reach an agreement and congratulated them for their hard work and good will in reaching a settlement. "Both fleet sectors and my department encourage fishers and the public to respect the agreement negotiated by parties." The key management measures are in effect for a period of three years (2004-2006) and are as follows: The existing exclusion zone line is being moved out to a depth of 20 fathoms. A license for scientific purposes will allow a limited seiner fishery to be conducted between 17 and 20 fathoms on the northeast side of PEI. The seiners will be permitted to catch a maximum of 15% (2,977 tonnes) of their quota in the scientific area. However, the number of valid fishing sets (those where herring are kept) will be limited to 54. This corresponds to the number of sets needed to obtain adequate information. Seiners are permitted to catch 25 % of their quota (4,962 tonnes) between 20 and 25 fathoms. Results of the scientific fishery will be reviewed after three years, at which time, a decision will be made to keep the line at 20 fathoms, move it back to 17, or set it at a different depth. There will also be 100 % certified at-sea observer monitoring of the seiner fishery between 17 and 25 fathoms, complemented by other independent occasional monitoring. Existing conservation and management measures, including the use of Vessel Monitoring System technology will continue. These management measures will continue for three years (2004 to 2006), unless legitimate conservation threats require changes. Ed Frenette, Executive Director of the PEIFA, said that his association "welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of accurate science on the herring fishery, something that has been needed for some time. The PEIFA will accept the results of this three-year study when all the data has been compiled, scientifically analysed, and reviewed. It is important to point out," he stated, "that the position of the PEIFA has not changed. We continue to urge the Minister to take a precautionary, conservationist approach and restrict purse seining to beyond 25 fathoms along the whole north shore of PEI. We understand, too, the frustration and fear for the fish stock felt by PEI fishers. The PEIFA continues to advocate only lawful activity as a means of conserving this vital resource," he concluded. Seiners' representative Olin Gregan said "that seiners do not believe they are a threat to conservation of the herring or lobster stocks, or habitat. We have the right to pursue our fishery without interference by PEI inshore fishers, as we are conducting our operations under a legitimate management plan supported by DFO." Mr. Gregan also said that "the interim compromise agreed by seiners was entered in good faith and is conditional on seiners getting complete unimpeded access to Souris wharf without interference from PEI fishers and the public. This includes being allowed to refuel and reprovision our vessels and being allowed to carry out our overall operations in a normal legal business environment. If not, the settlement compromise will be revisited." DFO will work with the herring industry over the next year to develop a more comprehensive approach to managing the herring fishery, including enhanced reporting, analysis and verification of total removals of herring by all fishing activities. - 30 - For more information: Christiane Parcigneau Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 998-1530 Brian Underhill Director of Communications Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 992-3474
