Page 16. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2009
Canadian Commercial Fishing News
Continued from Page 15.
$756.7 million. Exported 97,948 t of fish and advice of scientists to ensure the seal these species. Licences and permits will be
seafood in 2008. Its top three species were population is maintained.” used to control any commercial harvest for
cent of all fish and seafood exports by lobster (14,213 t valued at $364 million), The 2009 harp seal TAC has been set at these species.
volume and 65% of the value. Lobster farmed Atlantic salmon (23, 752 t valued at 280,000, out of a herd of more than 5.5 million. Management Measures for 2009
remains number one, with exports $161 million), and snow/queen crab (9,514 t This one-year TAC includes allocations of Recent amendments to the Marine
approaching a billion dollars. at a value of $91.7 million). 2,000 seals for personal use, 5,040 seals for Mammal Regulations dealing with sealing
In 2008, the largest Canadian exporting QUEBEC: Aboriginal initiatives and a carry forward of methods will further enhance the
provinces of fish and seafood were British Canada’s fifth leading exporter of fish 13,092 seals for those fleets that did not humaneness of Canada’s annual seal hunt.
Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and and seafood products in 2008 with a value of capture their quota from 2008. About 70% of Together with the 2009 licence
Labrador, New Brunswick, Quebec, and $230.6 million. Exported 28,655 t of fish and the TAC is allocated to the Front (waters east conditions, which deal with other related
Prince Edward Island. seafood in 2008. The top three species were of Newfoundland and Labrador). The Gulf of aspects of the three-step process, the
BRITISH COLUMBIA: snow/queen crab (7,445 t valued at $69.3 St. Lawrence receives about 30% of the TAC. proposed amendments clearly articulate the
British Columbia led the country last million), lobster (1,619 t valued at $44.5 The hooded seal TAC has been set at requirements for a humane kill. They provide
year in fish and seafood exports, with a total million) and shrimp/prawn (2,403 t valued at 8,200 animals out of a herd of 600,000. The the basis for a shared understanding of
value of $910.9 million. Exported 170,368 t of $21.1 million). grey seal TAC for 2009 is 50,000 animals out requirements in support of improved sealing
fish and seafood in 2008. The three most PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: of a herd of 300,000. practices and better compliance and
important species in terms of value were Canada’s sixth leading exporter of fish “Canada is a world leader in the enforcement.
farmed Atlantic salmon (54,098 t valued at and seafood products in 2008 with a value of management of the seal hunt. DFO’s A number of measures in 2009 aim to
$334.5 million), hake (33,327 t valued at $65.6 $200.8 million. Exported 18,967 t of fish and Fishery Officers will be closely monitoring decrease the possibility of quota overruns.
million), and crab (6,830 t valued at $55 seafood in 2008. Its top three species were this year’s hunt to ensure compliance with These include: shorter and more controlled
million). lobster (5,741 t valued at $149.4 million), the regulations and licence conditions, and opening periods (possibly half-days for
NOVA SCOTIA: mussels (9,636 t valued at $27.8 million), and they will take enforcement action when some fleets); coordinated regional
Canada’s second leading exporter of crab (759 t with a value of $7.3 million). More necessary,” said Minister Shea. management and monitoring plans;
fish and seafood products in 2008 with a detailed information about Canada’s fish Surveillance is conducted through monitoring at dockside; mandatory hail-
value of $846.5 million. and seafood exports can be found at ongoing aerial patrols, cameras, outs on departure for some fleets; and daily
Exported 118,928 tonnes (t) of fish and Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Statistical sophisticated vessel monitoring systems, hails of catches for all sealing vessels,
seafood in 2008. Nova Scotia’s most Services at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/ at-sea and dockside vessel inspections, among other measures.
valuable species were lobster (21,897 t statistics/main_e.htm. regular inspections of processing facilities,
valued at $352 million), scallops (5,843 t and independent third party observers. Minister Gail Shea Announces Funding
valued at $95.1 million), and crab (8,374 t Minister Shea Announces the 2009 Minister Shea also repeated the For Mussel Aquaculture in Newfoundland
valued at $78.9 million) Management Measures for the Atlantic Government of Canada’s commitment to and Labrador
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR: Seal Hunt defend Canada’s humane and sustainable April 1, 2009
Canada’s third leading exporter of fish March 20, 2009 seal hunt, and the livelihoods that depend on Newfoundland and Labrador —
and seafood products in 2008 with a value of OTTAWA – The Honourable Gail Shea, it, while on the international stage. Newfoundland and Labrador – The
$811 million. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, “Our government will continue to Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries
Exported 175,407 t of fish and seafood in announced the total allowable catch (TAC) defend the rights of Canadian sealers to and Oceans, announced approximately
2008. Newfoundland and Labrador’s top for the 2009 Atlantic seal hunt. provide a livelihood for their families $97,000 in funding under the Aquaculture
three species were crab (29,011 t with a value “Sealing is a significant source of through our lawful, sustainable and humane Innovation and Market Access Program
of $269 million), shrimp/prawn (57,056 t income in many small, isolated coastal hunt, said Shea. We are extremely (AIMAP) for two mussel aquaculture
valued at $238.5 million) and mackerel (20,791 communities throughout Atlantic Canada, disappointed that the European Parliament projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.
t valued at $43.2 million) Quebec and the North,” said Minister Shea. has called for a disruption of the trade of seal “Our Government is committed to
NEW BRUNSWICK: “Our management decisions for the hunt products and our position remains that any enhancing the global competitiveness,
Canada’s fourth leading exporter of fish take into account this fact as well as the ban on a humanely conducted hunt, such as productivity and environmental
and seafood products in 2008 with a value of Canada’s, is completely without merit. We performance of Canada’s aquaculture,” said
will continue to explore all legal and Minister Shea. “By investing in these
LOBSTER TRAPS
diplomatic options and Canadians can be projects in the Newfoundland and Labrador
assured that we will exercise our rights to mussel aquaculture industry, we are
their fullest extent under international trade supporting a vibrant sector that contributes
GO HIGH TECH
laws if and when it becomes necessary and to the rural economy.”
appropriate.” Newfoundland Organic Seafood Inc. of
Day said. “The program covers a large area
Logy Bay received $80,960 in funding for the
Continued from Page 14.
and provides a lot of data at a reasonable
Total Allowable Catch for the 2009 product development, commercialization
about 60 lobstermen have been long-term cost.” Day says he looks at the program’s
Atlantic Seal Hunt and marketing of blanched-Individually
active participants. Manning says he is a bit web site, and although the data has been
March 25, 2009 Quick Frozen (IQF) whole mussels in shell.
surprised but very pleased so many pretty much what he expected, he occasion-
Harp Seals The focus of this project is to determine the
lobstermen are interested in the project. The ally sees a change that he can relate to his
The annual TAC is set at 280,000 market acceptance and commercial
eMOLT partners have contributed to a data- catch.
animals in 2009. opportunities for a new blanching technique
base with more than three million hourly What’s next? Manning says the part-
The TAC for harp seals includes a carry for whole in-shell, ready-to-eat IQF mussels.
temperature records, 80,000 salinity records, ners are working on a real-time bottom tem-
forward of 13,092 seals for those fleets that It is anticipated that this technique will
and 260,000 satellite drifter fixes (locations). perature sensor attached to the traps that
did not meet their 2008 allocations. reduce production costs and provide a more
Lobsterman Jason Day of Vinalhaven, would wirelessly transmit data via satellite
A carry forward option, which is versatile product form than currently exists
Maine heard about eMOLT from his father, once the trap is hauled on deck. They are also
reviewed annually, means fleets can carry with vacuum-packed mussels.
Walter Day, also a lobsterman and program working on a combined tilt meter-bottom
forward into the next season up to 10 percent LBA Enterprises Ltd. of Little Bay
participant. A year-round lobsterman, Jason current meter with digital compass to mea-
of their allocation if not fully utilized, received $16,115 in funding for the design,
Day puts his traps in the water in late April or sure both bottom currents and the angle at
provided there are no compelling production and testing of an enhanced
early May and hauls them out in December. which the trap rests on the seafloor. The
conservation concerns. hydraulic system with the capacity to
He became involved with eMOLT three information collected should provide insight
The Front (waters east of operate multiple pieces of hydraulic
years ago and has one trap equipped with a in whether bottom currents affect how lob-
Newfoundland and Labrador) will receive machinery simultaneously in order to reduce
temperature sensor in shallow water near sters move, and whether currents influence
approximately 70% of the TAC and on-farm mussel handling. If successful, this
Vinalhaven. lobsters to enter a trap. In the near future,
approximately 30% will be assigned to the new hydraulic system would enable
“I’m interested in what is happening on Manning would like to add sensors to mea-
Gulf of St. Lawrence automation of seed stripping, grading and
the bottom, and eMOLT helps me keep up,” sure oxygen, nutrients, and pH to determine
The hunt of juvenile harp seals socking operations, and reduce production
ocean acidification levels in the region.
(whitecoat) has not been allowed since 1987. costs for mussel farmers while significantly
“There used to be a debate on the docks
Marine Mammal Regulations also prohibit increasing productivity.
about whether it was cold or warm on the
the trade, sale or barter of the fur of juveniles. The overall goal of the Aquaculture
bottom,” Manning said of the lobstermen,
Hooded Seals Innovation and Market Access Program
whom he meets regularly at their annual meet-
The TAC is set at 8,200 animals out of a (AIMAP) is to support Canadian
ings and who send in updates. “Now there is
herd of 600,000. aquaculture and encourage innovative
no debate. The lobstermen see the data for
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will not be investments in this industry. The program
themselves over time, and can take note of
considering a commercial hunt for hooded focuses on short duration projects that will
trends or changes that might affect their
seals (bluebacks). lead to industry-wide benefits. Recipients
catches. It is a baseline that helps both lob-
Grey Seals are required to demonstrate how their
ster science and the scientists and ocean
The TAC is set at 50,000 animals. projects meet at least one of the following
circulation modelers in the Gulf of Maine
This includes an allocation of 2,200 objectives: sustainable production,
who, in partnership with the eMOLT
seals for Hay Island. increased diversification, green technology
lobstermen, constitute part of our nation’s
Ringed, Harbour and Bearded Seals and/or market access.
integrated ocean observing systems.”
There are no TACs or allocations set on
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