Thursday, May 3rd 2018 - Question Period - Fisheries and Oceans - Fishing Regulations

Fisheries and Oceans

Fishing Regulations

Hon. Rose-May Poirier: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Last week, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans met with the lobster harvesters to explain his decision to impose a ban in the area of zone 23 in northern New Brunswick. Basically, it was done due to certain United States senators who signed a letter asking for the NOAA to conduct an audit to ensure Canadian measures to protect their right whales meet the United States standards and if not, to impose a ban on the Canadian seafood imports.

According to the Director of the Centre d’éducation et de recherche de Sept-Îles, the right whales only migrate in June. Why is the minister imposing a ban on lobster fishermen in April when the right whales only migrate in June?

Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): I will make inquiries of the minister to bring precision to the question. The minister did make announcements recently, to which the honourable senator referred, to ensure the integrity of the right whale population. With respect to the timing, I’m not aware of the April date. I’ll make inquiries.

Senator Poirier: I would appreciate it, Senator Harder, if my question on this issue would be answered in a timely fashion, since it is an urgent situation for the communities and families affected by this decision. The lobster fishermen understand the situation and want to help to protect the right whales while maintaining their access to the U.S. market, but they are concerned and frustrated that this is being imposed on them with no consultation and a lack of scientific evidence.

Could you ask the minister, please, to provide the scientific evidence on which he based his decision?

Senator Harder: I will ask the minister, yes.

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