By Cory Hurley
Transcontinental Media/The Western Star
Without knowing the details, the early reaction to the federal government’s compensation plan for lobster fishermen seems to be, “Is that it?”.
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea announced June 10 government is making $15 million available to assist struggling lobster fishermen as part of a $65-million package.
Although waiting on details last Thursday, Myron Lavallee of Port Saunders said from early indications it appears the plan will include little for him and fellow harvesters on the Northern Peninsula. “It’s absolutely laughable what they came up with,” he said. “I mean, over a five-year period, come on. “I tell you, up on this coast, you can look out. By the time the end of June comes in, there could be war up here. The boys are still fishing, they are not getting anything, but they haven’t got time to go protesting yet. “... You take food away from a dog and he’s going to bark. People here have been barking since last year, warning government and everything, but nothing is ever done.”
Lavallee said people don’t realize the contribution fishermen are making to the economy and livelihoods of everyone. “I don’t know what’s wrong with people that they don’t realize,” he said. “If we stop fishing, the farmers stop farming, and the cattle ranchers stop producing cattle, where are they going to get their loaf of bread? Can of milk, or piece of beef or fish? “Do people forget, not long ago in Russia they had lineups a couple of miles long trying to get a can of milk in the store, but there was nothing on the shelves. It could easily happen here.”
The suggestion that fishermen only looking for handouts raises Lavallee’s ire. “I have been at this now for 39 years, and I have never, ever in my life, ever, received a cent from the government for anything,” he said. “Not one penny. I have always supported myself and family, but last year and this year, it is gone.”
Rick Crane of Cox’s Cove was also waiting for details last week of the plan and how it will affect local fishermen. “Everyone is anxious right now to see what is going to happen with it,” he said. Regardless of any perceived shortfalls, the fisherman said, it is a start. Meanwhile, Gerry Byrne, Liberal fisheries critic and MP for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, had no problem saying the assistance package fell short. In fact, he questioned the legitimacy of Shea’s enthusiasm
A five-year, $65-million program for fisherman from five provinces is not sufficient, he said. “For those listening to Minister Shea’s announcement (Wednesday, June 10), wondering how they will be able to financially survive this year so that they will still be around to participate in the industry’s recovery in five years time, (the) news was of no comfort,” Byrne said. “The industry is down $100 million this year already and $15 million is being topped up. That means fishermen will receive 15 per cent of their overall lost income. “That still means bankruptcy.” The opposition critic said important details were absent from the announcement, including any clear direction for a publicly funded, lobster licence-retirement program or any mention of extensions or changes to employment insurance.
He said the billion-dollar lobster industry will see an average of $2.6 million in assistance per province per year. Only $15 million of that has been directed to income support measures that fishermen desperately need — again just $3 million per province to last five years. “For an industry worth $1 billion, and with incomes already down by $100 million, the question to ask is, will fishermen be able to weather the storm as a result of this help? he said. “The answer is obviously ‘no.”’
