Fishermen fear impact of cusk review

By Tina Comeau

SOU’WESTER

It would be a big impact.

That’s what fishermen and fish processors in southwestern Nova Scotia are saying about the possible listing of cusk as a threatened species. The deep-water fish is an incidental bycatch and those in the lobster and groundfish industries are worried about the implications on their livelihoods should the listing go ahead.

There are suggestions management measures could range from seasonal closures of fishing areas to gear modifications to observer coverage. Those who could be affected say given such management measures there would be economical impact on the lobster and grounfisheries in terms of loss revenue and dispersal of fishing efforts.

“It’s going to impact us a great deal if you start coming to the extreme of closing fishing areas,” says lobster fisherman Ashton Spinney, who was present at a recent public consultation meeting held in Yarmouth, N.S.

While those in attendance talked about the potential impacts, they also wanted to talk about the science that’s brought the discussion to this stage. But challenging or dissecting the science was not part of the agenda.

COSEWICK – the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada – which is leading the review provides advice to government on the status of wildlife species in Canada. It has determined that the abundance of cusk is down.

There is data that shows the incidental bycatch of cusk, in relation to the groundfish and lobster fisheries, is mostly in and around the German Bank to the 50-mile line. But it’s a fish not just located in 4X and despite the fact the abundance might be lower in some areas more than others, it is managed as one species.

While DFO isn’t driving the review, it is part of the process. Specifically its role is to gather information on what the socio-economic impact of listing cusk would be.

“We have an obligation to review the material and to provide an opportunity for stakeholders, i.e. the public, to make comment in terms of the socio-economic impacts if our minister supported the listing,” says DFO area director Ian Marshall, who chaired the Yarmouth consultation session.

He said the comments at the meeting, along with workbooks that participants were encouraged to fill out, will be forwarded to the minister as part of a recommendation to list or not.

The deadline for input and completing the workbooks is Aug. 1. For people who weren’t at the meeting, workbooks are available at the DFO area office in Yarmouth, and will also be available at the detachment offices.

Marshall says there will be a follow-up meeting for stakeholders to go over a draft of the information that will be forwarded to the minister, but just for the purpose of checking it over for accuracy.

Asked if there will be a meeting where stakeholders can challenge the science behind the review he says, “Not in the DFO process.”