Minister Hearn encourages voluntary measures to maximize value of Gulf crab fishery

(Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, issued the following statement on May 8.)

I completely agree with recent statements that it is in everyone's best interests to maximize the value of the Gulf crab fishery.

Over the past year stakeholders from across the crab industry have participated in numerous meetings and discussions about how to achieve the most value as product moves from "Ocean to Plate." People directly involved, whose livelihoods depend on the fishery, discussed ideas that could see maximum benefits go to harvesters, processors, plant workers, and everyone involved in the fishery.

Minister Rick Doucet (the Fisheries Minister in New Brunswick) has called for immediate government intervention in the fishery. This approach discourages parties from working together to find lasting solutions.

My approach is to encourage all parties involved in the Gulf crab fishery to keep talking, and agree to a plan they believe will benefit everyone involved.

If parties will not do this, and information can be shown that proves the arrangement is either harmful to the resource or to a productive fishery, I will consider implementing reasonable solutions that I believe are in the best interests of everyone involved.