Fishing industry says fuel catastrophe is looming

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

With some forecasting a catastrophic outcome, local fisheries representatives from southwestern Nova Scotia have approached the provincial government, asking it to carry out a study on the impact of rising fuel costs on the fishing industry.

Part of the thought process is that if the industry has to turn to government, DFO or others for help in coping with escalating fuel costs, it will need documentation showing the extent of the problem, which some fear may turn into a crisis.

“If it keeps on going like it is, which it likely is going to, the effect on the fishing industry is going to be catastrophic,” Dick Stewart, representing herring and scallop fisheries said at the spring meeting of the Lobster Fishing Area 34 Advisory Committee. “There are going to be people who won’t be able to fish, and there are probably some people who don’t they’re out of business already.”

The three industries – lobster, herring and scallop – have all expressed a desire to be part of the study. On Thursday government representatives will meet with reps of the sectors to determine how to proceed with the study, and what input will be required from fishermen and processors.

Stewart has seen the fuel bills come across his desk and the costs keeps rising. And industry is being hit from other directions too.

“One of the processors, in the case of herring, his cost of shipping went up 40 per cent, his packaging went up 18 per cent. Where do you think the money is going to come to pay for that?” Stewart said, adding, if the expenses go up much more, there will be fishermen who won’t be able to afford to fish.

He’s also asked the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to examine the user fees it applies to industry, although he’s not optimistic of any relief on that front.

Denny Morrow, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fish Packers Association, said aside from fuel costs, the yearly increase in power rates is also having a huge impact.

But perhaps one of the biggest concerns is the future of the ferry in Digby – namely whether the service has a future at all.

Morrow is part of a group that has been working hard to keep the ferry between Digby and Saint John, N.B. operating.

The interim funding that the service received runs out in January and there are no guarantees that the ferry will continue to operate beyond that.

Morrow said if industry has to start traveling increased distances to get its product to U.S. markets, it will be even more expensive and will create many problems beyond just the fuel cost concerns.