Fishermen astonished by lack of budget support

P.E.I. fishermen are expressing astonishment at the lack of support funding for the marine fishery in this year’s provincial budget.

“Twenty-five thousand dollars a year for four years for an undefined lobster support program and a new truck for the department under capital expenditures doesn’t do much for the industry,” said Ron Caissie, president of the PEI Fishermen’s Association. “We’re truly disappointed with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture receiving the lowest amount of support funding of any provincial department.”

Press reports suggested that the fishing industry would have to wait for an upcoming announcement from the federal government to see what sort of support it might expect.

“We are aware of no major announcements planned by the federal government for fisheries,” said Ed Frenette, executive director of the association. “There was previous discussion on support funding to battle the tunicate problem, but there has been no indication of anything further.”

Tunicates are invasive species that are causing serious problems to the mussel industry.

“Fishermen were hoping to hear a progressive approach to solving some of the serious issues facing our industry,” Caissie added. “Initiatives such as habitat enhancement for the marine fishery, increased scientific research on lobster and other species, improved market intelligence available to the industry, approaches to stabilizing shore prices and expansion of the low interest loan program were some of the things we were hoping to see in this budget. Instead, we have next to nothing.”

Craig Avery, president of the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association and Treasurer of the PEIFA said the association is more than willing to work with the province to enhance the industry.

“For years we have been seeking an approach to licence rationalization with input from both federal and provincial sources. A combined effort of the province and the PEIFA could do a lot to pressure the federal government to participate in a program to secure the future of our multi-species-fishery Island wide,” he said. “That sort of innovation is sadly missing from this budget document.”

Frenette pointed out that the fishing industry is not in better shape than agriculture in the province. He said the industries are facing similar problems, including increasing capitalization and corporate concentration, rising costs of production, lowering returns and primary producers facing serious financial difficulty.

“Add to that, climate change and the changes in our oceans affecting traditional fish stocks and our rural way of life is in jeopardy. As go our primary industries, so goes the provincial economy. In that sense, we are one Island community.” he remarked. “There must be a concentrated effort to look ahead and address issues before it’s too late. The Speech from the Throne and this budget did nothing of the sort for the fishing industry.”