SEA-NL calls for higher shrimp quota

ST. JOHN'S - A Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries group is calling on a federal minister to reverse a recent decision.

In a news release, the Seaward Enterprises Association (SEA-NL) called on the federal fisheries minister to reverse her decision to limit the increase to the 2021 northern shrimp quota off northeastern Newfoundland and southern Labrador.

Ryan Cleary, interim executive director of SEA-NL, claimed the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has stepped outside of their own rule book.

“When those rules aren't followed, it leads to uncertainty, instability and frustration in the fishing industry, particularly, in this case, amongst the province's inshore shrimp fleet,” said Cleary.

The decision made by federal minister for the area known as shrimp fishing area (SFA) 6 institutes a yearover-year limit of 15 per cent to this year's northern shrimp quota, deeming SFA 6 to be a critical zone.

SEA-NL, a newly formed association representing more than 3,000 independent owner-operators, said the difference between a 15 to 40 per cent increase for the quota for Area 6 amounts to 2,072 tonnes for inshore harvesters. Between 2020 and 2021, DFO recorded an increase in the Area 6 spawning stock of 42 per cent, according to the release.

The province's inshore fleet has struggled in the past because of quota decisions similar to DFO'S most recent one, SEA-NL claimed.

“A 40 per (cent) increase in the Area 6 shrimp quota would still only result in a 10 per cent exploitation rate, which is what DFO'S own management plan allows for when a stock is in the critical zone,” said Cleary.

In an effort to overturn the recent decision, Cleary has also written a letter to the minister.

“Enterprise owners are being punished for their sacrifices and Mother Nature's turnaround,” said Cleary.