WGFA bristles at PCFA resolution and fires back with resolution of its own

“If they are going to try to dictate what we do, the North Side, (then) maybe we should be dictating what they do over there. They’re fishing drop traps; they’re fishing traps that are as big as the back of a truck. Maybe it’s time we put a regulation in saying smaller traps and no more drop traps.” Blair LeClair

The Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association has answered the Prince County Fishermen’s Association motion.

Last week the PCFA voted to send a motion to the annual meeting of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association next month, calling on all lobster advisory committees in the province to work towards a uniform lobster carapace size.

Spring lobster fisherman Blair LeClair suggested Monday at the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association AGM that the fall fishermen are trying to tell fishermen in his district what to do.

“If they are going to try to dictate what we do, the North Side, (then) maybe we should be dictating what they do over there,” LeClair said. “They’re fishing drop traps; they’re fishing traps that are as big as the back of a truck. Maybe it’s time we put a regulation in saying smaller traps and no more drop traps.”

LeClair went ahead with a motion calling for no drop traps (single-trap bunches) and for smaller traps. He didn’t specify a size limit.

The motion, seconded by Dennis Gaudet, drew no further discussion. There was a hushed “aye” vote and no one among the close to 50 fishermen in attendance voted against it.

Asked afterwards how serious he is about the resolution, LeClair said, “They shouldn’t be dictating to us what we do. Let them dictate what they do for themselves; that’s my main point.”

Despite allowing the vote, WGFA president Francis Morrissey pointed out he’s not really interested in discussing what other districts do.

“I’m quite happy with what you, the fishermen from Area 24 do for your own area. You’re very easy to work with. Most times you will always come down on the side of conservation,” he said.

Morrissey highlighted the survey carried out last fall in LFA 24, which saw fishermen voting in favour of a one-millimetre size increase in 2018. They also voted in favour of returning all large females over 115 mm, going to a minimum of six-trap bunches by 2019 and having two escape hatches per parlour.

“We wanted to put conservation first,” David Lewis, a member of the WGFA lobster advisory committee, said in explaining why there were four questions on the survey.

He said the proposal was forwarded to the P.E.I. Fisheries Department and to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for consideration. He told members the advisory committee hopes to have the department’s response by early March so fishermen can make the necessary changes to their gear in time for the 2018 spring season.