Lobster fishery restrictions imposed to safeguard access to U.S. market: LeBlanc

The federal fisheries minister made his case Friday to lobster fishermen that rules aimed at protecting the endangered right whale should remain — with the alternative being a “disastrous” loss of access to the American market.

Representatives of lobster harvesters met with Dominic LeBlanc in New Brunswick to argue some of the newly imposed fishing restrictions make no sense and could have a devastating impact on their lucrative industry.

Carl Allen of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union had said his members are worried the strict measures will result in significantly lower catches if certain areas are closed due to the presence of the imperilled whales. The union asked for the emergency meeting with LeBlanc just ahead of Monday’s season opening.

After the meeting, LeBlanc emerged to say the restrictions on fishing near whales are essential as there’s a risk American agencies might restrict Canadian access to vital U.S. markets if they’re changed.

“There is a building pressure in the United States and globally to look at the sustainability in the Canadian fishery in light of the death of North Atlantic right whales last year,” the minister said. “I cannot as federal fisheries minister ... make decisions that would be insensitive to that.”

“I don’t have to wait for somebody to tell me, ‘Guess what, on a certain date you’ve lost access to the U.S. market’ to take every measure that I can to prevent that disastrous moment from coming, and that’s exactly what these measures are.”

Asked by reporters about who in the United States is suggesting trade restrictions, LeBlanc said members of Congress have been writing to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.