P.E.I. Fishermen Demand Higher Halibut Quotas

P.E.I. — Maritime fishermen are asking for larger halibut quotas, arguing fishermen from other provinces have an unfair advantage.

Groups are concerned about the disproportionate allowances between provinces, as P.E.I. fishermen have 1.46 per cent of the quota, while Quebec’s fishermen have 57.7 per cent of the quota of halibut. In addition to questioning the formula to decide quota, groups are asking they receive a more equal share on future quotas.

Increased quotas would have a positive industry impact. “It would put fishermen back to work in that fishery and it would bring prosperity to Prince Edward Island,” Mike McGeoghegan, president of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, told CBC News. “Any time you have more quota, it’s more money. So that’s what we’sre looking at. It is frustrating for us.”

P.E.I. fishermen have already started protesting outside the department of Fisheries and Oceans offices in Westmount, N.S., and four fishermen are in the process of securing a meeting with Keith Ashfield, the federal minister of Fisheries and Oceans.