Fishermen's union requests emergency meeting with minister over new lobster rules

The Maritime Fishermen's Union has requested an emergency meeting with Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc before the lobster season starts next week to discuss new measures aimed at protecting endangered North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The union saysthe restrictionsannounced Tuesday, which include closing a large zone off the northeast coast of New Brunswick for the entire season to avoid fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes, could create an economic crisis.

About 200 lobster fishermen will be directly impacted,MFUpresident Carl Allensaid at a newsconference in Shippagan on Wednesday afternoon.

But the number will jump if those fishermen go elsewhere to fish, he said, andpeople who work in processing plants could also be affected.

"Obviously the membership is very frustrated" with the last-minute changes and worried about making ends meet, he said.

"Is this going to lead to, you know, people can't pay their bills, peoplecan't feed their families? Is this going to lead to more people leaving the Acadian Peninsula?"

• New rules sprung on lobster fishermen to protect endangered whales
• Earlier snow crab season, ship speed limits announced to protect North Atlantic right whales
• Ottawa will do whatever it takes to protect right whales, says Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc

Although similar restrictions were announced for snow crab fishermen last month, the lobster fishermen feel the industry is being unfairly targeted, said Allen.

None of the necropsies performed on dead whalesfound last year showed evidence of lobster gear; only snow crab gear, he pointed out.

The unionhopes to find some "middle ground" withthe minister and set up aworking group with the federal department.

LeBlancwalked past reportersin OttawaWednesdayafternoonwhen asked about the issue.

But on Wednesday evening, in an email to CBCNews, department spokeswoman CaroleSaindonsaidthe minister has offered to meet withMFUofficials and other stakeholders to discuss the management measures and "the importance of continuing to work together to protect the North Atlantic right whale."

She did not indicate whether the meeting will be held before the season begins Monday, as requested.

The department willalso continue to work with the industry to develop appropriate systems for lobster rope and buoys for future years, said Saindon.

At least18 North Atlantic right whales have been found dead since last year 12 in Canadian waters and six off the coast of the U.S.

There are only about 450 North Atlantic right whales left in the world.

Necropsies on seven of the carcasses determined four whales died of blunt force trauma from collisionswith ships, and the other three likely died from entanglementsin fishing gear.

Starting April 28,lobster boats won't be able to travel in a "static closure"area off the northeast coast of New Brunswick,close to Miscou and PidgeonHill.

The department says that'swhere 90 per cent of the endangered whales were observed last summer.

The union doesn't dispute that butcontends the northwest corner of that area, which is where lobster fishermen go, should not fall under the static closure. Itis shallower too shallow for whales to forage, said Allen.

The closure will remain in effect until June 30, the end of the season.

Lobster fisherman PierreLarocque, ofPidgeonHill, said itwill hit him hard.

"I take about 25 per cent, 30 per cent of my yearly catch over there and now it's closed."

"We never see whales over there."

Fisheries and Oceans will also implement "dynamic closures" for a minimum of 15 days in areas where a right whale is spotted. The restriction will only belifted after two consecutiveaerial surveillance missions confirm the whales have moved on.

Rope attaching a lobster trap to a primary buoy can no longerremain floating on the water's surface and all lost fishing gear must now be reported.

Lobster fishermenwill also be required to report any interactions with marine mammals, including collisions and entanglements, and to report any live whale sightings.

Atleast 300 lobster fishermengatheredat theInkerman community centre onWednesday morning, before the union's news conference.

The turnout wasunprecedented, according to union officials.

DanielArsenault, who was among those who went, said he's very concerned about the planned and potential closures.

"It doesn't make sense," he said in French before going into the meeting.

Martin Mallet, executive director of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, said Tuesday that lobster fishermen tried to suggest other solutions, such as limiting the number of traps, but fisheries officials didn't listen.

Although the season is scheduled to begin on Monday, fishermen at the wharf in Inkermansaid it could be delayed because of ice.

The buoys are not installed yet either, they added.