A herring quota cut isn’t sitting well with the industry.
Earlier this month, Federal fisheries minister Diane Lebouthillier announced a 24 percent drop in the total allowable catch until 2027.
That’s a drop from 21,000 tonnes per season to 16,000.
The government says it’s because the stock is in a ‘critical zone’ due to effects of climate change.
The Herring Science Council for the Bay of Fundy says that doesn’t support data they have, and they were caught off-guard by the decision.
In a release, the council says the stock could be rebuilt by 2030 without the latest cut, and they feel the stock isn’t in the critical zone anymore.
Tim Kaiser owns Scotia Garden Seafoods in Yarmouth, which employs about 60 people for herring.
He says the quota cut will affect many communities.
“It certainly makes you pause on wanting to invest as a business owner. I have a concern that this unnecessary reduction will impact rural areas of Atlantic Canada,” said Kaiser.
He says good jobs will be more difficult to provide.
“It equates to nearly 25 percent less work. Things are expensive, that outcome is just not going to be good.”
The council has requested a meeting with DFO on the issue.
DFO has cut quota in half since 2018, when the stock was given the ‘critical zone’ designation.
In their decision July 5, the department added that they realize the impact this will have on those employed in the fishery, but it’s necessary to help the stock recover and preserve it for future generations.
Herring is also used as bait in lobster and snow crab fisheries.
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