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Northern shrimp capture. (Photo: DFO)
Provincial committee deems LIFO as unfair
CANADA
Thursday, May 26, 2016, 22:20 (GMT + 9)
Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Northern Shrimp Allocations has recommended that the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) policy be discontinued and the offshore fleet should no longer have access to shrimp fishing area (SFA) 6.
The recommendation was made by the Committee at the public consultation meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Panel carrying out the external review of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ LIFO policy for the Northern shrimp fishery.
“The All-Party Committee has remained steadfast in its position that LIFO is not fair and disproportionately impacts the inshore fishery. It is not used anywhere else in Canadian fisheries and it is imperative that LIFO is abolished in favour of a different arrangement that is a more balanced approach for shrimp resources,” pointed out Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Steve Crocker.
“The All-Party Committee has reviewed LIFO in-depth and our alternative which will see the inshore fleet only having access to SFA 6 ensures the viability of both the inshore and offshore sectors,” the minister added.
In addition, Committee considers that the DFO should provide permanent allocations to all special allocation holders as well as special consideration to established social enterprises.
The entity remains committed to eliminating LIFO in favour of this arrangement, which respects long-standing fisheries allocation principles of adjacency, historical dependency on fishery resources, fleet viability and economic and community development.
"We were pleased to present to the Ministerial Advisory Panel, and express our position that we do not support the LIFO policy, and that a balanced approach which recognizes both the inshore and offshore is important,” stressed Member All-Party Committee and MHA for Cape St. Francis Kevin Parsons.
And he also highlighted that the viability of their rural communities is an important part of these discussions, as is respecting the past and considering resources, future viability and economic development.
The Ministerial Advisory Panel is also holding public consultations throughout the province in Gander, St. Anthony, Mary’s Harbour and Happy Valley-Goose Bay and, as well, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Public meetings have already been held in Iqualuit, Nunavut.
The All-Party Committee encourages anyone interested in this matter to make their views known at one of these public meetings or provide a written submission.
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Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  MPO - Pêches et Océans Canada - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Headquarters)
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