P.E.I. Minister Pleased with Gulf Shrimp Allocation

The allocation has been increased to 426 metric tonnes from the current 263 metric tonnes. As well, the allocation will be a permanent one rather than the year-to-year allocations which had previously been made.

“This is great news for the Prince Edward Island fishery, and is a result of our ongoing requests to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for a higher and permanent allocation,” said Mr. LeClair. “Prince Edward Island fishers have been denied a permanent and viable allocation of Gulf shrimp in spite of repeated requests for access from the Government of Prince Edward Island, the province’s fishery organizations and individual fishers.”

Mr. LeClair said that he looks forward to further discussions with the PEI Fishermen’s Association and the PEI Seafood Processors Association to explore opportunities this allocation may bring to Prince Edward Island.

“I am pleased that the federal minister has agreed to increase our allocation,” said Mr. LeClair. “We will continue to negotiate with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to receive a fair and equitable share of Gulf shrimp, along with other species such as tuna, snow crab and halibut.”

The 2009 Gulf shrimp harvesting plan was announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans this week. The season opened on April 1. The total allowable catch is set at 37,106 metric tonnes. The recent announcement has increased the Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia allocation. Quebec and New Brunswick continue to share more than 80 per cent of the resource.