DRAFT SYNOPSIS
Public Consultation - Port au Choix, April 3, 2001

Foreword

The Atlantic Fisheries Policy Review (AFPR) is being undertaken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to develop a consistent and cohesive policy framework for the management of Canada’s East Coast fish stocks. The process of the review includes consultations with provinces/territories, aboriginal interests, the fishing industry, and other interested parties.

The work of the AFPR is being done in two phases: Phase I will produce a policy framework, which will address the questions: What do we want to achieve in fisheries management over the long term? What are our objectives and principles? Phase II will establish priorities and begin to operationalize elements from the policy framework (developed in Phase I), and will answer the question: How do we get there?

The purpose of the public consultations held in March and April was to receive comments and feedback about Phase I of the policy review – the development of a policy framework. A discussion document "The Management of Fisheries on Canada’s Atlantic Coast – A Discussion Document on Policy Direction and Principles" was prepared by DFO. The document which sought to provide a focus for stakeholder input on policy directions and options, was used to guide the round of public consultations held across Atlantic Canada.

The discussion document outlines broad objectives and proposes several principles centred around four main policy themes: conservation, economic and social viability, access and allocations and governance. It also contains a section on roles and responsibilities, which clarifies DFO’s role with respect to other federal departments and agencies, other governments, the commercial industry, and other resource users.

The document was released on February 7, 2001, and distributed to stakeholder groups and others who had indicated an interest in the Review process. In addition, a brochure, which summarized the document, was mailed to every commercial fisheries licence holder in Newfoundland, the Maritimes, Quebec and Nunavut (65,000 copies).

The 19 public consultation sessions held throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Nunavut in March and April, 2001, were open to all and a broad cross section of those with an interest in the Atlantic fisheries came to the sessions and expressed their views.

The same format was followed at each meeting. The meeting began with a brief discussion about the purpose of the meeting and the agenda for the consultation. This was followed by a short presentation which summarized the discussion document. Registered speakers who indicated they would like to make formal presentations were next to speak. Finally, a round table discussion on the four policy themes was held, followed by a brief discussion on next steps including options for additional input.

We indicated that written summaries of the 19 public consultation sessions would be provided to those who attended the meeting and who had signed our registration sheet. This report honours that commitment. The summaries are divided into three parts. First, re-occurring issues or themes from the public meeting which include comments from the formal presentations and round table discussions are provided. The themes are included for ease of reference and should not be interpreted as having more importance than individual comments. Second, a list of speakers who made formal presentations and the highlights of their presentations are noted. Third, a summary of the comments provided during the round table discussion organized by policy themes, is also provided.

In addition to holding public consultation sessions, we invited groups and individuals to submit written comments on the discussion document (with a deadline of May 31, 2001).

Fisheries and Oceans
August 2001

Themes arising from the Session
Port au Choix, April 3, 2001

• While some feel that disputes between fleets should be settled by DFO, others supported an arms-length mechanism.
• Historical access and allocation decisions were unfair and continue to cause problems among fleet sectors.
• There needs to be more cooperation among fishermen.
• While there is an interest in being part of the decision-making process, there is concern that self-interest and divisions among the fleets will predominate.

Registered Speakers

• Holly Patey, River of Ponds Harbour Authority
• Deputy Mayor Priscilla Boutcher, NLFM

(Neither speaker was able to attend, but they did table copies of their presentations)

What we heard:

Conservation

• If conservation is left to fishermen who are running their own business, they will act out of self-interest, DFO should retain its responsibility for conservation.
• DFO needs to play a stronger role in enforcement by setting regulations and focussing its role on conservation and enforcement.
• The most important concern should be the sustainability of the resource, all must work together to achieve this.

Economic and Social Viability

• We need a mechanism to allow for the review of policies that were set long ago, with minimal consultation, involving boundaries, licence concentration, access and allocation (particularly resource sharing).
• We have to find a common ground to address the inequitable sharing of the resource that currently exists.
• The onus should be on the commercial fishermen to support their community, particularly those fishing for sedentary species.
• Other federal departments and other levels of government are responsible for the health of fishery dependent communities.

Access and Allocations

• Some of the allocation policies are 20 years old, we have crab on our doorstep but no access to it.
• We need a framework that is beneficial to all parties involved but it must be fair because right now the gaps are widening depending on the licences you hold.
• We have to be more understanding of the needs of other fishermen, we should be able to change as the resource does, we have to be able to find a way to spread the wealth and the resource among the commercial harvesters.
• Over the years there has been conflict among the three fleets along the coast, the small boat fleet feels that it has been left our of the decision making process partly due to the lobbying abilities of the larger boat fleets.
• There are so many conflicts between the boat sectors that people outside the fishery would probably make better decisions because they have no interest in the outcome.
• The Union is wearing three hats which makes it difficult to represent all our interests.
• Fishermen should first try to work out their differences, then if they are unable to reach agreement, a third party, independent dispute settlement mechanism with clear guidelines, is supported.
• DFO needs to do a better job of communicating its policies and should explain its regulations in a language that all can understand.
• There should be clear access criteria for the aquaculture industry too.

Governance

• Excellent! We have been asking for years to be involved, we need consistent, synchronized planning because we have a long way to go and much history to overcome before it can be realized (particularly the lack of attention paid to advice given by fishermen).
• Any move in this direction will require a greater investment by DFO in science and enforcement.
• We have tried to structure our fishery, then DFO comes back with a policy that is completely the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish and goes against the advice we have given. It is not encouraging to give advice and not be able to see the results of our input into the process, it discourages us from participating in the process.
• Right now we feel our hands are tied, policies are being made without consultation with the fishermen. It is hard to enforce if there is no buy-in.
• There should be one set of rules for the Gulf fisheries, right now a groundfish licence in Newfoundland allows for fishing for different species than a licence held by a Quebec fisherman (lumpfish was the example).
• We have to deal with 2 levels of government (federal and provincial) which can be difficult.
• Given the diversity of groups and fishing gear, there is a lot of work ahead.
• There is no indication that DFO is listening to fishermen.