Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has granted Clearwater Seafoods 100 percent control of the country’s Arctic surf clam fishery.
In 2018, the Canadian government, under previous DFO Minister Dominique LeBlanc, moved to transfer a license for 25 percent of the fishery to a partnership of First Nations. But the deal was undone when it came to light that the partnership was not formed before a mandatory federal deadline and that its leadership had familial ties to LeBlanc.
On 16 March, 2022, DFO Minister Joyce Murray said the government’s goal of increasing Indigenous access to the fishery had been achieved after Clearwater was sold in November 2020 to Premium Brands Inc. and a coalition of seven Mi'kmaq First Nations, and that it will not be continuing with its plan to create a fourth license for the fishery.
“Today's licensing decision provides long-term certainty to communities involved in the Arctic surf clam fishery, and ensures that the significant economic benefits of this fishery continue to flow to Indigenous communities,” Murray said. "The government of Canada is committed to advancing sustainable and collaborative fisheries arrangements with Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish harvesters. I'm pleased that the purchase of Clearwater has increased Indigenous participation in the fishery, and we see the benefits of the Arctic surf clam fishery flowing to Indigenous communities. It's important that we continue to focus on a fishery that benefits Indigenous communities with good jobs across Atlantic Canada, while we work to advance reconciliation."
Canada’s offshore Arctic surf clam fishery is located on the Grand Bank and Banquereau Bank, and operates year-round. Its total allowable catch (TAC) has been set by DFO at 35,699 metric tons (MT), with the Grand Bank TAC totaling 14,756 MT and the Banquereau Bank TAC at 20,943 MT.
"I welcome this decision on behalf of the 450 employees working in the clam business,” Clearwater Seafoods CEO Ian Smith said in a press release. “It provides certainty for the livelihoods of fishers and plant workers as well as recognizing Clearwater’s Mi’kmaq ownership and [Canada’s] Landmark Agreement."
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