Nova Scotia's offshore northern shrimp trawlers have had their quotas cut by 53 percent after the federal fisheries minister reduced allocations and allowable catches in the stock. With landings already on a downward trend, there are mounting concerns on the ground about what this latest setback means for the industry.
The total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2016-17 season in Area 6, off northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador, will be 27,825 metric tons (MT), a 42 percent cut compared to the last season.
For offshore trawlers, the quota is only 23 percent of the TAC, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). About 70 percent of the quota will go to the inshore fleet.
The move represent a total quota cut of about 53 percent, according to the Canadian Association of Prawn Producers (CAPP).
While quota cuts were expected, given the declining shrimp stock in the region that showed a decrease of 41 percent from 2014 to 2015, CAPP said it was hoping officials would make an evidence-based decision in the best long-term interests of Atlantic Canadians.
CAPP also anticipates shrimp prices will continue to rise as a result of the declining supply.
The offshore northern shrimp fishery is worth CAD 131 million (USD 99.6 million, EUR 90.8 million).
Earlier this month, the "Last In, First Out" (LIFO) policy for the northern shrimp fishery was scrapped. LIFO was introduced in 1997 when Ottawa allowed N.L.'s inshore fleet into the fishery, and it meant the last boats entering the waters were the first to lose their quota when the quotas were cut. It was designed to protect the larger offshore vessels.
It had been a controversial policy and was the subject of protests by fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador who depended on shrimp for their livelihoods.
