SavingSeaFood - Scallop fishery in northern N.B. suspended

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Scallop fishery in northern N.B. suspended

Gabriel Guitard, a fisherman from the small community of Pointe-Verte roughly 30 kilometres northwest of Bathurst, said the drop in scallops is due to over-fishing. "In the last 10 years there was more fishermen than ever," said Guitard. "There's too many boats for the little area we have." The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has decided to suspend the scallop-fishing season for one season. Ernest Ferguson, department spokesman, said the department will monitor scallop levels in the region over the next year. "A decision was made to stop for a year. And then have a discussion with the union, with the fishermen in 2011 to see what should be done for next year," Ferguson said. Yvon Arseneau, another northern fisherman in Pointe-Verte, said he's pleased the federal fisheries department complied with the local request even if it didn't quite as far as originally proposed. "For once, I think [the Department of] Fisheries and Oceans listened to the fishermen and we're very happy with the decision," Arseneau said. "It seems like people there now are looking for the future of the fishery, and it's good." Read the CBC News story in full

HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act

May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.

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