October 15, 2013 — In an unprecedented decision the federal Conservative government is allowing one of the region's largest seafood processors to hire a foreign vessel to catch its Canadian fish quota.
The move is being described as a temporary solution to a shore-based disaster, but it is raising questions for some.
"It sets a dangerous precedent," said outgoing Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau. "I'm amazed. When I look at rural Nova Scotia I see boats tied up because they have no access to resource."
Earlier this month federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea approved a request from Premium Seafoods in Arichat, to use the Icelandic factory freezer trawler Venus to catch and process 1,500 metric tonnes of redfish.
In August the company was hit with a devastating fire that destroyed its processing plant.
That's why the company approached Ottawa looking for an exemption to the rule requiring Canadian vessels to catch Canadian quota, said Premium Seafoods president Edgar Samson.