Tag Archives: Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell

Fisheries minister casts line to Ottawa for lobster poaching task force

Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says he’s “very concerned” about the possibility of violence related to lobster poaching in southwest Nova Scotia and he’s proposing an idea he says worked in the past. Last week, representatives from several lobster associations raised the issue of poaching on the eve of the season’s close, saying they feared an escalation of tensions that last year saw several boats set on fire and threats exchanged between fishermen. >click to read<14:29

EDITORIAL: It’s time to share marine protection

Nova Scotia has already paid an upfront price for being an environmental pioneer. So it’s time to carefully consider the long-term impact of the aggressive implementation of new environmental measures and policies, including the creation of additional Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) recently announced the boundaries of the new St. Anns Bank Marine Protected Areas, offshore Cape Breton. Roughly 4,400 acres in size, it will be forbidden ground for oil and gas activity. Limited commercial fishing will be allowed on about 25 per cent of the area. MPAs are rightly seen as ocean regenerators, areas in which marine ecosystems can thrive, and fish habitat can be protected.  That’s all good.  What’s puzzling is that little Nova Scotia, with its ocean-dependent economy, is being asked to bear a disproportionate share of the burden for Canada’s MPA initiative.  click here to read the story 12:48

Buyer: Lobster fee deal must involve fishermen

lobsterDM0811_468x521Any belief that a potential lobster marketing fee can move ahead without fishermen from southwestern Nova Scotia was categorically put to rest Monday by a buyer from the region. Terry Zinck was reacting to comments made Thursday by Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell who said any potential agreement on a fee could be reached with buyers only in the province’s largest lobster fishery. Colwell clarified the comment a day later, saying any contribution from lobster buyers and processors would require the support of the entire industry. Read the rest here 10:24

EDITORIAL: A different kettle of …lobster

lobsterDM0811_468x521We’ve supported the idea of a two-cent-per-pound lobster levy since an independent panel recommended it last fall in a report on the fickle Maritime lobster fishery. We even suggested that the Nova Scotia government, in particular, should legislate the levy, even if it couldn’t reach a consensus with lobster fishermen across the province. Read more here 22:57

N.S. group wants answers about lobster levy

863a4ac9dc_64635696_o2The province’s fish packers association says it’s surprised by the new provincial government’s proposed levy on lobster. Marilyn Clark, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fish Packers Association, says she and others heard about it only when the minister announced the plan to collect five cents-a-pound. Read more here 09:06

Quality is key in a lobster sector’s project

863a4ac9dc_64635696_o2Nova Scotia government intends to launch a pilot project this year for lobster fishermen to be paid for the quality of the product that they have caught instead of the size.Read more here  11:06