Tag Archives: Minister LeBlanc

Premier Horgan sends letter to federal Fisheries Minister urging discussions over fisheries closure

B.C. premier John Horgan is urging the Federal Fisheries Minister to meet to discuss problems with using fishing bans to boost Chinook salmon stocks to protect the 75 remaining Southern Resident orcas. The closure of salmon fisheries in areas including parts of Juan De Fuca Strait from Sooke to Port Renfrew, the southern Gulf Islands and the mouth of the Fraser River took effect on June 1st. Details vary for each area, but in many cases, recreational fin fishing is completely banned in the areas until Sept. 30, while commercial fishing for all salmon is banned. It is possible the fisheries closures could be extended to more coastal areas on Vancouver Island. >click to read<10:22

New DFO orders ‘hard pill to swallow’ for N.B. lobster fishermen

Lobster fishermen off the coast of Miscou Island, N.B., will spend Sunday morning hauling gear from the waters in order to comply with the latest fishing zone closures imposed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. On Friday afternoon, the DFO re-opened four areas previously closed to fishing due to the presence of right whales. But with more closures being imposed on Sunday, frustrations continue to mount. Carl Allen, president of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, organized the most recent protest and met with LeBlanc on Friday.,,”I have a lot of respect for Minister LeBlanc, but we just don’t agree with the basis of the whole plan — it’s a hard pill to swallow,” he said.,, LeBlanc did offer the fishermen an alternative, however. He offered a paid training program for crew members and plant workers affected by these closures. >click to read<18:20