Arctic surf clam. (Photo: Clearwater)
Arctic Clam fishery licence cancellation benefits Clearwater
(CANADA, 8/14/2018)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) decided to reverse on a controversial decision to award 25 per cent of the Arctic surf clam quota to a company led by a New Brunswick First Nation and its industry partner.
In February, then fisheries minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the department was handing a licence to Five Nations Clam Company, led by Elsipogtog First Nation and Premium Seafoods of Arichat, Nova Scotia.
The federal government's move faced criticism from rival First Nations who bid on the quota and anger from Clearwater, the Nova Scotia seafood company that had held a monopoly on the fishery and that warned that it would start legal action against the ministry.
Now, the DFO through a statement announced it continues to work to broaden access to Arctic Surf Clam fishery while introducing Indigenous participation in the lucrative fishery and that it will not issue a licence for Five Nations.
The Ministry said that in order to move forward on implementing enhanced access and promoting reconciliation as well as increasing the economic well-being of Indigenous communities, the entity will be launching a new Expression of Interest process to identify a holder for the fourth license for this fishery in the spring of 2019 so that the participant can begin fishing the new license in 2020. An independent third-party will evaluate the submissions, and make recommendations to the DFO.
This new process will once again focus on confirming and validating the specific direct and significant benefits that will flow to Indigenous communities, as well as the proponents’ readiness to implement their submissions.
The announcement was welcomed by the Clearwater, whose sources told CBC News that they are "ready and willing to harvest the 25 per cent of the clam quota for 2018 and 2019 in order to allow the economic benefits to remain in coastal communities while the Minister considers next steps."
The Arctic surf clam is one of the main products produced at Clearwater Seafoods’ processing plant in Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Clearwater employs staff from over 52 communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and expressed concern that without access to the 25 per cent remaining quota "adjustments in their business would have been required.
Rex Matthews, mayor of Grand Bank where Clearwater does most of its processing, said that a 25-per-cent loss in quota would mean cuts to jobs and hours.
Related article:
- Clearwater considering legal actions over surf clam quota allocation
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200 Kents St, 13th Floor, Station 13E228
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Ottawa
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