With the spring lobster fishery behind us, it was one many fishers would like to forget. From low prices to declining catches in the Northumberland Strait, many fishers landed their gear early to cut costs and now many will prepare for other fisheries whether it be herring or tuna in the fall.
Recently I sent a letter to The Graphic emphasizing my views of the current government’s handling of the lobster crisis, in particular, the handling by two former and one current fisherman with the Liberals. It was encouraging to see a response by MLA Charles McGeoghegan to Heather Moore’s editorial and my letter, but I see several issues with McGeoghegan’s views that cannot go unaddressed.
McGeoghegan’s letter is an excellent response and I respect his views and opinions. To begin, I agree with McGeoghegan that the Liberals inherited a mess, but he should realize this mess was not inherited yesterday but over 25 months ago. The Liberals campaigned on change and the change in the fishery during their time has only been for the worse. If McGeoghegan felt there was a mess in 2007, I do not know what he would call it now. Islanders voted for the “change” and hoped for the best, but have been punished by what some would consider, the worst governance in Island history. The Liberals mismanagement and ignorance of the lobster fishery have created havoc and I not only worry about the spring fishery in LFA 24 and LFA 26A, but the fall fishery in LFA 25 as it begins in early August. I will be closely monitoring the fall season and hope fishers in the western Strait have a great season.
McGeoghegan’s second claim to fame is the move made by the Liberal government to establish separate ministers for the fisheries and agriculture sectors on Prince Edward Island. Now I do not know whether McGeoghegan was overwhelmed with his arm wrestling career or had his head stuck in the sand but I ask him to look at the state of not only the lobster fishery, but the farm industry on PEI currently. That worked really well didn’t it Charlie? Did I forget to mention how our “separate” fisheries minister, Neil LeClair, stated on CBC Compass that Nova Scotia lobster were superior to Island lobster. LeClair, you have no idea about the fishery and I am appalled you would say that. Who are you representing, Islanders or Nova Scotians? If you feel that way about Island lobsters I would personally ask you to resign from your portfolio but I know you are just another politician at the feed trough.
I would like to thank MLA Jim Bagnall for standing up in the House and questioning LeClair on the comments he made about Island lobster as our three “MLA fishermen” were sleeping and did not stand up for the industry. Instead we have representation like that of Minister Allan Campbell who we see every time we turn the television to Eastlink, shined up sitting behind Mr Ghiz like a clapping seal, smiling and cheering at whatever the issue may be. I will remind Mr Campbell that just because you were awarded a portfolio position and have the word honourable placed in front of your name does not make you an honourable man.
McGeoghegan spoke of the buyback or rationalization program that was initiated by his government. You stated in your letter it was not perfect. Of course it isn’t Charlie. Do you really believe this is sustainable for fishermen in the Strait as many have difficulty making payments on their own gear and licences without the added stress of a fee per pound taken off the top of their catches?
I can understand how a former cigarette salesman and bank teller, Wes Sheridan, might think this would work but Charlie, if you were fishing without the benefits of an MLA salary, you would not think highly of it either and would be the first person advocating against it.
Another thing fishermen have heard from the Ghiz government was the method of starting a round table to deal with issues in the lobster fishery. This is a dire time for fishers and they are more concerned with what they will be putting on their kitchen tables this winter to feed their families than where you guys are spending your time “talking”.
Charlie, I ask you how your government buying any excess lobster will really help out the industry. I criticized your government on this. I understand old Buck was concerned about his son “not being able to sell his catch” and how it “really hit home” but there are more fishermen on PEI than Buck Watts’ son. One thing I found fishy about this, and I would expect you to as well, was the fact Ocean Choice miraculously found space for up to 40,000kg of lobster to store in its Morningstar facility in Victoria after apparently having a glut of lobster which was their reasoning for lower prices.
Second off, what does this do for fishermen in the Northumberland Strait who have low catches? This was just a “Band-Aid” solution and will do nothing for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Since my letter was published, it has been nice to see Allan, Buck and yourself speaking up a bit more. I am enthused to see negotiations with Ocean Choice over the deal with the government beginning but I am leery as well. One thing that strikes me as suspicious is how Ocean Choice came to the table with the offer to renegotiate before the government did. I do not trust Ocean Choice and I definitely do not trust Ocean Choice CEO Blaine Sullivan. Sullivan claims OCI has done so much for Prince Edward Island. Tell that to the fishermen Blaine, or the Island plant workers you sent home. If you honestly believed OCI was good you had prime opportunities to walk down to Souris wharf and tell fishermen that face to face as they came in to sell their catches. I know what kind of response you would have received. Sullivan should open OCI’s books to the public from the beginning of the deal to now so we can see if they were not making a profit.
Ocean Choice represents a dark era for Prince Edward Island. By closing the Beach Point plant and sending local workers home while keeping Russian and Chinese workers on, you have really shown who you care for. I am also nervous with the fact the Island government sent Neil LeClair and Allan Campbell to discuss the deal with OCI. At least send someone with knowledge and an actual “real” fisherman who remembers what it is like to fish day in and day out. No, this does not include you either Charlie, considering fishermen in the Strait do not have the benefits of an MLA salary like yourself.
I am also disappointed with MLA Mike Currie for still believing the deal was a good one. Mike, wake up and listen to what all Island fishermen are saying and what they told you would happen when you and Pat Binns agreed to the deal with OCI years ago.
Charlie, there are so many things in your letter I could have addressed but I do not believe The Graphic has the space for it. You were a strong advocate for the lobster fishery in the Northumberland Strait but you are continuing to fail us. You stated the industry is not in good shape, “but in case you failed to notice, it’s right across the Maritimes, it’s not just on PEI". Charlie, if you were not in government, you would agree with me that the government has not done enough.
You could have done more Charlie, you could have worked harder on behalf of Island fishermen instead of towing the red party line.
As for my absence at the previous PEIFA annual meeting, I was away studying at University and could not afford to make it home due to your government’s neglect of Island students studying away. If you really cared for the lobster fishery on Prince Edward Island like you claim you do you would disconnect yourself from the Liberal Party and resign. This way you may garner some of the respect you have lost. I know you, Buck and Allan are sailing freely on the Liberal boat enjoying the salary that comes along with it but it is time you woke up to reality and did something for us. Actions speak louder then words Charlie. If you do not get off the Liberal boat and wake up to reality, I am sure in 2011 when the Liberal boat finally sinks to the bottom, Island voters will not mind reminding you of why you were put there and will take you out as quickly as you were put in.
ABC in 2011,
Stephen LaPierre,
Souris