Lobster fishermen protest outside Miramichi MP's office, demand bailout

More than 100 lobster fishermen protested in Miramichi, N.B.,on Tuesday afternoon, demanding financial help from the provincial and federal governments to keep them afloat during the economic crisis.

'It's going to be sad, we're going to lose the lobster industry in Atlantic Canada.' Andre Martin, president, Maritime Fishermen's Union

The lobster fishermen who would normally be on the wharf on a sunny May afternoon were protesting outside of Miramichi MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon's constituency office.

The fishermensay the global economic downturn is hitting them hard. And the protesters say they're being ignored while other industries are receiving government bailouts.

Many of the protesterscrammed into the Miramichi MP's office, carrying placards and voicing their concerns.

Andre Martin, the president of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, said the situation is dire for people who make their livelihood in the lobster industry.

"If we don't get short-term solutions, don't get help, stimulus package of some sort, we're not going to be here next year," Martin said.

"It's going to be sad, we're going to lose the lobster industry in Atlantic Canada."

Martin said this year's prices of less than $3 a pound are below the break-even point and among the worst in decades.

He said low revenues will mean many fishermen won't qualify for employment insurance.

MP to take protesters' concerns to Parliament

O'Neill-Gordon listened to the fishermen, then promised to take their concerns to Parliament.

"I am of the impression that our government is looking at it and I will go back with more requests and concerns to express."

Serge Shippley, a fisherman, said he's close to going bankrupt and he's not convinced that what he heard from his MP will help.

"She says she's going to pass the message, but I don't think they're going to listen," Shippley said.

The fishermen said they'll give O'Neill-Gordon one week to act on her promise, but if they don't get help, they'll be back to protest again.

Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea said on Saturday in Moncton that providing Maritimes lobster fishermen with subsidies in this time of low prices would violate Canada's trade agreement with the United States.

Instead, Shea said, the industry needs to be revamped to include more efforts in publicity and marketing of Atlantic lobster.