DFO plan for at-sea observers met with skepticism by lobster fishermen

A federal government proposalto introduce mandatoryat-sea observers on board the southwest Nova Scotia lobster fleet is getting a cold shoulder from representatives of three fisheries groups.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans wants observers to monitor bycatch of cod and cusk caught inadvertently in lobster traps.

Bernie Berry of the Coldwater Lobster Association said the planwould require all fishermen to notify the government every time they plan to leave port a process known as hailing out. Some would be randomly selected to have an observer from an existing monitoring company meet them atthe dock prior to sailing.

"They could have to wait up to six hours which is not workable in a winter fishery where the weather window to get fishing is tight," said Berry.

Berryestimatedthe cost could be about $800 per trip. Hesaid DFO has told fisheries groups the program would begin in the fall of 2018.

1st time for LFA 34

Fisherman Ashton Spinney co-chairs the Lobster Fishing Area 34 advisory committee. Located off the southern tip of Nova Scotia, it is the largest lobster fishing area in Canada with nearly 1,000licence holders.

Spinney declined comment on DFO'sproposal, but confirmed mandatoryat-sea coverage was presented to fishermen this month. He said there is no hard deadline but DFO wants a program in place "as soon as possible."

At-sea observers are routinely used incommercial ground fishing, but this would be the first time forCanada'sbiggest lobster fishing areas from Halifax to the Bay of Fundy.

Beyond acknowledging itwants to see betterbycatchmonitoring in the lobster fishery, DFO has not responded to a CBC request for comment on exactly what it is proposing.

Fishermen to offer'better solution'

Berry and representatives from two other associations the Maritime Fishermen's Union and the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen's Association saidthey will present an alternative to DFO this fall.

"We think we can offer a better solution and do it ourselves, do an at-sea observer program cheaper and less cumbersome to the fishermen," saidBerry.

The fisheries groups invited CBC News to Yarmouthto discuss the DFO proposal and their response. The groups saidtheir plan would use association technicians who would give one or two-day advance notice to fishermen.

"We're hoping to train our own technicians and put on board the boats instead of having a hail-out system. We want nothing to do with that," he said.

He said their own non-profit system would be far cheaper.

Bycatch a 'red herring'

The representatives deny lobster fishing poses any kind of threat to any other species.

"This bycatch is a red herring," saidGraeme Gawnof the Maritime Fishermen'sUnion.

"If anything, we should be an example of how a fishery should be managed. The bycatch is returned alive."

Meeting customers' demands

Colin Sproul of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen's Association saidthere is no doubt bycatch monitoring is coming to the lobster fishery.

"I think this is being driven by market conditions. There is a desire among seafood consumers to see Marine Stewardship Council certification in theirproducts," said Sproul.

"It's something we cannot oppose because it's something customers are demanding."

Berry saidDFO has asked the lobster industry to present its solutions by this fall.

"I think they are interested in our proposals," he said.