P.E.I. shellfishermen say private docks interfere with livelihood

Fishermen who harvest wild shellfish say an increase in docks has made it tough to harvest in places and made it more dangerous to be out on the water.

George Dowdlesays private docks are interfering with thosewho harvestwild shellfish and fish other species in P.E.I.

He is frustrated with the increase in docksaround his fishing area on the Southwest River, but said it's a problem in many different waterways.

"People are trying to make a living and sometimes their pleasure costs other people a significant amount of money," Dowdle said.

"For the last number of years there's been more and more docks go in," he said.

He said the docks can not only be tough to navigate a boat around, but they also can end up right overtop a live clam or oyster bed.

"It's taking away from our living," he said.

Shellfish Association hearing complaints

Bob MacLeod, president ofthe P.E.I. Shellfish Association, said he's heardcomplaints from fishermen about their areas being affected.He said about 500fishermen make their living in this way in P.E.I.

"There's should be some regulations put in place so everybody can get along," he said.

He said soft shell clam beds have been damaged by machines used to put docks in and he believes many docks are over oyster beds.

MacLeodalso said the docks and ropes used with them can be a hazard.

"I think education will go a long way," he said.

A risk and hazard

Dowdle said there's a lack of regulations and respect for thoseworking out on the water. He fishes oysters, clams, green eel and smeltsin the wild fishery, along withoysters and clams in aquaculture.

He said just because someone owns shorefront property, it doesn't mean theyshould automatically be allowed to put a dock out.He also said sometimes dock owners are leaving large unmarkedcement anchors out after the docks are brought in for the season, which boats can run into.

It's a constant run-around. No one wants to take responsibility or accountability. George Dowdle

Dowdle hit one last fall, after a dock was taken in.

"It almost took the lower unit right off my outboard," he said. "It was a half barrel of cement that was only about sixinches below the water line," he said.

Dowdlesaid the docks also push fishing further out as they pose a greater risk of contamination.

"Every time a new dock comes in there's a risk," Dowdle said.

'Let's get it sorted out'

Local MP Wayne Easter wrote to various federal and provincial officials to voice his concern over the docks.

"The aquaculture fishermen and oyster fishermen are worried about their livelihoods," Easter told CBC News.

"Transport Canada has responsibility for anchorage. DFO has some responsibility," he said. "Let's get it sorted out so everybody knows where they stand."

Easter said hewantsto protect fishermen, recreational boaters and land owners, and he hopesto organize a meeting in the near future tofigure out a solution.

Dowdle said he's asked several federal departments for help to get answers, but hasn't had much luck over many years of asking.

He said the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Transportation should be more involved.

"It's a constant run-around. No one wants to take responsibility or accountability," Dowdle said.

In an emailed response to CBC News, Transport Canada said the Southwest River does not come under its jurisdiction, but part of the river is considered to be Atlantic Ocean, which does. The docks and wharves in that part of the river may require approval.

Transport Canada saiditwould conduct inspections along the Southwest River under the Navigation Protection Program to assess any impacts on navigation, afterinter-provincial COVID travel restrictions ease.

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