P.E.I. lobster fishermen want exemption from new gear rule aimed at protecting whales

Island lobster fishermen should be be exempt from using gear designed to break free in the event of a whale entanglement, according to the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association (PEIFA).

The PEIFAwrote a letter to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans(DFO) to request lobster fishermenbe exempt from new rules, which are expected to become mandatory by the end of 2022.

The group says sighting data shows the endangered North Atlantic right whale is rarely in P.E.I. lobster fishing grounds.

"They're not typically transiting near P.E.I. or feeding near P.E.I.," said Melanie Giffin,a marine biologistwith thePEIFA.

"Historically there's never been a documented case of a North Atlantic right whale being entangled in Prince Edward Island lobster fishing gear," she said.

"We know in P.E.I. the risk is lower than in other areas."

Giffin said there would still be protections if a whale was spotted in P.E.I. waters, and fishing areas would still close.

Protection plan announced recently

DFOannounced its protection plan for North Atlantic right whales Thursday.

Rules include speed restrictions, regulations around closing fishing areas, and the use of break-free gear that would snap freefrom a whale.

No right whaledeaths were reported in Canadian waters in 2020, but from 2017-2019, a total of 20 dead right whales were found.

Gear requirements delayed

The new rules were supposed to be in place by the end of 2021, but officials withDFO said testing of the new fishing gear and phasing-in the new rules has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gear will now be required by the end of 2022.

"Harvesters were unable to do the level of testing we would have wanted," said Adam Burns, director general of fisheries resource management for DFO.

He said fishermen and officials need more time to study break-free equipment.

"We want to make sure that we're consulting with industry and getting their views,"

Problems with break-free gear during testing

Giffin said lobster fishermen based out of Miminegashtested some of the specialty break-free gear last year but it didn't go well.

"You could see the first day with the first haul of traps, it didn't perform the way we were hoping," Giffin said.

She said the specialized rope stretched too much and crews were concerned about their safety using it and felt there was risk of losing gear in the water.

"If it stretches out too much the fear becomes that it's just going tosnap," she said.

"I think the postponement is good for everyone involved."

She said it's good to have more time for DFO to study the issue and for fishermen to preparefor any upcoming changes.

"Until there is some more scientific evidence that shows the lobster fishers on P.E.I.pose a big risk to the North Atlantic right whales, we do feel like there could be an exemption in place,"Giffin said.

She saidthey have not received aresponse yet from DFO.

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