The federal fisheries minister is concerned with the level of unreported landings and sales in the east coast fishing industry.
Diane Lebouthillier says accurate information on harvested resources is critical to making sound management decisions and failing to report, or misreporting, the quantity of fish removed from the water can contribute to declining stocks.
According to current data, the 2021 inshore lobster fishery landed value exceeded $2 billion. While the use of cash in sales is not illegal, she’s concerned with the level of cash sales taking place that are unreported.
DFO is working closely with federal and provincial officials including the CRA and Public Safety Canada to deter cash sales of unreported landings. It is also modernizing its tools to help with the collecting of data through electronic logbooks.