The province’s fisheries minister is calling his federal counterpart’s decision to reopen the commercial northern—cod fishery contrary to the advice of department officials—”outrageous.”
Gerry Byrne says Ottawa and Minister Lebouthillier have learned “absolutely nothing” from 32 years of living under a commercial northern cod moratorium.
“Diane Lebouthillier, the federal Liberal government, the federal Liberal MPs, everyone who had a part in this horrible, horrible decision, this ultimately political decision, should be held (to) account.”
The CBC is reporting that documents show that the federal minister ignored the advice of staff and pleas to maintain current catch levels and the limited stewardship fishery.
The documents have been revealed as part of the FFAW’s court challenge to delay the federal government’s management plan for the commercial fishery in 2J3KL until a judicial review is complete.
Mnister Byrne calls the decision a “total misread” of the attitudes and the spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Just the feeling in Ottawa that we only want more fish for the sake of more fish,” says Byrne. “Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are far more responsible, and disciplined and forward-thinking than Ottawa will ever, ever be able to understand.”
Byrne says he province will accept nothing less than joint management of the fishery.