A former fisheries minister believes France has a much broader purpose in mind than just harvesting some crab off Newfoundland.

The French Government is, unilaterally, proposing to launch an exploratory snow crab fishery on the continental shelf beyond Canada’s 200 mile limit, much to the dismay of Canadian officials.

It’s not the first time that Canada and France, including Saint Pierre et Miquelon off the south coast, have disputed jurisdiction.

Gerry Byrne, who did not run in the last election, says Canada has to do a lot more to protest the actions of France, who he calls the largest player in the European Union.

In 1987, when the French granted exploratory permits off Newfoundland, the federal government formally protested within days.

“It was a formal protest, not an informal one,” says Byrne, “and it has to be a formal one in this case.”

He also says Canada should file a claim with the European Union itself.

Global Affairs Canada is said to be taking the matter “very seriously” according to Minister Joanne Thompson.