Federal fisheries minister does about-face on unpopular baby eel quota redistribution
Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier has made the decision to shelve a controversial proposal that would have redistributed baby eel quota from longtime licence holders to their employees. The proposal, announced in December as a “pilot project,” aimed to shift 27 per cent of the Maritime catch of approximately 10,000 kilograms of baby eels, known as elvers, from nine commercial licence holders to 120 individuals who would operate independently.
Each of the 120 recipients, who were previous employees of the commercial licence holders, would have been granted the right to catch 22 kilograms of elvers in rivers during the upcoming spring season. The price for a kilogram of elvers has varied over the years, reaching as high as $3,000 but dropping to around $1,000 in 2020.
However, many of the fishers set to receive the quota expressed concerns about the proposal, stating that they preferred being employees and would feel less secure operating their own businesses. In response to the feedback received, Minister Lebouthillier announced that the 2025 elver season would not include the pilot program.
Stanley King, a manager at Atlantic Elver Fishery Ltd., one of the nine licence holders, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating, “We’re tremendously happy with the decision.” Similarly, Darren Johnson, an elver fisher who worked for licence holder Neptune Canada Ltd., welcomed the news, as he had no interest in running his own business and investing in expensive equipment.
The Canadian Committee for a Sustainable Eel Fishery, representing five of the commercial licence holders, also expressed relief at the decision. However, the group noted that the minister has not altered a separate plan to transfer approximately half of the quota to Indigenous fishers without compensation for the original licence holders.
As the industry prepares for the upcoming season, many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the allocation of river systems. King emphasized the importance of swift decision-making by the government to allow for proper planning.
Meanwhile, the Association of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs outlined an alternative model for managing the Indigenous quota, proposing a distribution of the quota across multiple communities to ensure fair access and reduce conflicts with non-Indigenous participants. The chiefs are calling on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to support Mi’kmaw communities in building infrastructure, knowledge, and governance for the fishery’s long-term sustainability.
In conclusion, the decision to shelve the controversial quota redistribution proposal has been met with approval from various stakeholders in the industry. As preparations continue for the upcoming elver season, industry players are hopeful for clear guidance and support from the government to facilitate a smooth and sustainable fishing operation.
