N.S. Liberals promise to establish inquiry into illegal fishing

The Liberal Party in Nova Scotia has made a bold promise to establish a public inquiry into illegal fishing if they are elected to govern on November 26th. This announcement comes amid growing concerns about the impact of illegal fishing on the province’s lucrative lobster industry.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill outlined the party’s plan, which includes introducing a minimum-fine policy for those caught buying illegally caught lobster. While there is already a maximum fine of $1 million for illegal fishing, Churchill believes that more needs to be done to deter illegal activity. He stated, “We will establish a minimum fine to ensure that everybody who is buying illegal lobsters pays for putting the industry at risk.”

In addition to the public inquiry and minimum-fine policy, the Liberals are also committed to creating a dedicated fisheries enforcement unit and a separate commercial fisheries office. Churchill emphasized the importance of protecting Nova Scotia’s lobster industry, calling it a major economic driver for the province. He pledged to implement a zero-tolerance policy that would revoke licenses for repeat offenders and guarantee penalties for those who break the law.

Illegal lobster fishing has been a contentious issue in southwestern Nova Scotia, where Churchill was campaigning in his home riding of Yarmouth. The region is home to the most lucrative lobster fishery in Canada, and concerns about illegal fishing have been mounting as the fishing season approaches.

Last month, a report from a labor investigator supported claims from federal fisheries officers that heavily armed criminals were posing a threat to their lives. The report highlighted the dangers faced by fisheries officers, who have had to confront armed individuals with ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs while inspecting fishing gear.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Claudia Chender was focused on protecting the province’s coastline from the impacts of climate change during her campaign in the Halifax area. She pledged to reintroduce the shelved Coastal Protection Act, which received all-party support when it was first introduced in 2019 but was not made into law by previous governments.

Chender criticized the Progressive Conservatives’ approach to coastal protection, which relies on property owners and municipalities to oversee protection measures. She argued that without provincial legislation, private developers and wealthy landowners will continue to build seawalls that exacerbate erosion issues.

The Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre has also raised concerns about the government’s approach, describing it as leaving municipalities to deal with a patchwork of rules. The government’s alternative to the Coastal Protection Act includes measures such as an online hazard map for homeowners and financial support for a coastal protection coordinator within the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities.

As the election date approaches, the promises made by the Liberal and NDP parties regarding illegal fishing and coastal protection highlight the importance of these issues for the people of Nova Scotia. Voters will have to weigh the candidates’ proposals and decide who they believe will best protect the province’s natural resources and economy.