NunatuKavut Calls on Government of Canada for Fairness and Equity in Fisheries Management Decisions
NCC issued the following statement today on the anticipated federal management decision on northern shrimp allocations:
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) will soon be announcing its annual management decision on shrimp quotas for Northern Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 4, 5 and 6, which occur predominately off Labrador’s shores. Discussions at a recent Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee (NSAC) meeting indicated that this will include reductions in shrimp allocations. NCC is calling on DFO to take a fair and principled approach to allocations that provides for the incorporation of adjacency, Indigenous rights and cultural attachment.
This was the approach touted by DFO in its recent decision on turbot quota increases in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) fishery zone OB, which went exclusively to Indigenous fishing interests in Nunavut and Nunavik. NCC was extremely disappointed in this decision, hoping that the increase would open the door for NCC and its fishers to have a meaningful presence in the turbot fishery – just as Inuit from Nunavut and Nunavik have enjoyed substantial allocations and quota increases from shrimp being harvested in the waters off NunatuKavut and Labrador. There are also fishing companies outside of the territory that have substantial allocations that have minimized and marginalized NunatuKavut Inuit and other Labrador adjacent fishers.
NCC is now asking DFO to protect the adjacent, Indigenous interests of NunatuKavut Inuit and other Labrador- based quotas in the relevant SFAs. This would ensure a fairer and more equitable application of the fisheries management policy as it relates to Indigenous groups and resources in Canada.
NunatuKavut Inuit are deeply connected to the land, sea and ice that make up NunatuKavut. Our people’s presence in the northern shrimp fishery and other fisheries is vitally important to the livelihood and sustainability of our people and communities. This shrimp allocation decision is an opportunity for the Government of Canada to demonstrate its commitment to advancing reconciliation and a renewed relationship with NunatuKavut Inuit.”
For further information on NCC, please visit www.nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.
Media Contact
Kelly Broomfield, Director of Communications, NCC, 709-280-5965