Clearwater fishermen to be laid off

Dozens of Nova Scotia fishermen will be out of work next month because a large scallop haul is exhausting this year's quota.

The fishermen work for Clearwater Seafoods. The catches off George's Bank on the south coast were higher than usual. The problem was compounded because the quota had been lowered by 23 per cent in 2012 for conservation reasons.

Clearwater CEO Ian Smith said the 39-metre Atlantic Preserver will be idled after a trip in June.

"We have had to make a decision to tie up one of our boats," he said.

'There might be evidence ... to significantly increase the quota next year.' —Ian Smith

Bedford-based Clearwater is one of eight companies fishing in the area.

The crew of Atlantic Preserver heard about their pending layoffs this week while returning to Shelburne with a record catch.

"We will run out of catch faster than anticipated because they are catching what is allowed to be caught quicker. It's happening for everyone," Smith said.

Crew may be reassigned

The two other boats in Clearwater's Nova Scotia scallop fleet, Atlantic Protector and Atlantic Guardian, will fish Clearwater's remaining share of the offshore scallop quota. Some of the Atlantic Preserver crew will find work on those vessels, but as many as 40 will be laid off.

"We will look to place those crew members with other vessels. And then obviously, if there is a need for employment insurance during the hiatus of fishing, then we will work collaboratively with the union and the employees to make sure they are able to get their benefits," Smith said.

Smith said that for several years the area had been producing fewer and smaller scallops.

Last year showed an abundance of smaller scallops and the quota was cut to give them a chance to reach commercial harvesting size.

• 4,500 tonnes of scallops was the quota in 2011
• 3,500 tonnes of scallops was the quota in 2012

Given the large harvests so far this year, Clearwater is advocating for an increase to the quota. A change would require scientific surveys, talks with other industry players and the consent of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"There might be evidence and science-based reasons for us to significantly increase the quota next year. And we expect to be fishing all of our boats," Smith said.