East Coast tuna fishermen could get part of U.S. quota

Fishermen from the Atlantic provinces may soon be able to get a portion of the U.S. quota on bluefin tuna for the first time ever, theP.E.I. Fishermen's Association says.

Ed Frenette, the executive director of the association, said negotiations are in the final stages between Canada and the United States to transfer part of the U.S. Atlantic quota to Canadian fishermen in exchange for money that would go towards bluefin tuna research.

"Canada would have access to certain tonnage of existing American quota. Those fish are mobile, of course. They would be caught off Canadian waters by Canadian fishermen," said Ed Frenette, the executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association.

"In return for that quota, there would be a donation made to science on bluefin tuna by monies collected by Canadian fishermen. We're asking a certain amount of money up front, so right now we're asking for, I believe it's $4,000."

The final deal between Canada and the U.S. is expected to be worked out in the next two weeks, Frenette said.

Frenette said his association wants to hear from bluefin tuna fishermen in P.E.I. who are interested in getting in on a portion of the U.S. quota.