Fishermen to request fair halibut allocations

Fishermen are asking the federal government to reconsider P.E.I.'s halibut quota allocation as the fishery opens Tuesday — for a single day only.

Ian MacPherson, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association, said although an allocation review was recently completed, he hopes Keith Ashfield, the federal minister of Fisheries and Oceans, will offer a bigger quota for next year's fishery.

The halibut fishery's quota is based on a model that means the province is allowed to fish a small amount for the amount of licences that are here.

P.E.I. has 890 licences and one per cent of the quota.

By contrast, Quebec has 810 licences and 58 per cent of the quota.

"Halibut is one species that the biomass is starting to increase and there are starting to be more out there," said Ian MacPherson, executive director of the PEIFA.

"You know, although it would be nice to reallocate old allocations, that's always difficult to do. But we would ask that there be a fair share arrangement for any new allocations that comes on board."

Earlier this year, Maritime fishermen lobbied for an increased share by protesting and demanding meetings with Ashfield.