Ongoing efforts to address challenges faced by fishermen were the focus of reports delivered during the 38th annual meeting of the Grand Manan Fishermen Association (GMFA) on February 12.
     Following the early closure of the lobster fishery last spring based on one sighting of a right whale, which caused a significant financial loss to fishermen, the association reached an agreement this fall with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on measures to reduce the amount of rope in the water if a right whale is in the area. Under the pilot project, in which only the GMFA is participating, fishermen in deeper water over 30 fathoms, who have more traps on each trawl, will use smaller rope on their end lines, so it can break away if a whale is entangled. Also, the rope to the secondary trailing buoys will be cut off. "These are very practical measures that fishermen can do to take rope out of the water," says Bonnie Morse, project manager of the GMFA. "It's quicker than moving gear out of the water."
     In the GMFA Lobster Committee report, Chair Laurence Cook stated that the whale critical habitat closure last spring had caused a significant hardship for the fleet, with the loss of a million dollars in landings. He also related another effort to reduce the amount of rope in the water. The association has been working on a "ropeless gear" project in which lobster buoys would be on held on the sea floor and released to float to the surface when an acoustic signal is sent from the fishing boat. However, Cook said the technology "is ahead of its time, and considerable work will have to happen if it is to be used commercially in our lobster fishery." He added, "As we demonstrated there are other solutions to the issue of right whale protections, and our sensible adaptations have shown what the industry can and is willing to do."

Harbour overcrowding and other concerns
     In his report, GMFA President Brian Guptill reviewed highlights of the year, including the expansion of the Fundy Marine Service Centre's boatyard. Guptill related that the Harbour Authority has focused on the severe overcrowding at North Head and the movement of fishing vessels to Seal Cove for the grey zone fishery. "The board recently made the difficult decision to restrict access of the movement of aquaculture boats from Seal Cove to North Head this year," he stated. "The situation in North Head is already unbearable, and given the risk to users and their vessels it is too high to continue the accommodation of the aquaculture industry and other boats more transient in nature. While we recognize the importance of aquaculture to the community and as a user of our harbours, the federal government does not when considering infrastructure funding for Small Craft Harbours." The Harbour Authority is working to find a solution to the issue, and the association also continues to advocate for a wharf at Woodwards Cove.
     Guptill stated that scallop fishermen are reporting large quantities of scallops on bottom, but with fishing restricted under the current quotas there is a concern that there could be a "clapper event" -- a mass mortality of scallops, leaving empty shells -- which could have a devastating impact on the fishery. Guptill also related, "The halibut fishery continues to be a success story in community management. There was quota remaining at the end of the summer fishery, which has allowed the fishery to resume this winter."
     The association is involved with a coalition in southern New Brunswick to look at alternative solutions to Marine Protected Areas and continues to work with the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation to protect the independent owner-operator fleet.
     Guptill stated, "The association is continuing to follow the Government of Canada's response to the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act. It appears at this point that drag fisheries such as scallop and our weir fishery are listed as 'exempt' and will not be impacted. Other fixed gear fisheries like trap or longline are listed as 'export' and will need to show what measures each fishery is taking. It is important to remember that this act applies to all marine mammals, not just right whales. There is a deadline this July for Canada to respond to the listing."
     Jackie Walker from Huntsman Marine Science Centre was unable to attend the meeting to provide an overview of marine debris reduction initiatives, but Guptill noted that the association has been participating in the efforts.

Lobster fishery issues
     For the Lobster Sector, Cook relayed that the association was able to delay the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Bycatch Data Project for the area for this fishing season. The association has not wanted to participate in the project because of safety and operational concerns. If fishermen have accurate and completed log books, it will help in addressing DFO's bycatch issues, he noted.
Cook also related the challenges lobster fishermen had faced on the opening day in November because of the weather and because of Lobster Fishing Area 37 being shared by LFA 38 -- Grand Manan -- and LFA 36 -- Fundy North. Four Grand Manan fishermen fell overboard, and one boat with a crew of seven nearly sank in the strong winds. "Our priority in LFA 38 is and must continue to be our safety," he stated. "The safety culture in this district has come a long way due to your persistence and ability to look at all aspects and operate as a community; now we need DFO to do the same."
     Another issue was the boarding of Grand Manan lobster boats in the grey zone last summer by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Cook says following many discussions it became clear that the U.S. agents "were not operating within their boundaries. Those who denied them on boarding their vessel were well within their rights as Canadians; for those who let them board, it was understandable given the fact they were armed and not very friendly. Regardless, the lesson for us is Canadians have every right to be in the zone, and while we are there we are to treat it as if we are in sovereign Canadian waters."

Presentations
     During the meeting, GMFA President Brian Guptill was presented a plaque in recognition of his serving as president for 20 years. A plaque was also to be presented to Laurence Cook, but he was unable to attend as he was receiving treatment for cancer. Cook has served as chair of the Lobster Sector for over 20 years and has been a part of the association for a long time. "His presence was missed," says Morse, adding, "He still comes to the office and has lots of ideas to share with us."
     On February 14, the GMFA showed the film Lobster War: The Fight Over the World's Richest Fishing Grounds about the lobster fishery in the disputed grey zone around Machias Seal Island. Morse notes there has been "a lot of interest" in the film, since parts of it were shot on Grand Manan.