LIA Angered at Cuts to Snowcrab Allocations in 2J North.

(Nain, NL.) April 22, 2004.
The Labrador Inuit Association and Torngat Co-op are disappointed and angered with the cuts by DFO to snowcrab allocations in 2J North.

The LIA has taken a 40 per cent cut to its regular communal snowcrab allocation in 2J North. Torngat Co-op has taken a 40 per cent cut to its regular allocation, and its exploratory quota of 40 tonnes has been eliminated.

Only northern Labardor Inuit can fish in 2J North. Tony Andersen, Vice-President of LIA states, “The impact of this cut is devastating to Inuit fishers. It will jeopardize the viability of the Makkovik fish plant, and will affect the plant’s 160 workers. The Makkovik plant depends on the snowcrab to sustain its workforce and Torngat Co-op’s overall fish processing operations.

Keith Watts, General Manager of Torngat Co-op states, “Such a drastic cut will have devastating impacts on Torngat’s overall operation.” Vice-President Andersen states, “LIA is angered and frustrated with these drastic cuts. We do not agree that such drastic cuts are justified in the absence of scientific research in 2J North, particularly when the shrimp trawlers will be permitted to continue to drag our crab fishing grounds. We do not have a shrimp processing plant in northern Labrador, therefore the Makkovik crab processing plant determines the viability of our fishery, particularly the work force who depend solely on this plant for seasonal employment. Further to that, Inuit fishers have financial obligations for vessel repayments which can only be met through adequate allocations of fish to these fishers.

LIA/Torngat Co-op plan to meet with DFO next week to discuss possible alternate arrangements in order to ensure that the Makkovik plant will operate at full capacity for the duration of the 2004 fishing season.

President William Andersen, expresses great disappointment with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. “Last November, LIA asked DFO officials to seek the advice of LIA and to provide the opportunity for alternative arrangements before any decisions are made. We have a number of sensible and serious alternatives that will benefit DFO and our fishers,” said President Andersen, who recently returned from a national meeting with Canada’s Aboriginal leaders. “Prime Minister Paul Martin committed increased consultation and greater participation of Aboriginal groups in decisions on federal programs and issues. We certainly hope DFO delivers on that commitment when we meet.”

The Labrador Inuit Association represents over 5,300 Labrador Inuit. Labrador Inuit live in Northern Labrador, other parts of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.

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Contact: June Perry Communications Director 709-753-0794