Fisheries Department says N.L. shrimp stocks have dropped
by The Canadian Press
The union representing inshore fishermen and plant workers has called for an immediate halt to the fishery
ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The federal government has called for a full stock assessment of northern shrimp off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and southern Labrador.
Sylvie LaPointe, director general of Fisheries Resource Management and chairwoman of the Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee with the Fisheries Department, says preliminary results show stocks in the region have dropped significantly.
As a result, she says federal Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo has called for a full stock assessment.
The area is currently being fished by some offshore freezer trawlers.
The union that represents inshore fishermen and plant workers has called for an immediate halt to the fishery until the stock assessment is completed.
But, LaPointe says the trawlers will continue fishing under the current management plan, which ends March 31.
