(as originally published by Saltwire Network February 15, 2024, located here)
The rebounded redfish stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gulf) presents real opportunity for people and communities throughout Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
But in a highly competitive global market, industry needs to be equal parts realistic about the opportunity and focused on achieving it, together.
What are redfish?
Redfish is a slow-growing, long-lived fish. While the number of redfish in the Gulf has significantly increased, it is only recently that the majority of fish have grown to a potentially marketable-size. This growth has laid the foundation for reopening a commercial redfish fishery.
Global redfish markets in 2024 are very different than when the fishery closed in the early 90s. Canadian redfish product forms must include shore-processed fresh and ‘once frozen’ fillets, as well as H&G (head on, gutted) and whole frozen-at-sea markets.
While whole fish in Canadian restaurants is uncommon, that’s primarily how it is consumed in Asia, an important market for redfish.
In Europe, larger fillets with sustainability certifications are required to gain access. That mix of product forms is even more crucial considering Gulf redfish are 24-25 centimetres, while most of the competing global redfish supply is above 40cm.
Key to success
The task for industry is to harvest, process, and market the right-sized redfish to the right markets, in the right product form, at the right time of year.
The more successful industry is at achieving that, the better news for everyone –– including inshore and offshore harvesters who will catch the fish, workers who will process it and communities that will benefit from a strong fishery.
Unfortunately, current conversations are less focused on ‘how to sustainably derive the maximum benefit for Atlantic Canadians and Quebecers’ but instead include continued objections to the minister’s allocation decision by groups arguing for more.
Loss of quota shares
The Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC) has its own concerns.
The offshore sector, which owns and fishes from small, medium, and large boats and operates coastal production plants, developed the commercial redfish fishery. Its historical quota share of Gulf redfish was 78.70 per cent.
Although the sector has been painted by some as a “winner” in the decision, it lost 20 per cent of its share, despite Minister Lebouthillier’s statement that all five affected provinces urged her to respect historic quota shares.
AGC members feel that loss deeply. That includes Indigenous licence holders from seven Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia (N.S.) and Newfoundland and Labrador (N.L.) through their 50 per cent ownership of Clearwater Seafoods.
Collectively, AGC members employ thousands of Atlantic Canadians in primarily year-round jobs with annual payroll for local employees exceeding $200 million. They spend another $400 million on goods and services from local businesses annually and donate millions to community organizations and charities every year.
AGC has lots of offer industry
Despite its concerns, AGC respects government’s goal of increased Indigenous participation in fisheries and continually expresses willingness to help reach those goals.
AGC has also chosen to accept that an almost doubling of quotas for inshore harvesters in N.L., N.S., and Quebec (QC), comes at our expense.
AGC members have a lot to offer the industry as we move closer to a commercial redfish fishery: familiarity with existing and developing markets; willingness to continue to invest in marketing and sustainability requirements; experience harvesting quality redfish in their fleet of vessels that vary in size from 61 feet to 245 feet; and ongoing experience in processing redfish to suit market forms.
That processing experience is held by local employees whether they’re working in existing processing plants in Lower West Pubnico, Digby or Glace Bay, N.S., Fortune, N.L., or on a floating processing plant aboard a locally owned vessel.
Tough but reasonably fair
As president of the AGC, and as someone who has been involved in fisheries from local to international levels for more than two decades, I know that Canadian fisheries are more successful globally and locally when stakeholders work together.
Minister Lebouthillier was tasked with making a challenging decision. It’s often said that if DFO makes a decision that makes everyone unhappy, they probably got it close to right.
AGC has decided to lick its wounds, accept the decision as tough but reasonably fair, and focus on the advisory committee process and eventual commercial fishery.
I challenge industry to respect the decision and focus on working together so that Canada’s redfish fishery can be one of success.
By Sylvie Lapointe
Sylvie Lapointe is the president of the Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC). Previously, she spent 26 years working for the Government of Canada, including two decades at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. She managed fisheries across Canada, chaired high-profile advisory committees in the Atlantic and held many positions within DFO, including assistant deputy minister of Fisheries and Harbour Management.