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This report can be downloaded at: http://senate-senat.ca/pofo-e.asp.

Hard copies of this document are also available by contacting the Senate Committees Directorate at 613-990-0088 or by email at [email protected].

CONTENTS

MEMBERS ORDER OF REFERENCE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS INTRODUCTION ...... 1 THE LOBSTER SECTOR...... 3 A. Biology ...... 3 B. Fishery ...... 6 C. Value Chain ...... 13 RECENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ...... 16 A. Community Adjustment Fund – Lobster Initiative ...... 16 B. Short-Term Transitional Measures ...... 18 C. Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures ...... 19 D. Lobster Council of Canada ...... 21 SUSTAINING CHANGE ...... 23 A. Rationalization of the Fishery ...... 23 B. An Industry-Driven Organization ...... 26 C. Work on Quality ...... 28 D. Work Towards Traceability and Certification ...... 29 E. The Need to Address Some Fishery Management Issues: Carapace Size and Fishing Season ...... 31 F. Supporting the First Nations Lobster Fishery ...... 36 G. Fostering Research ...... 37 H. Issues Related to Aquaculture ...... 39 I. Issues Related to Employment in the Lobster Industry ...... 41 CONCLUSION ...... 43 APPENDIX A: LOBSTER – INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY TABLE ...... i APPENDIX B: WITNESSES ...... iv APPENDIX C: BRIEFS AND CORRESPONDENCE ...... vii

MEMBERS

THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS

Current members of the Committee:

The Honourable , Chair The Honourable Elizabeth Hubley, Deputy Chair

and

The Honourable Senators:

Lynn Beyak James S. Cowan Mac Harb Thomas Johnson McInnis Rose-May Poirier Nancy Greene Raine Carolyn Stewart Olsen Charlie Watt David Wells

Ex officio members of the Committee:

The Honourable Senators James S. Cowan (or Claudette Tardif) and Marjory LeBreton, P.C. (or ).

Other Senators who have participated from time to time to this study: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Cochrane, Cordy, Enverga, MacDonald, Martin, Oliver, Patterson, Poy and Unger.

STAFF MEMBERS

Analyst from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament: Odette Madore

Committee Clerk: Danielle Labonté

ORDER OF REFERENCE

Extract from the Journals of the Senate, Thursday, March 8, 2012:

The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to examine and report on the lobster fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the Second Session of the Fortieth Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee report from time to time to the Senate but no later than March 31, 2013, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until June 30, 2013.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Extract from the Journals of the Senate, Monday, March 25, 2013:

The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meredith:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on March 8, 2012, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in relation to its study on the lobster fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec be extended from March 31, 2013 to May 31, 2013.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Gary W. O'Brien

Clerk of the Senate

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Lobster is the most lucrative fishery in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, with landings valued at some $620 million and exports generating over $1 billion.