The president of a group that represents lobster fishermen in LFA 34 is confident the industry will be compliant with new regulations imposed by the U.S.
The American’s new seafood import rules are designed to minimize harm to marine mammals and affect all seafood imports.
As of April 10, countries had to submit a list of measures in place to limit by-catch and gear entanglements with whales, turtles, porpoises and seals.
But Bernie Berry of the Coldwater Lobster Association also says the industry has more questions than answers right now.
He says they don’t know when the U-S will indicate which fisheries are compliant and which are not.
“We think that the lobster fishery, especially in LFA 34, is compliant with their marine mammal protection, mainly because very little interaction with fishing gear and whales for instance, because we don’t fish in summer and fall.
Berry says while fishermen in LFA 34 believe they’re compliant, if the Americans determine they are not, then it could mean a change of gear type, which would be very expensive.
“The Americans will, on a case-by case basis, see if a particular fishery is compliant with their standard. I don’t know how long it will be before they get back to us. It’s kind of a waiting game.”
