Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan says all Area 12 snow crab fishers should start their season at the same time in 2021.

She sees it as a question of equity among the fleets in the area, even if it is a quota fishery.

Here is Minister Jordan: 

The minister welcomes the measures to protect right whales as there have been no sightings, or deaths, of the endangered mammals in Canadian waters.

On the other hand, the spokesperson for the Islands' traditional crab fishermen, Paul Boudreau, reiterated last week the importance of granting local fishermen permission to begin their season as soon as ice conditions permit, in order to avoid interactions with the whales.

Quebec crab fishers should now be able to convince their counterparts in Area 12 in New Brunswick, many of whom are often trapped in the ice until May, to recommend to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans a deferred opening at the opening committee meetings next spring.