Kicked in guts - some harvesters

Mildred Skinner, a FFAW/CAW representative in Harbour Breton who earlier this year said that fish harvesters had been slapped in the face by the provincial government, is now saying that some fish harvesters in the province are being kicked in the guts by the federal government.

Ms. Skinner was referring to the federal government's lobster assistance program that is causing a great deal of concern for some fish harvesters and the FFAW/CAW.

According to David Decker, the secretary-treasurer of the FFAW/CAW, harvesters must meet several criteria in order to qualify for assistance.

They must have lobster as 50 per cent or more of their fishing income in 2008, and they had to have lost 25 per cent or more in their lobster income in 2009 as compared to 2008.

The program also requires harvesters to have a minimum fishing income of $2,500 in 2009 and a maximum income of $50,000.

Mr. Decker said that a big problem with the criteria for assistance is the 25 percent drop in lobster income in 2009 as compared to 2008.

"We have some lobster harvesters who were down in 2009 by 23 or 24 per cent of their 2009 lobster landings and will not qualify for any assistance. I know of one case where a lobster harvester would have received $5,000 in the package if he had made $100 less in 2009.

"It's very frustrating for many harvesters who worked side by side with lobster fishermen to not qualify for assistance for the sake of several hundred dollars when their counterparts might be receiving help. It's very difficult to take and understand a package which doesn't offer help to everyone in basically the same situation."

Mr. Decker said that the true marker for the aid package should have been the 2009 lobster landings as compared to the 2007 catches when lobster was about $5 per pound. The lobster catches were about $3 a pound in 2009.

Mr. Decker said that another problem with the criteria is that harvesters who went to work outside the fishery in 2008 will not have the extra income held against them because it was made outside the fishery. However, a lobster harvester who made some extra money in 2008 by staying in the fishery will have that fishing income counted against the aid package.

Mr. Decker said, "We are asking the federal government have another look at their program criteria and to reassess cases on an individual basis that are unfairly falling into this category. This kind of situation can pit family against family and creates a great deal of difficulty for many in fishing season where they have already faced more than enough problems.

"If income outside the fishery is not included in assessing eligibility under this program, then income made by harvesters fishing other species beside lobster should be left out of the process as well. We just want the program to be applied fairly and to make sure it is targeting the people who need assistance the most."