P.E.I. oyster fishermen protest lack of buyers

About two dozen oyster fishermen gathered in Lower Bedeque,P.E.I., to protest a lack of buyers this season.

Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, says about 100 wild oyster fishermen are without buyers.

"We got to put faith that the federal government that said that they'd have financial help there for us is going to be there," he said.

He said in his 42 years fishing, it's the first time he has been unable to sell his catch. He said the market is being hit hard byCOVID-19.

MacLeod said the price is down as well. Last year oysters were going for about $70 a box.This year a box is going for about $60.

'Don't feel right'

In mid-May, Ottawa announced $470 million infederal support for fish harvesters negatively affected by COVID-19. The program is meant for thoseineligible for financial aid already released by Ottawa.

The package includesbenefits to cover somelosses for eligible fish harvesters.

"I just hope that what is promised from the federal government comes through," MacLeodsaid, adding he would like to hear more details about the program.

Oyster fisherman Mike Banks said he isn't sure whetherfederal governmentfundingwill be enough.

"I don't know what it would take," he said.

Banks has a buyer for his oysters, but he wasn't on the water Monday. He said he was on shore to support those who don't have a buyer for the season.

"I don't feel right going out and fishing when all my friends, they can't sell theirs," he said.

"I don't think it is right for me to go out and fish and he got to sit home."

Banks saidthe season should have been cancelled altogether.

'Not really fair'

MacLeod said the association was askedby Fisheries and Oceans Canadato take a vote on whetherfishermen wanted to delay the season back in April. The association voted twice to delaypushing the start date to June 1, MacLeod said.

He said another vote was taken about a week ago with a new option to cancel the season due to weak markets.

"There were 202 fishers voted," he said. "Out of the 202 that did vote there was 55 voted to open the season 46 voted to delay the season to the 15th and 101 voted to cancel the season."

MacLeod said that meant a tie.

"DFO opened the season and as an association we have to respect that," he said.

Cody Gallant has been oyster fishing for the last three years. He said he went out to fish oysters Monday morning before he knew others were gathering, so he pulled his boat ashore in solidarity.

"To me it's not really fair, some of us can fish and some of us can't and you know, that's why I am shutting down right now," he said.

"A lot of these guys I've known since I was a little kid," Bankssaid. "We are a small group of people and we kind of stick together."

MacLeod said he has no problem with those who are fishing.

"The ones that are fishing that's good, I'm glad it is good to see people fishing," he said.

"On the other hand, there are people who don't have buyers that have to stay on the shore and that is hard for some of them to accept."

CBC reached out to businesses that buy wild oysters and the provincial Fisheries Department, but did not hear back.

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