Mr. Speaker, another disaster is looming in the Atlantic fishery as midshore seiners continue to fish herring off the north shore of Prince Edward Island, putting the homing stock in danger and threatening the livelihood of local fishermen.
In 1984 the herring line was moved closer to shore allowing the seiners to fish where they never should have been permitted to fish. It is time for the minister and the government to do the right thing, the right thing for the conservation of the resource, the right thing for local fishermen. It is time to restore the original 25 fathom line.
The inshore herring fishery has been a healthy and valuable resource not only to the families and communities who depend upon it directly, but also to the valuable lobster industry in Prince Edward Island.
Time is running out for the government on this important matter which affects the economy of Prince Edward Island. Islanders need action and they need it now.