By atuna.com
American seafood processors are the latest industry group to add their two cents to the ongoing battle surrounding the U.S.-Canada albacore treaty suspension. The West Coast Seafood Processors Association (WCSPA) is “alarmed†at the current no-fishing policy and says the reciprocal agreement “must be renewed this year.†With no access to Canadian albacore an end to the treaty coud possibly reduce the supply to their plants.
“We are alarmed that the Department appears willing to allow the reciprocal fishing regime to elapse, thereby threatening the cooperative relationship we have with Canada and removing economic benefits,†writes WCSPA’s executive director Rod Moore in a letter to the U.S. government’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
The agreement, which expired in Dec. 2011, permitted both countries to catch albacore tuna in their neighbor’s exclusive economic zone. The U.S. suddenly adopted a no-fishing policy in March, ahead of negotiations to renew the treaty.
One of the concerns is Canada’s financial contribution to U.S. ports. Moore says Canadian landings of albacore tuna in U.S. ports have “a small but measurable positive impact,†as West Coast ports supply food, parts, and some fuel to Canadian vessels.
Meanwhile, the California-based Western Fishboat Owners Assocation (WFOA) , which represents about 400 albacore troll-vessel owners, says the suspension is an “opportunity†to revise the 31-year-old treaty for modern day fishing. In particular, the group says the data collection process needs to be refined and the catch efforts, capacity and economics of the fishery need to be examined.
According to Donald McIsaac, executive director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Canadian fishing in U.S. waters has increased in recent years, along with their catch per unit effort.
Still, tuna is a highly migratory species, and the positive working relationship with Canada is crucial and must continue, says Moore.
“There is no indication that the loss of Canadian catch and landings will be made up by increased U.S. catch and landings,†he says.
Disputes between fishermen are also an issue, but few reports have been made to authorities, says Moore. “U.S. harvesters apparently have been unwilling to engage in constructive dialogue with their Canadian counterparts with a view towards resolving these problems. Instead, at least one U.S. harvesting group has invested in a paid lobbyist to seek permanent termination of reciprocal fishing.â€
Canada-based, albacore tuna fisherman, Bruce Devereux, acknowledges some of his fellow Canadian harvesters have become “unprofessional†in the last few years. In an email, he writes these personal disputes can be resolved amicably for the benefit of both parties.
The WCSPA represents U.S.-owned seafood processors and supporting businesses located in Oregon, Washington, and California. Its members purchase albacore tuna from both U.S. and Canadian fishermen.
Meetings between U.S. and Canadian officials are ongoing this month.