June 10, 2025

The striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is out of control and threatening certain fisheries.

June 10, 2025

For immediate release

The striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is out of control

and threatening certain fisheries.

Tracadie, June 9, 2025 – Commercial gaspareau fishermen operating on the Miramichi River are on the verge of giving up. An overabundant striped bass population is making this fishery virtually impossible. In recent weeks, fishermen who are members of the Maritime Fishermen's Union (MFU) have reported that the number of striped bass entering their nets this year is five times greater than last year.

"Our members tell us that last year, they could catch 5,000 bass in their nets. With enormous physical effort and time, they could sort through them and keep only the gaspareau. This year, there can be as many as 25,000 bass in the nets. It has become impossible for them to sort through them. They have to throw their entire catch back into the water. So it's a fishing effort that yields nothing, but the fishermen still have to pay the expenses. There is something illogical and economically unsustainable about all this," explains Martin Mallet, executive director of the UPM.

Gaspareau fishing is a commercial fishery primarily for bait, bringing in nearly $3 million in 2023.

DFO on the wrong track

For several years, the MFU has been pressuring the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to review its approach to scientific research on striped bass. "DFO told us in 2024 that, according to scientific assessments, there has been a decline in the population. It's hard for us to believe that. The species is overflowing its natural habitat, riverside fishermen are catching more and more of them, and our lobster fishermen are reporting an abundance of this fish in their traps, "reports the MFU's executive director." We are also concerned about other issues, such as the impact of striped bass on smelt populations. Fishermen and smelt enthusiasts noticed the absence of this fish in our waters last winter."

The MPU has made recommendations to DFO that inshore fishermen and lobster fishermen be given the right to keep striped bass found in nets or traps for use as bait, to issue a commercial quota for UPM member fishermen, and to review the reference points for a healthy species, taking into account the carrying capacity of the Miramichi River ecosystem.

DFO is not adapting its research and objectives to a new environmental reality. It will take years for this to happen! In the meantime, fishermen and industries are at risk of disappearing. It is high time that DFO's mandate included the economic survival of our communities. The preservation of species and oceans can go hand in hand with the economic viability of our coastal regions," concludes Martin Mallet.

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Information :

Pascale Paulin

Communication, MFU

pascale@mfu-upm.com / (506) 866-3420

May 24, 2024

Communications UPM

MFU members thank the community for their support for its support in the recent crisis affecting lobster fishermen in northern New Brunswick

May 24, 2024

Communications UPM

For immediate release

MFU members thank the community for their support

for its support in the recent crisis affecting lobster fishermen

in northern New Brunswick

Shediac, May 24, 2024 - "On behalf of all our members, crews and families, we say a very big thank you! Your encouragement and support have been a great source of motivation." With these words, the President of the Maritime Fishermen's Union expressed his gratitude and that of his members to the community and leaders who joined the MFU in the recent crisis affecting lobster fishermen in northern New Brunswick.

Last Friday, a right whale was spotted off the coast of Lamèque Island. Following DFO's decision to close the fishery entirely for 15 days, protests erupted.

"Acadie-Bathurst MP Serge Cormier led the charge on the political side. We've rarely seen an elected official put his community first like that. Thanks also to the Forum des maires de la Péninsule acadienne for its reaction. UPM members invest a great deal in the development of our communities, and you can count on us to be first-rate allies in seeing this region flourish," says Mr. Comeau.

The MFU would also like to acknowledge the support of New Brunswick's Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Margaret Johnson, for her work on this file.

For Martin Mallet, MFU Executive Director, the community has not only demonstrated its understanding of the importance of inshore fishermen's work but also played a crucial role in resolving the crisis. "Our members are professionals in their field; they have unique knowledge and a huge impact on the region's economy. The community movement that quickly rallied around us, showing its value and importance, is proof of what we can do together."

The narrowly averted crisis for the Maritime Fishermen's Union demonstrates the urgent need to establish a genuine dialogue between senior DFO-Ottawa officials and inshore fishermen. "We're delighted that the Minister has finally understood our message. However, what has happened over the past week is a clear demonstration that DFO-Ottawa is not in touch with the reality of the industry. There must be changes, and our members and communities can count on the MFU to keep up the pressure to bring back respect for fishermen in how DFO operates," concludes Réjean Comeau.

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For information:

MFU

shediac@mfu-upm.com

(506) 532-2485

March 21, 2024

Communications UPM

Anger grows among inshore fishermen members of the MFU

March 21, 2024

Communications UPM

For immediate release

Shediac, March 21, 2024 - Inshore fishermen, members of the Maritime Fishermen's Union (MFU) are fed up with being ignored by the federal government and are ready to change their methods to make their grievances heard. At their annual convention in Moncton earlier this week, they commented at length on their treatment by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) over the past several years.

"The federal government forgets that the seafood industry starts with the fishermen. Inshore fishing is a vital economic engine for our regions. We don't understand how DFO and the government can ignore us and even expropriate our fisheries from us as they do," explains Réjean Comeau, President of the MFU.

Threats to our industry

This was the theme of the 43rd MFU Congress. And the threats are evident to members:

The exclusion of inshore fishermen from decisions that affect them and hidden deals between the government and First Nations.
DFO's mismanagement of various predator species that damage stocks (e.g. striped bass and grey seals), leading to the decline and closure of fisheries such as mackerel and herring.
The government's lack of courage when it comes to enforcing its own rules against poaching.
The processing sector of the industry takeover by multinationals.

"Some of us were at Seafood Expo North America in Boston last week. It was incredible to see the federal and provincial governments fussing about the quality of our seafood. You'd think they'd actually be the ones fishing the resource. When we see that, we expect more consideration from our governments," adds Réjean Comeau.

MFU members have tried negotiating and discussing with the authorities for years, but to no avail. "Our members are tired of being treated like second-class citizens. We have families and communities who rely on us. What will happen to our coastal regions when there are so many barriers to our trade that we have to stop fishing?" says the MFU President.

Members at the Congress repeatedly mentioned that more robust pressure tactics should be considered.

"The discontent is genuine, and since discussions are going nowhere, we'll have to turn to other negotiation methods," concludes Mr. Comeau.

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For information

Pascale Paulin. Director of Communications

(506)532-2485

communications@mfu-upm.com