BACKGROUNDER

COMMERCIAL FISHING COMPENSATION - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS - When did Alberta begin implementing the commercial fishing rationalization program, which includes the compensation?

April 1, 2002 was the start of the current initiative, but rationalization has been in progress since the 1980s.

What was the original goal of the current program?

To reduce the number of licensed commercial operators from 800 to about 200 and reduce the number of nets being used from 37,000 to about 18,000.

How big are the nets used in commercial fishing?

Each net is 100 yards (91 metres) in length.

Why are fishing operators being compensated for withdrawing from commercial fishing?

A number of initiatives were planned to help enhance the sustainability of Alberta's fish populations as part of the provincial government's efforts for Improving Alberta's Fisheries-for conservation as well as domestic fishing, sportfishing and commercial fishing use.

Consolidation of the commercial fishing industry will improve Alberta's ability to manage the industry. The commercial fishing compensation program offers operators reasonable compensation for voluntarily leaving the business.

Did the commercial fishing compensation program push out the small operators in favor of large commercial fishing businesses?

No. As competition for fish stocks was increasing it became necessary to reduce the amount of commercial nets being set. Increased licence fees and a compensation application process were used in combination to move rationalization forward. Both small and large operators are eligible for the compensation and the participation of both groups is necessary to reduce total yardage. The province wants to ensure that if people are going to be in the business of commercial fishing, then it must be as a business.

How are small operators affected?

All operators who want to stay in the industry may do so, as long as they continue to pay the appropriate licence and net fees.

How much is commercial fishing compensation going to cost?

The cost depends upon the interest of commercial fishing operators in withdrawing from the industry. Compensation is based upon a rate of $2,000 per zone licence and $200 per net privilege.

How much did commercial fishing licence fees increase?

Commercial fishing licence fees increased from $75 per commercial fishing zone to $500 per zone on April 1, 2003. At the same time, fees for each net privilege decreased from $3 per net to $1 per net.

Do members of the Alberta Commercial Fishermen's Association (ACFA) support Alberta's plans to reduce commercial fishing?

As with any major undertaking that affects many people, those affected have varying opinions, as will many Albertans. The province had to balance all the considerations involved against the objective of reducing commercial fishing. The ACFA supported a reduction in commercial fishing participation, to be achieved through increased licence fees and compensation for those leaving the industry. Alberta believes the current commercial fishing compensation program offers reasonable compensation to operators for voluntarily withdrawing from the industry.

What steps are being taken to allow commercial fishing operators to appeal decisions they may feel are unfair or biased?

The province made adjustments and provided leeway to let operators make their decisions about whether they wanted to continue in the industry or not. Also, an appeal board is in place to address situations where operators claim economic hardships.

How will Alberta's fisheries benefit from this initiative?

This is an important part of the province's overall initiative for Improving Alberta's Fisheries. Reduced participation in the commercial fishery is expected to lead to more focused harvest of whitefish and tullibee, and better avoidance of walleye and pike. In recent years it has become necessary to better control the total harvest of walleye and pike to ensure sustainable fish stocks. These populations are very important to the much larger sportfishing industry.

What are the key points about commercial fishing in Alberta?

The Alberta government supports commercial fishing as an industry. The province has sustainable populations of whitefish and tullibee, which are the main target species for the commercial fisheries and the domestic food fishery. About 70 lakes are commercially fished in Alberta each year.

Why is Alberta making improvement of provincial fisheries a priority?

Alberta's fish are a valuable resource. Sportfishing contributes about $350 million to the provincial economy each year and is enjoyed by approximately 320,000 anglers annually. Commercial fishing contributes about $5 million to Alberta's economy each year. There are about 1,200 individuals active in the domestic food fishery each year.

What are some of the challenges to Alberta's fisheries?

Alberta has the fourth highest freshwater angling pressure in Canada. This pressure is a result of having a large population of anglers and only about 1,100 fish-bearing lakes. Many anglers in Alberta are familiar with the abundant lakes in Saskatchewan (94,000), Manitoba (110,000) and Ontario (250,000). Balancing demand with the available supply of fish is a considerable challenge in most parts of Alberta.

There are only 18 fish species that are preferred for capture or harvest in Alberta. Fish species grow slowly in provincial lakes because of the northern climate. It takes several years for fish to reach "catchable" sizes and longer until some species reach spawning size.

Alberta's increasing human population and industrial development are also adding challenges to the maintenance of the fish habitat needed to produce the fish.

Which Alberta fish species have been most affected by fishing pressure?

At this time, Alberta is focusing on improving walleye, bull trout, lake sturgeon, Arctic grayling and pike populations.

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For further information:

Dave Ealey
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton, (780) 427-8636

Hugh Norris
Head, Fisheries Resource Allocation and Use
Fish and Wildlife Division
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton, (780) 427-7769