Establish lobster food fishery

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to establish a conservation‑focused lobster food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, allowing residents to harvest lobsters for personal consumption in areas with healthy stocks.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans WHEREAS: For centuries lobster has been a traditional food resource in Newfoundland and Labrador and is directly tied to local identity. A lobster food fishery refers to lobstering done for personal consumption rather than for sale or profit. Rising food insecurity in Canada has put severe strain and hardship on Canadian families. Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index clearly shows food inflation is on the rise in Canada including Newfoundland and Labrador. Fisheries and Oceans Canada research document "Assessment of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Stock Status in Newfoundland (LFAS 3-14C) in 2021/2022" provides quantifiable evidence that areas of Newfoundland and Labrador have healthy lobster stock. The Government of Canada must ensure residents have equal access to food that is available in our territorial waters. We, the undersigned, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, call upon the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to establish a conservation focused lobster food fishery so that a traditional food resource can be utilized for food consumption.

Government response

No government response is available yet.