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Since May 2002, fishers from Prince Edward Island (PEI) Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24 have been granted access to fish the MacLeod's Ledge portion of Quebec LFA 22. Quebec fishers have never fished for lobsters in this part of LFA 22, which is much closer to PEI.
Over the years, DFO has tried without success to find a mutually acceptable solution for lobster industry members from both Quebec and PEI.
In 2005, it was decided that an independent review of the situation was needed. Consultations with the Province of PEI and Quebec as well as the affected fishermen associations, l'Association des pêcheurs propriétaires des Iles-de-la-Madeleine and the PEI Fishermen's Association were conducted to select an independent reviewer.
Mr. Allister Surette was selected and asked to examine issues surrounding the conflict between fishers and to make recommendations. Mr. Surette will present his findings to the Minister on a long term approach for this fishery. The Department will then use the findings to make recommendations to the Minister in preparation for the 2006 lobster fishing season.
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