N.S. Fishermen Do Not Need the Lobster Levy

It has been very frustrating in that all I have been reading in the newspapers and magazines concerning the lobster levy, I find absolutely ridiculous. It is nothing more than a free ticket for some individuals to travel the world.

In reading The Navigator’s January 2015 edition, I see tonnes of Nova Scotia lobster being shipped to all parts of the world. Korean Airlines will provide the largest shipments, not to mention the tonnes shipped to China. Korean shipments will also be sent to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

So I ask, do we need someone to go and look for more markets? I think not. In the last five years, Canadian live lobster exports to Asia have grown 400 per cent.

I have faith that our buyers will travel and find markets for their product themselves.

Fishers in S.W. Nova have been called too independent — well they certainly have earned it. Take into consideration how much District 34 pays every year to go lobster fishing — $1,880 per licence — no other District pays anywhere near that fee. So I suggest the Department of Fisheries and Oceans take part of that fee and send it to the Lobster Council members — it will more than pay the fishers’ portion of the levy.

If this levy or fee passes, you can bet the lobster fishermen will be stuck with it for life and you can be sure it will increase over time. Don’t let it happen.

Bradford Symonds
McGray, Shelburne County,
Nova Scotia