The federal government is giving Nunavut's commercial fishery a big boost by raising the turbot fishing quota in the territory.
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea announced a 1,500-tonne quota increase in the 0B fishery management area, which covers the Canadian half of Davis Strait and stretches from Frobisher Bay to Cumberland Sound.
Nunavut's four fishing companies will have access to 90 per cent of that increased quota, or about 1,350 tonnes, while the remaining 10 per cent will go to Inuit in northern Quebec.
"Cleary fisheries means a great deal to many northern Canadians, which is why I am pleased to announce that the government of Canada is increasing Nunavut's turbot allocation," Shea told reporters Monday in Iqaluit.
The quota increase is based on scientific research that shows the turbot population is thriving off Baffin Island.
The increase could mean about $5.5 million in new revenue for Nunavut fisheries. Turbot currently fetches about $4,000 per tonne at market.
Quota a sensitive issue
The allocation of fish stock in Nunavut's adjacent waters has been a sensitive issue for years.
Prior to Monday's quota increase, Nunavut fisheries controlled 33 per cent of the overall turbot catch in the 0B management area.
The Baffin Fisheries Coalition in Iqaluit, which runs two vessels off the coast of Baffin Island, has long argued that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not given Nunavut a fair share of the fishery in waters adjacent to the territory.
"Finally, it puts us into a position where we can be in better control of our own destiny," Jerry Ward, the coalition's chief operating officer, told reporters after Monday's announcement.
"It shows a turning point in improving relationships, certainly, between the fishing industry and DFO in particular."
Monday's announcement now brings that figure to 41 per cent.
However, that is still far below the 80 to 90 per cent control other Canadian provinces have over their adjacent waters.
"There is still significant work to be done until we reach 90 per cent," Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak said during the announcement.
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