Fisheries ministers from Atlantic Canada are in Halifax for a one-day conference Monday. (CBC)

The federal fisheries minister can expect to hear a pitch to remove some of her power in resolving quota disputes when she meets with her counterparts in Atlantic Canada on Monday.

Gail Shea and fisheries ministers from the region are meeting in Halifax for a one-day conference.

Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau would like a tribunal to handle arguments about fishing quotas. He said he's constantly hearing complaints from snow crab fishermen from the Gulf Shore and scallop fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia.

"Different sectors or different groups, if they have an issue they can bring their issue forward to a tribunal. Up until now, the minister has that discretion and decides on all of these cases," said Belliveau.

"These issues are going unresolved, and I think all sides would respect a tribunal."

Belliveau said he also wants to talk about the newly formed Lobster Council of Canada and how it can market products in Europe and Asia.

Foreign shrimp fishing dispute

The issue of banning fishing vessels from Greenland and the Faroe Islands from Canadian ports is also expected to come up.

Shea announced the ban on Sunday, saying the Faroes and Greenland are taking 10 times the shrimp they're entitled to under quotas set by the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO).

The ban, which takes effect on Monday, means these shrimp boats will have to stop off-loading their catches and picking up supplies in the Newfoundland ports of Bay Roberts and Harbour Grace.

Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW/CAW) union in Newfoundland and Labrador, supports Canada's move. The union represents 20,000 workers, most employed in the fishing industry.

"Unfortunately, the closing of ports is about the only tool we have at the moment," said McCurdy, adding that Canada had to act because not doing so would have sent a "bad message" to other countries.

Canada closed its ports to Greenlandic and Faroese fishermen in 2002 and again in 2004.

Shea will hold a news conference later Monday to explain what was discussed at the meeting.