Maine Lawmakers Seek State Dept. Help Over Canadian Lobster Fight
Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) said they've sought out State Department officials to deal with with an ongoing fight over Maine lobster shipments to processing plants in Canada. Canadian fishermen recently blocked shipments of Maine lobster to Canadian processing plants, as part of a protest of lower-than-usual lobster prices, a result of a recent glut in lobster catches. A New Brunswick judge recently granted a 10-day injunction preventing similar protests in the province, according to press reports.
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"Some disgruntled Canadian lobstermen, in a misguided attempt to protest the low retail price of lobster, lodged a protest and blockaded several New Brunswick processors, which forced these processors to close down their facilities, and shipments containing tens of thousands of pounds of Maine lobsters were sent back to the state," said Snowe in a letter to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. "In some circumstances, the product was damaged or destroyed. This is an unacceptable situation that must be rectified immediately. While I understand that the New Brunswick government is attempting to control these protests, it is clear that additional Canadian resources are necessary to maintain order and ensure continued commerce across the border. Any acts of intimidation, violence, or coercion cannot be tolerated and order must be maintained to ensure that our relationship with our Canadian partners does not undermine our long-term collaborative relationship on critical fisheries and maritime issues." The Snowe press release and letter are (here).
Michaud contacted Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, to push for Canadian cooperation on the situation and "to ensure that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other law enforcement provide the resources necessary to ensure adequate security," said a press release from Michaud (here). Michaud’s office has also been in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Embassy in Washington in order to ensure they are working together and are fully aware of the ramifications of the current situation, the release said. Michaud has been working with Maine’s entire congressional delegation to stay in touch with the Governor’s office as well as the Maine Department of Marine Resources and Maine’s lobster industry.
The Maine Lobstermen's Association also isn't taking the situation lightly. "If fishermen continue to threaten or interfere with shipment of Maine lobster, swift and appropriate law enforcement action should be taken to end these protests," the association said in a statement. "Open and fair trade between our countries is essential to the success of both lobster industries. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association calls on the Canadian government to act promptly and effectively to restore order." The association's statement is (here).