The concern that I have resides within my hometown of Grand Manan Island. Lobster fishing is the back bone of the island, and without it the island would be devastated, and this is initially where the concern arises. Recently the first lobster licence from Grand Manan was sold to an outside interest in Nova Scotia. This enables the Nova Scotia fisherman to fish on District 38 fishing ground. I am concerned because the socioeconomic spin‐offs from the lobster fishery on Grand Manan are overwhelming. If we lose these spin‐offs from the lobster landings, the island of Grand Manan and White Head will be devastated. As more licences are sold to outside interests, the more spin‐offs islander’s will lose. From being involved I hope to assist the Grand Manan Fishermen’s Association in doing the following: gaining media attention, gathering support from local government, gaining the attention of the Minister of Ocean’s and Fisheries, and make locals aware throughout the Bay of Fundy and gain their support.
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