The Saint Croix Courier, Feb. 18, 2010
Environment Canada is continuing its investigation into how lobsters in Grand Manan, and Deer Island were exposed to the agricultural pesticide cypermethrin.The Saint Croix Courier was the first to report on the investigation Jan. 12 after a number of dead lobsters were found in traps in Grand Manan, Pocologan and Deer Island late last year.
An investigation was launched by both Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). In Grand Manan several fishermen reported finding dead and weak lobsters in their traps Nov. 19, while in Pocologan one fisherman reported finding about 40 dead or weak lobsters Nov. 24.
DFO received another report early in December from a lobster fisherman on Deer Island who had been storing lobsters in crates and had one containing around 750 lbs. of dead and weak lobsters. Cypermethrin is lethal to crustaceans in even very small concentrations and is banned for use in Canada in marine environments but has been used in the salmon aquaculture and some agriculture industries in other countries.
After the story appeared in the Courier in January the Traditional Fisheries Coalition of Southwestern New Brunswick called on the federal and provincial governments to act quickly in determining how the cypermethrin found its way into the waters of the Bay of Fundy. Although to date only a few lobster fishermen have been directly affected, there is great concern in the lobster industry about the potential impact of this if immediate and effective action is not taken to ensure that cypermethrin does not continue to find its way into the marine environment.
The Coalition, which is made up of the Fundy North Fishermen’s Association, Grand Manan Fishermen’s Association, Grand Manan Sea Urchin Association, Fundy Weir Fishermen’s Association and Connors Brothers, has repeatedly expressed concerns about the use of chemicals in the marine environment. It represents the lobster, herring, scallop, sea urchin and ground fish fisheries of Southwestern New Brunswick. New Brunswick Southwest MP Greg Thompson, who met with representatives from the different fishing organizations Tuesday, Feb. 16, in St. Stephen, said both the traditional fishery and the aquaculture industry are dependant on a healthy environment being sustained.
“At the end of the day we only have one environment. We can only have healthy aquaculture, lobster or herring industries if the environment is healthy and anything that can potentially harm that is a concern. Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet said his department is very concerned about the dead and weak lobster found in southwest New Brunswick and will provide Environment Canada and DFO with whatever information they can. “We are anxious to see the results of this investigation as quickly as possible. Let’s get to the bottom of this. This chemical is not permitted on aquaculture sites. Someone is using this illegally and no one from the aquaculture industry nor our government condones this use.” As soon as the department became aware of the dead lobsters on Grand Manan, Harvey Millar, DFO area director for southwest New Brunswick, said DFO sent divers to the area, collected samples and sent some to the Atlantic Veterinary College in P.E.I. The department also has some lobsters being monitored at the Biological Station, sent samples to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and collected bait to get that tested.
Environment Canada is responsible for the pollution provisions section of the Fisheries Act and they opened an investigation Dec 22. An on-site inspection was carried out by Environment Canada which also collected information while some samples of lobster were taken to its lab in Moncton. York Friesen, regional director of the environmental enforcement directorate of Environment Canada, said in January that based on the results they found they have reason to believe a violation had been committed as the lobster from Grand Manan had been exposed to cypermethrin, which is used in agricultural pesticides. Environment Canada is continuing its investigation to try to determine the source. Brigitte Lemay, media relations advisor for Environment Canada, said Thursday, Feb. 16, an investigation was opened Feb. 10 into some reported dead and dying lobsters near Deer Island. She said Environment Canada enforcement officers conducted on-site inspections at various locations where the dead lobster were found. Various samples were collected, including dead lobster, and taken to their laboratory in Moncton for further analysis. She said lab results and other information indicate the dead lobster collected in Deer Island were also exposed to cypermethrin. Lemay said Environment Canada is continuing its investigation into the dead and dying lobster near Grand Manan. While both situations have similar outcomes she said investigators are not certain if they are related. Source:
Source: The Saint Croix Courier
