In Closely Watched Case, Canadian Appeals Court Upholds DFO Rights to Enforce Fleet Separation Policy
A Canadian Federal Appeals Court has found that the DFO acted properly in taking the license of Labrador fisherman Kirby Elson, after he refused to terminate a controlling agreement he had made with Quinlan Bros. Ltd and Labrador Sea Products.
The agreement, which began in 2003, gave the companies control over the disposition of the fishing license. In return, Quinlan supplied a vessel, crew, financed the boat, and reaped the profit.
Canadian laws establish fleet separation policies, and prohibit controlling agreements. The fleet separation policy prohibits processing companies from any ownership of inshore fisheries vessels under 65 feet, especially in fisheries where the inshore vessels have ...
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