LFAs 33 and 34 Among Major Canadian Lobster Fishing Regions to Get MSC Certification The Marine Stewardship Council has certified Nova Scotia’s and New Brunswick’s lobster trap fishery in the Bay of Fundy, Scotian Shelf and Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Major lobster fishing areas 33 and 34 are among the regions included in the MSC certification. Altogether, about 75 percent of Canada’s lobster catch is now MSC certified. “The MSC congratulates the harvesters, live shippers, processors and buyers/dealers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for coming together to achieve this milestone,” said Jay Lugar, MSC Program Director for Canada. Canada’s fishery officials raised the Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic Halibut quota by 20 percent. The announcement also adjusted how the quota would be shared; raising the share of the catch for fishermen in PEI but lowering the share for fishermen in Newfoundland. The FFAW blasted the decision as a political maneuver by the DFO to gain votes in the Maritime Provinces. In other news Newfoundland said it will keep minimum processing rules (MPR) for its exported seafood unless Canada’s federal officials deliver compensation for lifting the requirements. However, keeping the MPRs could trigger penalties under the CETA free trade deal that Canada is currently negotiating with Europe. Meanwhile, Chinese tilapia producers say a seedling shortage could lead to lower supplies by the third quarter when US importers typically place their orders. The producers say the potential for lower inventories in August and September could see prices rise tick up if US buyers start placing orders as they normally do. Finally, US salmon importers are losing confidence in doing business with Chile with little indication when a now eight-day strike among Customs workers will end. The country’s Customs workers are demanding better pay and working conditions from the government.