Snowe praises Canadian injunction on lobster protesters

Published Date Written by Staff Report

A New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench judge granted a 10-day injunction to prevent lobster fishermen from blocking fish processing plants in protest of a glut of cheap U.S. lobster, CBC News in New Brunswick reported.
The ruling was praised by U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, ranking member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.
Snowe said the 10-day injunction to limit Canadian lobstermen from blocking Maine lobster trucks trying to reach the processing plants was "welcome news for Maine's hardworking lobstermen and truckers who have been shipping their product to processors in Canada."
According to the State Department, the ruling from Justice George Rideout imposes a maximum of six picketers at the processors, and at any given time they must be at least 200 feet from the entrance, exit, or property of the facilities, Snowe's office reported.
Members of Senator Snowe's staff also organized a phone call Thursday with Maine Gov. Paul LePage's office, the offices of Maine's congressional delegation, and staff from the U.S. Department of State to discuss the situation and the injunction. A number of issues were raised by Sen. Snowe's staff, including the possible court action, the impact on the Canadian fish processing sector, and future trade implications with Canada. The representatives on the phone call discussed the best way forward to ensure the vitality of Maine's fishing industry and the continued, collaborative relationship with the United State's trading partners in Canada, Snowe said.