The action, launched two years ago by the former provincial Conservative government - challenged the absolute constitutional power of the federal minister to make licensing and management decisions.
It appears the legal challenge - which had no guarantee of being successful - was becoming too costly and apparently the government of PEI and the feds are making some headway in negotiations.
Provincial Fisheries Minister Allan Campbell cited progress on some outstanding issues, such as the herring seiner exclusion line - which the Minister says has been resolved.
Now what's next on the negotiation agenda? According to Ed Frenette - managing director of the PEI Fishermen's Association:
It rests now on negotiations between the two levels of government to increase access to various resources for Island fishers: specifically snow crab, shrimp and ground fish.
So Newfoundland and Labrador fishers - my question is and yours should be - what regional share of crab - shrimp - and ground fish? Now that Loyola Hearn and PEI appear to be cozy - and the law-suit is gone - will we pay part of the price with resources adjacent to us?
Maybe we should sue the feds - we might get some cooperation on our fisheries issues.
