Canadian lobster fishermen end sit-in

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, June 10 (UPI) -- About 20 Canadian lobster fishermen seeking help for their ailing industry Wednesday ended their occupation of a federal office in St. John's.

The Newfoundland and Labrador fishermen and representatives of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union had taken over the local office of federal Cabinet Minister Peter MacKay on Tuesday, demanding financial help to see them through a tough year in which prices dropped below $3 a pound.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the union said the fishermen wrapped up their protest because they got their message out.

"They made their point. They feel they were not heard loud enough, but they will regroup and make some more noise in a different way," said union representative Bill Broderick.

The union said the federal government's announcement of $65 million to help lobster fishermen was only a start since it is being split between five provinces over five years. Of those funds, $15 million has been set aside specifically to help fishermen whose incomes have been drastically hit.

"$15 million doesn't cut it," Broderick said.

The union's leadership says the overall fishing industry has dropped $200 million this year.