Tag Archives: Arctic surf clam licence

LeBlanc in conflict of interest over surf clam licence, Clearwater to keep monopoly until 2020

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc was found in breach of conflict of interest rules Wednesday for approving an Arctic surf clam licence to a company that employed a family member — a violation that comes with no penalties. Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion said in a report issued Wednesday that LeBlanc knew his wife’s first cousin was involved in the Five Nations Clam Co. and knew the cousin would have benefited financially when awarding the company a multi-million dollar license in February. >click to read<

Clearwater to keep Arctic surf clam monopoly until 2020 – Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has confirmed Clearwater Seafoods has been given the go ahead to catch the outstanding 25 per cent of the 2018 and 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) for Arctic surf clams. A statement issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on Sept. 11 reiterates the plan remains to identify a new Indigenous participant for the 2020 fishery, however. >click to read<18:49

FISH-NL questions whether Ottawa purposely is out to eliminate inshore fishery and outports along with it

The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) says Ottawa’s decision to award a new Arctic surf clam licence to East Coast aboriginal groups amounts to Indigenous reconciliation on the backs of inshore harvesters and rural communities.,, “Our inshore harvesters and rural communities should be at the head of the line for any new quotas,” says Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL. “Our harvesters are starving for fish, and the feds are taking from the few healthy stocks we have left, and carving them up for groups with no connection to the resource. That’s just wrong.” >click to read< 12:07

Grand Bank council to discuss new Arctic surf clam licence with LeBlanc

Last week’s announcement by federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc a new Arctic surf clam licence will be issued for next year is concerning news for the Town of Grand Bank. Mayor Rex Matthews raised the topic during the town’s council meeting on Monday afternoon. Matthews said a council delegation has a 30-minute meeting scheduled with LeBlanc on Wednesday afternoon in St. John’s, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal cabinet ministers are meeting this week for an annual retreat. “The problem is it’s taking away existing quota from our fish plant here in Grand Bank,” Matthews said, adding the change could have a major impact on the facility. click here to read the story 15:33