Tag Archives: Port au Choix

Why are NL fishers going out of province to land their catch?

July 21, 2022   Canada

Although Port au Choix has a growing tourism industry, the fish plant is still the focal point of the harbour and it depends significantly on the fishers and their fishing boats to keep it going. The arrival of the summer shrimp fishery would usually mean this port would be buzzing with activity,,, But today, the usual thrum at the wharf is replaced with a murmur, as participants get ready to take the mic. Together, they’re rebuffing this year’s minimum price offered to fishers landing their shrimp at this plant, operated by Ocean Choice International L.P. “I was one of the first ones to land shrimp to this plant,” says long-time Flowers Cove fisher, Ren Genge, stepping up to speak. “I see people here, who were the first to shell that shrimp by hand. I’ve been here for 55 years fishing shrimp, and I’m not about to let three companies take me out of business.” Video,  >click to read< 07:46

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FFAW RALLY NOTICE – PORT AU CHOIX JULY 15

July 14, 2022   Canada
Good afternoon, FFAW will be holding a rally tomorrow, July 15th, in Port-au-Choix to support the inshore shrimp fishery. The demonstration is in response to Royal Greenland and Ocean Choice International deliberately acting in poor faith and causing economic distress to inshore harvesters in NL. The rally will begin at 2pm and people are asked to gather in the parking lot of Ocean Choice International, 10 Fisher Street, Port-au-Choix. All inshore fish harvesters, processing plant workers, and concerned residents in the area are encouraged to attend and express their support for provincial government to act.  ASP Member, Royal Greenland, Deliberately Hurting NL Inshore Fishery – MEDIA RELEASE: Northern Peninsula Shrimp Fleet Facing Crisis-16:55
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N.L.’s 4R harvesters await Quebec crab price

May 1, 2018   Canada

Crab harvesters in zone 4R area 13 are wondering if their unique advantage to sell to Quebec will soon come in handy. With a 50 per cent reduction in quota for the 2018 4R crab fishery, Port au Choix fisherman Robert Dobbin is keeping a close eye on the price for crab in Quebec this year, although selling his catch to Quebec is not something Dobbin has done in roughly 15 years. “When I first started crab fishing with my uncle it was 45 cents a pound here, and for a few years we would go across to Quebec side and get a dollar a pound,” he said. “This year we’ll have to wait and see. >click to read<15:57

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Port au Choix crab fishermen charged with obstruction of justice over May protest

October 16, 2017   Canada

Harvesters who took part in a protest in Port au Choix last May have now been told they will be charged with obstruction of justice and placing crab pots in a wrong zone. Fisherman Dean Olfrey was called in for a meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11, and was informed he and the other harvesters involved in the protest would be facing these two charges. “It was a peaceful demonstration,” Olfrey said. “We just wanted to show that we should have the right to fish in this zone, and now they’re looking to charge us.” click here to read the story 12:14

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UPDATED: Port aux Choix protesters get meeting with fishery officials

April 19, 2017   Canada

Since the April 18 protest, a meeting has been scheduled between DFO Area Director John Lubar and protest representatives for Friday, April 21 in Hawke’s Bay. Port au Choix harvester Stella Mailman has told the Northern Pen that seven or eight representatives from the area, representing different fleets and fleet sizes, will be attending the meeting – herself, included.
She is hoping they will address the issues the harvesters were protesting and advocating for on April 18. “The 4R lines, the adjacency, and talk about all the cuts to the fishery,” said Mailman. “All the things that was brought up during the protest will be put on the table.” She feels having a meeting means they’re making some progress and hopes that those in authoritative positions in the fishery will not just be willing to talk with them, but with people like Richard Gillett, the harvester undertaking a hunger strike, in St. John’s. click here to read the story 16:30

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Fishing gear burned in Port au Choix protest

April 18, 2017   Canada

Fish harvesters from Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula burned crab and lobster pots Tuesday morning outside the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office in Port au Choix, saying they don’t have access to enough fish to make a living. “We feel we are completely abandoned,” said one of the organizers, Stella Mailman. “We are absolutely trash to them. That’s all we are.” Mailman, who fishes for lobster, groundfish and halibut with her husband, said protesters came from communities from Sandy Cove to Parsons Pond, with truckloads of gear. “Crab pots, drag nets, lobster pots, and they actually put them in the parking lot and set fire to them,” she said, estimating there were eight to 10 truckloads burned. click here to read the story 12:12

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