Tag Archives: Newfoundland and Labrador

An appeal for seal: Supporters say it’s time to review bans on ‘sustainable’ industry

Fisheries managers allow some 400,000 harp seals to be harvested annually, but the allowable catch hasn’t been taken in the past 15 years. These days, hunters only take about 40,000 seals because of international bans that have dramatically reduced access to markets. The United States has had a ban on seal products since 1972, the European Union banned seal products in 2009, and the Chinese market also has restrictions. But while the sealing industry struggles to stay alive, it’s a way of life that continues. Eldred Woodford, president of the Canadian Sealers Association, has been eating seal his entire life. He’s frustrated that more people aren’t seeing the value of an abundant food source just off the coast. “It’s a waste of a resource. That’s what it is,” he said. more, >>click to read<< 10:03

FFAW pleads with fisheries minister to open market, arguing harvest too much for local processors

The Fish, Food & Allied Workers union (FFAW) formally urged Fisheries Minister Elvis Loveless to open the fisheries to outside buyers in a letter on Friday, following a week of intensifying protests from harvesters. The letter is a response to Loveless’s own letter from Thursday evening, in which he requested a plan from the union that would guarantee the jobs of all FFAW members, harvesters, and fish plant workers if the market opens. “Any decision to allow outside buyers must consider the impacts on all partners in the seafood industry, and particularly on fish plant workers,” Loveless says in his letter, adding that if such a plan is presented by the FFAW, the government will consider opening the market to outside buyers for snow crab. more, >>click to read<< 19:38

Key FFAW rep steps down amid ongoing crab price formula negotiations

A key negotiator for the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union has stepped down amid ongoing tense and highly anticipated crab price formula negotiations between the harvesters’ union and the Association of Seafood Producers. As first reported, FFAW negotiator Jake Rice has resigned. The news was flagged in a Facebook post in a fishery group by harvester Jason Sullivan. Sullivan wrote FFAW secretary treasurer Jason Spingle is likely to take the reins. For weeks they’ve stood on the steps in front of Confederation Building and flooded the public gallery of the House of Assembly to voice their concerns over the handling of the fishery, now just weeks away from the start of crab season.  Harvesters are calling for an open market — the ability to take their catch, regardless of species, to whichever buyer will take the product, whether that be within the province or outside it. more, >>click to read<< 13:30

For a 2nd day, harvesters call on N.L. government to open market to outside buyers

For a second day in a row, fish and crab harvesters voiced their grievances at a Newfoundland and Labrador government building over constraints imposed on their catches. On Wednesday morning, harvesters congregated at the parking lot of the provincial government’s Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture building, also known as the Petten Building, located on Strawberry Road in St. John’s. They blocked the entrance, preventing employees from entering. John Efford, a harvester who was part of the protest, said they were gathered to reiterate their message from the previous day. He said companies have taken advantage of government policies “to create a cartel and collude to control the fishery” and that the government could change that policy and fix the situation. Photos, Video,  more, >>click to read<< 11:28

Tensions run high as crab harvesters call on N.L. government to introduce outside buyers

More than 150 fishermen led an anger-fueled protest on the steps of Confederation Building on Tuesday, calling on the Newfoundland and Labrador government to free up the fishery and allow harvesters to sell their product to outside buyers. Under the current rules, harvesters are only allowed to sell their catch to processors in the province at a price agreed upon by the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union and the Association of Seafood Producers. Harvesters are calling on the province to give them more control over where they can sell their catch and how much they can sell it for. “The plants are telling us when to come and when to go and how much crab to bring…. So we need some free enterprise to be able to go as we please and fish as we please,” said Dwayne Maher, a crab fisherman of more than 30 years from Salvage. Photos, video, more, >>click to read<< 20:52

Snow crab stock projected to remain healthy, for the most part, in 2024

Fisheries and Oceans Canada released its annual stock assessment on snow crab Tuesday in St. John’s, and the data indicates the stock remains on par with last year with no major changes.  That means the stock is projected to remain healthy for the majority of fishing areas around the province, with one exception. The 2HJ zone off the east coast of Labrador remains in the cautious zone, similar to last year’s assessment.  But the positive news may be a result of an ocean cooling period that happened between 2012 and 2018.  Snow crab flourish in colder water, allowing young crab the ability to grow to exploitable age and size. That’s between nine and 13 years old with a shell size of over 94 mm for males. Female crab cannot be retained by harvesters.  more, >>click to read<< 15:06

Despite arbitrator’s ruling that FFAW strike was illegal, president says he’d do it again

A week after an arbiter ruled the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union illegally broke its collective agreement with a six-week strike at the start of the crab harvest, union president Greg Pretty says he’d do it again. The Association of Seafood Producers filed a grievance over the 2023 tie-up held to protest the low price of crab. Arbitrator David Orsborn concluded the union declared a “cessation of business dealings,” which violated the terms of the agreement and the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act. “I have a job to do. We have a job to do. Our elected leadership has a job to do. Our … crab bargaining committee has a job to do. So I’m not sure we would do things a lot differently.” more, >>click to read<< 11:38

F/V Cape Cordell: Fishing boat that ran aground near Fortune Harbour returns to dock

A fishing boat that had been grounded near Fortune on Newfoundland’s south coast is back in the water after a week of efforts to return it to safety. The ship, called the Cape Cordell, ran aground just outside Fortune Harbour last Wednesday as a blustery winter storm hit much of Newfoundland and Labrador. Blain Trainor, the Canadian Coast Guard’s acting deputy superintendent of hazard response, said crews successfully got the boat back to Fortune Harbour on Thursday morning. “The biggest challenge for us out here was the weather,” more, >>click to read<<  17:41

Response to ASP Grievance on Crab Tie-Up – What the Decision Means and Next Steps

Statement from Greg Pretty, FFAW-Unifor President – February 21, 2024 – The 2023 crab tie-up was an extremely difficult time for the entire province and our members in both fishing and processing. Unfortunately, fish harvesters felt they had to act but outdated legislation makes it illegal for harvesters to strike, as well as illegal for the Union to ‘authorize or declare a cessation of business dealings’ It is this specific language where the arbitrator found FFAW-Unifor liable. Instead of helping to resolve the catastrophically low-price in spring of 2023, ASP sat back and watched the fishery fall – only later deciding to take legal action 6 months after the issue was resolved and fishery complete. more, >>click to read<< 08:14

FFAW broke collective agreement by telling crab fishermen to keep boats tied up, arbitrator rules

An arbitrator has ruled the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union broke its collective agreement with the Association of Seafood Producers by telling crab harvesters to keep their boats tied up at the start of last season amid a price dispute. In his decision, shared by the producers’ association Tuesday, arbitrator David Orsborn concluded the union declared a “cessation of business dealings,” which violated the terms of the agreement and the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act. The tie-up lasted six weeks, and was fuelled by calls for better prices for harvesters. The price of snow crab was originally set at $2.20 per pound — where it remained when the tie-up ended — but rose to $2.60 per pound by the end of the season. Video, more, >>click to read<< 17:52

New Fisheries Protective Co-operative Taking Inspiration from Past to Help Inshore Fish Harvesters

The newly formed Fisheries Protective Co-operative is taking a deliberate page from the past in both its name, and its aim to advance the economic interest of inshore fish harvesters. Spokesperson Ryan Cleary says the name of the new co-op is a direct reference to the Fishermen’s Protective Union formed by William Ford Coaker more than a century ago. Cleary says like Coaker, the FPC was formed to help inshore enterprise owners. more, >>click to read<< 08:16

New fisheries co-op incorporated; Fisheries Protective Co-operative

A new for-profit fisheries co-operative has been incorporated to protect and advance the economic interests of the province’s independent inshore enterprise owners. To be known as the FPC, the Fisheries Protective Co-operative Newfoundland and Labrador was created over a period of several months by a steering committee of inshore harvesters from around the province, spearheaded by fishery activists Ryan Cleary and Merv Wiseman. The idea behind the FPC is to give independent owner-operators freedom over their inshore enterprises and commercial licences, and ensure a fair, transparent, and more consistent return on their investment. The long-term goal of the FPC is to become self-sufficient in all aspects of seafood operations — including harvesting, processing, marketing, and sales. The plan for the upcoming 2024 fishing season is to pool the collective quotas of members, and either hire independent companies to process fish for a per-pound fee or sell them product directly. more, >>click to read<<17:30

Crew safe after fishing boat stranded on Newfoundland’s south coast

The Canadian Coast Guard confirmed Thursday morning that the crew of a fishing boat that ran aground off the coast of Fortune on Newfoundland’s south coast have been safely evacuated from the vessel. The ship, called the Cape Cordell, ran aground just outside Fortune Harbour on Wednesday as a blustery winter storm hit much of Newfoundland and Labrador. more, >>click to read<< 08:46

Trawler Runs Aground on South Coast

A fishing trawler has run aground on the south coast. The incident happened a couple of hours before daybreak. The vessel, named the Cape Cordell, is listing as it sits about 100-feet from shore. Mayor Deanne Hickman, who is not currently in the town, tells VOCM News that the trawler is believed to have about four crew on board. She says it was on its way to the local fish plant when it ran aground. Hickman says an attempt was made to free the vessel but was unsuccessful. She says another boat will soon be making a second attempt to free the trawler. Photos, >>click to read<< 09:04

Commercial Cod Harvesters Opposed to Drastic Increases in Rec. Fishery

Commercial fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are calling for stricter monitoring of the recreational cod fishery in the province and assert that unaccounted for removals in the recreational fishery could threaten the conservation integrity of the stock. The petition to the federal government supported by Conservative MP Clifford Small is to more than double the number of days in the recreational fishery from 39 to roughly 90. Recreational removals are a significant source of uncertainty in DFO science and management and is blatantly contradictory to the Department’s mandate to monitor fish landings. more, >>click to read<< 14:04

Protesting fishermen gather at DFO office to voice frustration over redfish quota

Outside the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office in Corner Brook, a crowd of about 50 people gathered to express their frustration with a recent federal decision to allot a 19 per cent share of the redfish quota to Newfoundland and Labrador. One protestor, Rendell Genge from Anchor Point, took to the microphone and asked the crowd to raise their hands if they’ll lose their jobs if the redfish quota isn’t increased. “Redfish was our only hope. We was let down. No one was any more disappointed than I was when this announcement was made,” said Genge. “The battle is just beginning, in my books.” Thursday afternoon’s protest was organized by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union (FFAW), and secretary treasurer Jason Spingle said the crowd was there to show their resolve and disappointment regarding the recent federal decision. more, >>click to read<< 16:49

Commercial redfish fishery to reopen, but pending quota threatens to push some fishers out

“It hurts me to talk about it,” says Brad Genge, a 51-year-old inshore fisherman from Anchor Point, on the west coast of Newfoundland’s northern peninsula. Genge says what should have been a good news story – the Government of Canada’s historic reopening of the east coast commercial redfish fishery – is hitting fishermen in this province hard.  “Worst news we could have gotten,” says Genge. “Only thing that could have hurt more is if they came down and hit us in the face with a piece of lumber.” “We are done, we are out of the fishery,” says Genge, who tied up his trawler, the BNB Mariner, in early February. Video, more, >>click to read<< 08:22

FFAW DEMONSTRATION IN CORNER BROOK THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2024,

FFAW-Unifor is holding a demonstration tomorrow, Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 1:00pm outside of the DFO Building located at 1 Regent Square in Corner Brook. The Demonstration is to call attention to federal mismanagement of fisheries – in particular the recent decision by Minister Diane Lebouthillier to allocate nearly 60% of the newly commercialized Unit 1 Redfish fishery to a handful of corporate offshore draggers, instead of the 100 or so inshore, owner-operator vessels that rely on it. Minister Lebouthillier has failed in her capacity as Minister to make decisions based on her mandate and the federal Fisheries Act. Specifically, management decisions should prioritize social, economic, and cultural factors as well as the preservation and promotion of the independence of independent license holders. None of which was evident in the Minister’s decision. more, >>click to read<< 16:11

DFO ‘intellectually and morally bankrupt’ in provincial redfish allocations, N.L. minister says

Corner Brook MHA and former provincial fisheries minister Gerry Byrne says Newfoundland and Labrador deserves a higher allocation of redfish this season and is calling the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans “intellectually and morally bankrupt” in its decision-making. Nova Scotia received 33 per cent of the quota, Québec 32 per cent, New Brunswick 11 per cent and P.E.I. five per cent. Indigenous fishers and shrimp harvesters will also get an allocation of redfish following a reduction in shrimp quotas. more, >>click to read<< 08:59

Ottawa revamps redfish allocation in Gulf of St. Lawrence, but N.S. keeps largest share

Following months of anticipation and lobbying in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia, the federal government has announced how it will allocate fishing access to the redfish population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The allocations were announced on Friday by Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier at a news conference in Gaspé, Que. Under the new terms, Nova Scotia will continue to receive the largest portion of the allocation, but it appears the province has received in the past will decline. It is unclear by how much. more, >>click to read<< 15:55

This N.L. fishing vessel endured stormy seas and heartbreak before it ever touched salt water

Sitting in a thick leather chair on the bridge of his newly launched fishing vessel this week, Matthew Petten has the look of a man who’s endured an ocean full of adversity. His eyes are heavy from a lack of sleep, many days of intense stress, and sadness over the fact that his father, noted Port de Grave fisherman Dwight Petten, is not at his side for a milestone moment in his life, the launch of what is likely the most expensive and largest fishing vessel ever built in Newfoundland and Labrador for the modern inshore sector. The impressive new craft is 27 metres long, nearly 10 metres wide, and weighs a stout 400 tonnes. It’s capable of holding 100,000 pounds of crab in refrigerated seawater tanks, has a million-dollar engine room, the latest electronics package, and can accommodate up to nine crew members. Video, photos, more. >>click to read<< 07:09

Refinancing Clearwater loan worth millions in annual cash flow for Mi’kmaw owners

Mi’kmaw First Nations that own half of Canadian seafood giant Clearwater will finally start seeing multi-million dollar cash flows from their investment thanks to a loan refinancing that slashes interest payments. Their partner in the landmark deal, Premium Brands of Richmond, B.C., lent a coalition of seven Mi’kmaw First Nations about $240 million to cover their equity purchase of Clearwater in 2020. But the loan came with a hefty 10 per cent interest rate, according to the non-profit First Nations Financial Authority. Premium has agreed to refinance $100 million of that debt through the First Nations Financial Authority at its interest rate of 4.2 per cent, the authority said Tuesday. more, >>click to read<< 12:37

Liberal MHA and cabinet minister Derrick Bragg dead at 59

Seven months after announcing he had been diagnosed with tongue cancer, Derrick Bragg, a Newfoundland and Labrador cabinet minister and MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels, has died. Premier Andrew Furey announced Bragg’s death with a statement early Monday afternoon. “It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge and honour the passing of the honourable Derrick Bragg. On behalf of the people of the district of Fogo Island-Cape Freels, the entire House of Assembly, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the people of this province, everyone who was lucky enough to work with, be a friend of, or simply know Derrick, including my family, I send my deepest condolences,” said Furey in his statement, issued shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Monday. “To his family and all those feeling the weight of this loss, may the memories of a life well lived comfort and console you in these hard moments.” more, >>click to read<< 17:42

Provincial Fisheries Minister “Not on the Ball” Ahead of 2024 Snow Crab Fishery: Cleary

A long-time advocate for inshore enterprise owners is accusing the provincial fisheries minister of not being on the ball ahead of the 2024 snow crab fishery, which is only two-and-a-half months away. Ryan Cleary, who recently stepped down as the Executive Director of SEA-NL, is now focusing his efforts on the creation of a fisheries co-op for local enterprise owners. He expected a decision from Minister Elvis Loveless on new fish processing licences, and the possible lifting of a cap on independent local processors, before Christmas but there’s been no word to-date. more, >>click to read<< 09:50

Cleary steps down from SEA-NL to focus on fishery Co-op

Ryan Cleary stepped down Thursday as Executive Director of SEA-NL, a non-profit association that advocates on behalf of licensed inshore enterprise owners, to focus his full attention on the formation of a new fisheries co-operative. “I remain as passionate about SEA-NL as the day Merv Wiseman and I started the organization and will continue as a tireless advocate for the inshore fleet, but my focus is drawn to the formation of a new fisheries co-operative,” said Cleary, who was hired as SEA-NL’s first Executive Director in February 2022.  “The public can expect to hear as much or more from me on behalf of inshore enterprise owners.” Cleary said he hopes SEA-NL will continue its valuable advocacy role, and work hand-in-hand with the new co-operative to achieve the common goal of prosperous fisheries and rural communities.  “The goals and objectives of SEA-NL and the future Co-op are the same, and I hope to work collaboratively to achieve them together,” said Cleary, who continues to work with Mr. Wiseman on development of the Co-op. “Full-steam ahead.”

 

Dear Seamus: All Seasonal Workers Want for Christmas is Dignity and Respect

This Christmas season, seasonal workers in Newfoundland and Labrador are in crisis due to a failure of the federal government. Despite months of broken promises, the federal government has largely failed to support seasonal workers facing financial crisis this winter season.  This Union signalled the coming crisis to the federal government back in April when the markets for snow crab collapsed. At the time, FFAW-Unifor proposed needed changes to the federal employment insurance (EI) system and income supplements for all affected fish harvesters and plant workers.  “The crab fishery came and went, and just as the fishing season began to wind down and folks prepared to file their annual EI claims, the federal criteria for EI changed. more, >>click to read<< 14:26

New fishery co-op partners with Dandy Dan

Organizers of a fishery co-operative being formed to represent inshore enterprise owners have agreed to a letter of intent with Dan Meade to sell fish to the Ship Harbour-based processor. Under terms of the agreement, a new fish processing company will be formed that will see the future co-op earn an equity stake in exchange for a pledge to sell at least two million pounds of snow crab a year to the business. “The letter of intent brings the inshore fleet a step closer to breaking itself free from the company cartel,” says co-op organizer/spokesman Ryan Cleary, Executive Director of SEA-NL. Meade sees the partnership as an historic opportunity to rebuild trust with inshore harvesters. “I want to be part of that rebuilding process.” more, >>click to read<< 08:49

MOU to Advance Wind Energy Cannot Be at Expense of Fishing Industry

December 6, 2023 – FFAW-Unifor is dismayed at today’s news from the provincial and federal governments announcing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expediting the development of wind energy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Union is calling for a clear commitment from the Provincial Government that priority will be given during the regulatory process to consult with affected industries, in particular the fishing industry, and asks for clarifications on other issues. “Previously, the jurisdiction of offshore and nearshore energy developments has been unclear, so today’s announcement does provide a clearer path for regulation. However, the Union is concerned that the MOU fails to clarify the government’s commitment to engage with primary ocean users and not rush through regulatory processes,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty. more, >>click to read<< 16:30

Salmon farming companies settle class-action lawsuit alleging global price-fixing scheme

Seven companies accused of conspiring to manipulate the global price of salmon have agreed to pay a total of more than $5 million Cdn to settle a class-action lawsuit.  Some of the largest players in the salmon farming industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, including Mowi and Grieg, were among the companies involved. The lawsuit claimed Cermaq Canada, Grieg Seafood, Lerøy Seafood AS, Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada, Mowi ASA, Nova Sea AS and Sjór AS conspired to manipulate the Norwegian spot market for salmon prices and in doing so influence global salmon prices. more, >>click to read<< 08:33

Seal hunt advocate takes issue with EU president’s claim that Indigenous exemptions are working

The European Union’s ban on seal products did not feature heavily — if at all — during discussions between Canadian and European leaders on Friday in St. John’s, but one comment made during a news conference has drawn the ire of a group that advocates for seal harvesters. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters she believes the exemption for Indigenous sealers is going well. Doug Chiasson, executive director of the Fur Institute of Canada, was taken aback by her comments. The biggest issue, according to Chiasson, is that the 2009 ban destroyed the existing market for seal products in Europe. When the Indigenous exemption was introduced in 2015, he said, there was no longer a market for the products. >>click to read<< 13:52