ECFE Returns to Yarmouth, N.S. After Four-Year Hiatus
Above: The 2023 Atlantic Canada Marine Industries Hall of Fame inductees for Nova Scotia were Terry Zinck, Bruce Atkinson and Penny Graham. Terry Zinck’s award was accepted by his son Brock (L).
The 35th edition of the Eastern Canadian Fisheries Exposition (ECFE), presented by The Navigator Magazine, the TriNav Group of Companies and Master Promotions, wrapped up over the weekend of January 20–21 in Yarmouth, N.S., welcoming 4,274 people from all walks of the commer...
Bob Greek: Looking Back at 50 Years of AEL
Bob Greek, the founder of Atlantic Electronics Limited (AEL), started his own business in 1973.
Now, 50 years later, just after his 82nd birthday, he is reflecting on the success of AEL.
AEL began as a technical service depot for marine navigational and communications equipment. Over time, it began to provide technical services as well as sales for leading manufacturers in the marine electronics industry. AEL is also the exclusive distributor for Hondex and Scanmar marine electronics.
...
Marbase and Miawpukek First Nation Sign MOU for Lumpfish Hatchery
Marbase and Newdock executive Paul Antle is seeing much-needed development in his business ventures in 2023.
Marbase, an aquaculture supply company, recently partnered with the Miawpukek First Nation to develop a lumpfish hatchery in Marystown, N.L. The hatchery, based out of the former Marystown shipyard, has been in the cards for Marbase since 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the project was delayed.
“We haven’t started construction as we ran into some problems during COVID — ...
Jackson’s Shipyard: A Family Legacy
Above: Derrick Jackson, owner of Jackson’s Shipyard, in front of his facility in Whiteway, N.L.
Derrick Jackson has been involved in building fishing boats for most of his life.
The Whiteway, N.L. native started in the 1980s working for his father and as of 2006 has gone on his own to run Jackson’s Shipyard as a Master Shipbuilder.
The legacy of Jackson’s Shipyard began with its predecessor, Jackson’s Boatyard, which was started in 1976 by Fred Jackson after ...
Georges Bank 2023 Haddock Quota Cut
The Eastern Georges Bank haddock quota has been cut by more than two-thirds in 2023, with a 2,320-tonne TAC (total allowable catch) set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), compared to 7,473 tonnes in 2022.
It’s the lowest the TAC has been in the last 10 years, dropping from a high of 24,400 metric tonnes in 2018. In 2019, the TAC was reduced to 15,000 tonnes, in 2020, 13,800 tonnes and in 2021, 7,614 tonnes.
“Spawning stock biomass (SSB) for EGB (Eastern Georges Bank) haddock has ...
New FFAW-Unifor President Outlines Mandate for Coming Season
After a decisive victory for the new Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) President Greg Pretty, he has indicated he will be taking a more “vocal and confrontational” approach to union leadership.
“There are times when people have to demonstrate and they have to stand up for what they believe in. I believe we’ve been very successful when we do that and we’re not so successful when we just sit and watch the parade go by. I’m going to bring that to the table. In fact, ...
Southwest Nova Lobster Season Meandering Along
With an increased demand in China and a shore price that fishermen can live with, January was a little bit brighter than the opening month of the season for the Southwestern Nova Scotia lobster fishery, but there’s still lots of uncertainty what spring will bring.
“I think things are coming along in January the way they normally come along in January,” said Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association.
“The catches have slowed down. The weather has been okay for ...
Uncertain Snow Crab Season Becomes More Uncertain
Japan, South Korea Shirk Local Supply in Favour of Russian Exports
Japanese imports of Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab have considerably fallen over the last year in favour of Russian exports, which is undercutting Newfoundland and Labrador prices by around $10 per kilogram.
“Japan did buy from us last year, but it was a drastically reduced amount based on historical purchases by Japan,” said N.L. Member of Parliament Clifford Small, Shadow Minister of Fisheries, Oceans ...
Knowledge Itself is Power
To the surprise of few, the current season in lobster fishing areas 33–34 is turning out to be a difficult one.
Everyone involved with what is one of the world’s largest lobster fisheries knew the chips were stacked against them this year. Some have even called it a perfect storm of decreased landings, markets and prices, combined with early foul and inclement weather.
From lower shore prices, to international market uncertainty, to the back-breaking jump in inflation — these ...
Legislation Jeopardizing Future of Fishing Enterprises
Recently, I was out for a little beachside ride on my quad near the once busy fishing community of Black Duck Cove, on Twillingate Island, when I noticed a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) sign washed ashore on the beach.
The sign read “structure in disrepair — keep off.”
As I picked it up, I thought, not only a literal statement of the decrepit wharf which it had obviously been attached to, but a sad metaphor for the future of so many of our fishing villages.
So, I ...
