N.L. Northern Shrimp Quota Takes Another Big Hit
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has announced a 63 per cent cut to the inshore Northern shrimp quota in fishing area 6 – meaning the total allowable catch for SFA 6 went from 48,196 tonnes in 2015 to 27,825 tonnes in 2016, to 10,400 tonnes announced for 2017.
This amounts to a 78 per cent quota reduction over two years.
These dramatic cuts to the harvest rate are not in line with the reduction in the Northern shrimp biomass, claims the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union ...
Amendments to the Vessel Monitoring System Schedule 19 and National VMS Form
DFO advises fish harvesters that the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Schedule 19 has been amended to reflect changes to the National Vessel Monitoring System form.
Please refer to this amended schedule to review these changes.
The department no longer requires fish harvesters to submit a National VMS Form when their service is suspended with their Communications Service Provider or when resuming VMS reporting on a unit where no changes have been made to the information currently on file ...
Harp Seal Fishery Opening
DFO advises that the Harp seal fishery in Areas 5 to 8 and 12 will open, for a limited harvest of adult Harp seals, at 0600 hours on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 to Friday, April 07, 2017 at 2000 hours.
This harvest will only be open for those sealers who have been issued valid 2017 licence conditions specific to this adult-only, Harp seal-only harvest.
Sealers are reminded that as per Section 30 of the Marine Mammal Regulations, “No person shall fish for adult harp or hooded seals in the ...
DFO Reports Northern Cod Stock Up Seven Per Cent
Scientists with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are taking a cautious approach to the latest stock update of Northern cod of Newfoundland.
DFO stock assessment biologist Karen Dwyer provided a technical briefing March 27 on the cod stock status in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL.
She said, since 2012, the stock continues to increase, but is still in the lower half of the critical zone. From 2015 to 2016, the overall cod biomass increased by seven per cent and in keeping with the ...
FISH-NL Wants Reserve Shrimp Quota For Inshore Fleet
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) is calling for an immediate halt to the fishing of northern shrimp by factory-freezer offshore trawlers in waters off Newfoundland’s northeast coast and southern Labrador until stocks rebound.
In light of an expected dramatic cut to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of northern shrimp in the area known as Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6, FISH-NL is requesting that the federal government reserve the limited quota ...
Redfish FIP Established in Gulf
Industry participants, government and non-government partners today announced the launch of a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) for Units 1 and 2 redfish in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence and Laurentian Channel.
Historically, redfish fisheries in Units 1 and 2 achieved combined annual catches of 100,000 tonnes. That ended in the early 1990s when this over-exploited stock complex entered an extended period of low productivity.
But by 2020, new recruits that exploded onto the scene in ...
Labour Relations Board To Review FFAW Membership List
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) said it is pleased with the latest order of the province’s Labour Relations Board regarding the release of membership lists of commercial inshore harvesters.
After hearing arguments on Friday morning, by late Friday afternoon the board ordered the Fish, Food and Allied workers union (FFAW) to turn over its list of commercial inshore harvesters who were members of the FFAW between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 30, ...
Ottawa Creates $325-Million Atlantic Fisheries Fund
The federal government has announced an investment of $325 million to create an Atlantic Fisheries Fund, that is aimed at benefiting the fishery in all four Atlantic Provinces.
The Fund is aimed at stimulating innovation, with a focus on growing opportunities and increasing their value to meet market demands for sustainably sourced, high quality fish and seafood products.
Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada said, in this sector, which is integral to the region...
William Wells Named Chair of New Fisheries Advisory Council
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government announced today that William Wells has been appointed the independent chairperson of the new Fisheries Advisory Council, effective immediately.
Wells appointment was made through the merit-based appointment process established by the Independent Appointments Commission Act.
“Mr. Wells has extensive experience in the fishery dating back many years including leadership roles on the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel, Fishery Products ...
FISH-NL Launches Province-Wide Fundraising Drive
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) is today launching a major fundraising drive — Fish or cut bait — to support the break-away union’s certification application before the Labour Relations Board.
“Fish or cut bait is an appeal to inshore harvesters — to the entire province — that if you want change in the fishery it’s time to step up and put your money where you mouth is,” says Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL. “We need all ...
