Organization and Lobbyists Could Be Solution to Industry Woes
When the late U.S. President Lyndon Johnson appointed a person into his inner circle, who at times had publicly disagreed with his policies, he justified his decision by saying he’d rather have the guy inside the tent peeing out than outside the tent peeing in.
When it comes to having any influence with governments, especially Ottawa concerning the commercial fishery, hiring lobbyists is the solution because the opposition is doing so and with results.
Three worried lobster harvesters ...
Negative Reaction to Lobster Industry Observer Program
A recent meeting conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on a proposed Nova Scotia lobster observer program drew a mixed reaction.
The Lockeport meeting was held in June and was meant for organized groups of lobster harvesters in the region.
“We weren’t told what the meeting was all about and by law organized fishermen’s group like ours have to be told,” Colin Sproul said.
He is the spokesman for the 175-member Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermens Association.
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A Hard Year For Ice: Plant Workers Included in Federal Compensation Plan
Newfoundland and Labrador is no stranger to ice floes, but even the most seasoned marine veteran will tell you that the 2017 season has been unprecedented.
Almost daily northeasterly gales blasted the province’s east coast all spring, leading to unusually thick arctic ice being rafted unto the shore, blocking harbours and preventing many fishermen from reaching the snow crab grounds.
As a result of the constant fishing delays and much lobbying by stakeholders in the province, the ...
Cod — Building the Fishery of the Future
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation will be holding a conference on the theme Cod —Building the Fishery of the Future at the Quality Hotel and Suites in Gander on November 22 and 23, 2017.
We are holding the conference to provide people who expect to be part of the future cod industry with information they will need to prepare for it.
In this column, I don’t usually talk much about the work we do at CCFI. My purpose is more to challenge the industry to think about what we do ...
Canadian Scientists Call for Additional MPA Improvements
The following letter was addressed to Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
We, the undersigned Canadian marine scientists, urge the Government of Canada to increase the level of protection currently provided to Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) through Environment and Climate Change Canada.
We also call for increased transpar...
Fisheries Issues Can be Traced to Three Root Causes
The more people I talk to about the fishery, the more I become convinced that there are three root causes of the reoccurring catastrophes in the fishing industry.
Those causes are corporate profits, election votes and union agendas. Combined, they add up to political interference.
We have been digging and tunneling for hundreds of years, but we still have more non-renewable resources left under the ground than we have renewable resources left under the water.
What does that tell us ...
On the Waterfront – August 2017
Polar Prince on Epic Voyage
A St. John’s-based Canadian icebreaker is on an epic voyage of discovery across the Arctic to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The Canada C3 ship, the Polar Prince, is a 220-foot former Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker currently on a 23,000-kilometre voyage from Toronto to Victoria, via the Northwest Passage, stopping in many ports along its route.
The Canada C3’s journey from the Great Lakes into the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans has four main ...
All in the Family
Above Photo: Harris Richards (on the engine), Glen Richards (front left) in yellow and Hubert Richards (front right)
Harrison (Harris) Richards has fished alongside his brothers for 50 years.
In fact, for many of those years, there were at least five and sometimes six brothers fishing onboard the same vessel.
His eldest brother is Willis Whyatt. Willis carries his mother’s maiden name because his father drowned in 1941 when Willis was just five months old. His mom, Elizabeth ...
No Movement on Nova Scotia Lobster Marketing Plan
The idea of lobster harvesters in LFA 33-34 paying for a marketing scheme is in the doldrums.
Word is that the Nova Scotia government will not force the issue, so the decision is up to the 1,600 mostly unorganized or unaffiliated harvesters in this area.
The United States is a year ahead of Nova Scotia in this regard.
Maine, the nation’s leading lobster producer, has a Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative in motion. The aim, funded by lobster harvesters, is to make Americans aware ...
Keeping Traditions Afloat: The Wooden Boat Museum Celebrates 20 years
The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador (WBMNL) is dedicated to safeguarding the skills and knowledge of wooden boat builders. More than a museum, we document, celebrate and transmit our wooden boat heritage and explore the role of wooden boats in shaping the cultural identity of our province. This year, the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador is celebrating 20 years of dedication to preserving, commemorating and transmitting this knowledge.
Located in Winterton, ...
