Plant Worker Shortages: A Complex and Stubborn Dilemma
Thomas Edison once said, “The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.”
This tidbit of wisdom makes all the sense in the world. However, the Atlantic Canada seafood processing industry seems to have the complete opposite problem: the opportunities have been clearly identified, but the overall-wearing folks can’t be found.
Atlantic seafood processing is a critical link in the seafood value chain and ...
The Twine Loft – June 2019
Passed On: Niko Clair – Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, N.S. fisherman
Clair, 29, died tragically with his cousin, Ozzy Clair, on April 8, 2019, in his home of Paqtnkek Mikmaw Nation, Antigonish County. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers and loved to teach anyone who wanted to learn. He was a prankster with a contagious laugh and smile. He often volunteered and was there for anyone in time of need, especially when the community needed a fire keeper for ceremonies or funerals. He ...
On the Waterfront – June 2019
FFAW Concerned Over Grieg Aquaculture Applications
On May 2, the FFAW-Unifor said it was notified of three applications by Grieg Aquaculture for sites east of Merasheen Island in Placentia Bay.
The union is now calling on the provincial government to not to move forward with any project approval until it has pursued a proper consultation process with fish harvesters, as this project may put the livelihood of harvesters in the area at risk.
The three sites are for Darby Harbour, Butler ...
Canadian Sealing: A Labyrinth of Lies
Bang — one dead seal out of a population of about 7,500,000.
For over 50 years, Canadian marine mammal scientists have studied the harp seal herd off the east coast of Canada, so we have a very good understanding of them.
From this science, the Government of Canada sets annual quotas that sealers can kill and yet sustain the health of the herd. During this period, we have more than tripled the size of the herd.
The seals we hunt are fully weened and independent of their dames.
H...
Shrimp Market Turmoil With High Prices in Newfoundland and Strike on West Coast
There was a lot of turmoil in the coldwater prawn market prior to the Brussels seafood show, as demand seems to be stronger at the moment, but it is unclear whether the strength will last.
Norway is beginning to see landings from the Barents Sea and export volumes of cooked and peeled shrimp are about 40 per cent higher for the first three months of this year than last year. However, current prices for cooked and peeled are about 11 per cent lower than the full-year average of 2018.
The ...
Fisheries Resource Management
Apart from my day job at the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, I teach a course in the Master of Marine Studies (Fisheries Resource Management) program at Memorial University’s Marine Institute, entitled, Overview of World Fisheries.
Before I go any further, I should confess that I am not a fisheries scientist and have never managed fish resources. However, I have been in the industry a long time, I have had a broad range of experience in the industry and I have literally traveled ...
Weather Hampers Spring Lobster Fishery in Southwest Nova Scotia
Above: Kathy Johnson Photo
Fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia were hoping for better weather in May as the six-month lobster season in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 comes to a close.
Strong winds and rough seas continued to hamper lobster fishing efforts throughout April.
“The catches are above average from last year this time, but the problem is the boats aren’t getting out,” said Mike Cotter, owner of Cotters Ocean Products in Lockeport. “The weather has been ...
FISH-NL Vows to Fight On
Labour Group Announces it Will be Proceeding with Second Certification Drive Later This Year
Earlier this spring, it appeared the death knell was not far off for the Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL).
Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL, made a final plea that the upstart labour organization would be shuttered by the end of April and abandon a second attempt at certification unless inshore harvesters stepped up to the plate and paid their ...
Eight-Year Study Shows no Impact on Lobster Abundance, Size or Growth from Aquaculture Operations
An eight-year study of the lobster population in about a one-kilometre radius of a fish farm in waters off Grand Manan Island, N.B. concludes there was no adverse impact on lobster abundance, size or growth from aquaculture operations.
The study, conducted between 2008 and 2015, was a condition of a licence for Benson Aquaculture Ltd. and done in collaboration with the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, which coordinated the study. Surveying started before the fish farm opened to ...
Offshore Petroleum Boards Given Too Much Power in New Impact Assessment Act, say Fishing Industry Reps
Nova Scotia seafood industry representatives are hoping their plea for changes to Bill C-69 didn’t fall on deaf ears when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources in Halifax on April 24.
The hearing was one of three in Atlantic Canada and nine across the country to study Bill C-69, An Act to Enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act and to amend and rename the Navigation Protection Act.
Under the Impact ...
