Does the Science Branch Need to be DFO’s Lightning Rod?
What does the international game of cricket have in common with fisheries science today?
Stumped on this one?
Well, let’s have an Indian cricket player sum it up for you: “Wicket keeping is a lot like umpiring, as it’s a thankless job. People only remember you for your mistakes. You try and do your best every day, but you won’t be at your best every single day.”
Many scientists at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are probably nodding in approval as they perused ...
The Twine Loft – April 2020
Passed On: Hedley Richards – Halifax, N.S. fisherman
Richards, 71, passed away on Feb. 18 at home. He spent most of his life on the water fishing alongside his father and brothers. For many years he served as a member of the school board, was actively involved with St. Paul’s Anglican Church, St. Carols, N.L. and spent countless hours working with the FFAW Inshore Council. The FFAW/Unifor recognized him for outstanding service, in appreciation of his commitment and dedication to building a ...
On the Waterfront – April 2020
Conservation Groups Welcome Ruling on Hatchery Expansion
Ecojustice, on behalf of grassroots groups and individuals concerned about the health of wild Atlantic salmon stocks, welcomed the recent Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador’s decision on the Indian Head Hatchery Expansion Project.
Ecojustice went to court in November 2019 on behalf of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland, the Freshwater-Alexander Bays Ecosystem Corporation, the Port au Port Bay Fishery Committee, ...
Nova Scotia is the Gold Standard for Aquaculture
Recently there’s been a lot of talk about aquaculture and Nova Scotians deserve to have their questions answered.
But without the facts, we can’t have an honest conversation. Recent information circulating about the aquaculture industry is inaccurate and fails to recognize it for the safe, sustainable, growth-oriented industry that it is.
For more than 40 years, Nova Scotians have supported marine fish farming and recognized that it can co-exist with other fisheries on working ...
Industry Must Prepare as COVID-19 Changing Supply Chain Behaviour
With the spread of the coronavirus to new countries, I now believe the seafood industry is going to face its worst crisis since the economic collapse of 2008.
That was difficult and frightening enough.
From October to December of 2008, fresh whole salmon prices dropped 20 per cent. From August 2008 to January 2009, shrimp prices in the Urner Barry farmed shrimp index fell 16 per cent. Cod loins, which were at record prices in November of 2008, fell 34 per cent over the next 11 months, in ...
Valuing Fish
Last month, I wrote a column about valuing the ocean.
This month, I will follow up with a column about valuing fish, just one of the resources the ocean provides but a very important one, both globally and here in Atlantic Canada.
In 2011, Michael Mainelli and Ian Harris published an award-winning book entitled The Price of Fish: A New Approach to Wicked Economics and Better Decisions. It is worth noting that the authors were involved in creation of the Marine Stewardship Council, which ...
Coronavirus Causing Losses for Local Lobster Industry
2020 SENA in Boston Postponed
Above: Shore workers at the Lower Woods Harbour wharf stack a crate of tubed lobsters onto a pallet for the next stage of their journey to market. Kathy Johnson photo
The loss of the Chinese market for live lobster due to the coronavirus this winter has caused major losses for the seafood industry in southwestern Nova Scotia.
“There’s been so much money lost its going to be hard to rebound from this one,” said Lockeport lobster dealer ...
A Cautiously Optimistic N.L. Snow Crab Stock Assessment
FFAW Still Concerned Over Precautionary Approach Framework
For the third year in succession, scientists at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are painting a somewhat bright, yet cautious, picture for snow crab stocks off Newfoundland and Labrador.
At the recent 2020 annual snow crab technical meeting, DFO reported that despite some stock increases, the overall exploitable biomass remained near historic lows in 2019, but noted that there are some positive signs for future recruit...
Shrimp Stocks in SFA 6 Down Eight Per Cent
FFAW Takes Issue with 24 Per Cent of DFO Survey Not Completed
After a hint of promise last year in the Northern shrimp fishery off Newfoundland’s northeast coast, it seems the stock has dropped yet again — particularly in the all-important shrimp fishing area (SFA) 6.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) held a technical briefing in February regarding the 2020 Northern shrimp stock assessment and reported that the SFA 6 biomass has dropped in relation to 2019. SFA 6 is where the ...
Surf Clam Fishery Partnership Exceeds Expectations in First Year
A landmark agreement announced in March 2019 between Clearwater Seafoods and 14 First Nations communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, that forged a 50-year partnership in the Arctic surf clam fishery, is reportedly exceeding expectations.
“Year one of the partnership fostered through this landmark agreement has exceeded our expectations,” said Christine Penney, Clearwater vice-president.
“Tangible benefits are being generated for all parties. Year one has been a ...
