Eat More Local Seafood
“Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.” — Samuel Pepys: 17th century administrator of the navy of England and Member of Parliament.
Being a navy officer, Pepys probably consumed his fair share of seafood back in his day and it probably tasted a lot better than some of the gruel being served below decks. Jump ahead nearly four centuries, to the eve of the 2020 holiday season and efforts are being made to ensure more people are acquiring a taste for seafood ...
The Twine Loft – December 2020
Passed On: Kenneth Fillier – Englee, N.L. mariner and fish plant worker
Fillier, 94, passed away on October 4 at the Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony. He was born on December 15, 1925 in Hampden, N.L. and moved to Englee at an early age. He worked in many areas through his life, from working in the woods, operating as a deckhand on freighters and cooking on the Grenfell Mission boat, Marvel. In the last 18 years before retirement, he worked at the fish plant in Englee.
Passed ...
On the Waterfront – December 2020
Qalipu Launches Seal Oil Capsule Initiative
Funding provided through the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Seafood Development Program is supporting the launch of WASPU, a new Indigenous brand seal oil capsule developed by the Qalipu First Nation.
Funding up to $25,200 will be provided to the Qalipu Development Corporation — a business subsidiary of the Qalipu First Nation — to help with the launch of WASPU brand seal oil capsules into the ...
Our Fishery is Not Only Neglected, But for Sale
Imagine our centuries-old fishery taken over by a foreign country.
Imagine a minister of fisheries representing our province’s interest rubber-stamping this proposal.
Imagine the recommendation coming from a five-member, all-male board with little experience.
The unimaginable above is truly our reality for our iconic industry.
Denmark recently bought interests in the Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, with the aim to now purchase additional fishing companies. Those Newfoundland ...
A So-Called U.S. Charity Receives Money from the Federal Government
The following letter was addressed to Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan and Minister of Environment and Climate Jonathan Wilkinson.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is an American-based animal rights organization headquartered in the U.S., but propagandizing worldwide.
The IFAW is a multi-million-dollar animal rights activist group. It has built its multi-million-dollar brand attacking the people and Parliament of Canada ...
University Helps Out Local Fishermen
Memorial University may be closed, but on the upside, it has given us access to one of its parking lots in Corner Brook to allow local fishermen to work on fishing gear while the pandemic is ongoing.
We have been working there since early May and will be in great shape for the autumn/winter herring fishery.
Purse seines require a large flat area to be mended properly. After the federal government privatized our city’s port facilities, we lost access to the dockyard and warehouses. We ...
Opportunity is Knocking
Above photo by Mark Blundon
As it is with every profession, the fishing industry is not devoid of myths, fallacies and distortions.
One of the most common falsehoods, especially in Atlantic Canada, is the widespread view that the commercial fishery is in decline and offers few long-term employment opportunities. In fact, as you all know, nothing could be further from the truth.
In Nova Scotia, notably in the Southwest region, the value of seafood catches, particularly lobster, has ...
Gulf Redfish: Bonanza or Boondoggle?
By Barry Darby
The history of Newfoundland and Labrador is replete with stories of our people’s ability to deal with hardship.
Stories of disasters and bravery form the basis of how resilient we know ourselves to be.
What is less celebrated is the catalogue of historical events where we have failed to transform our great advantages, opportunities and natural wealth into sustainable economic and societal growth. In fact, we have often been quite adept at “snatching defeat from the ...
Alaska Snow Crab Quota up 11 Million Pounds, But Won’t Change Dynamic of Oversold Market
The Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game (ADF&G) recently announced the 2020/2021 crab quotas.
Mostly, the results confirmed industry expectations, although snow crab increases were lower than hoped.
For red king crab, the precarious nature of the stock has led to a cut of 1.15-million pounds, which is 30 per cent below the 3.8-million-pound quota set in 2019.
The stock has been on a long-term decline and earlier management strategies would have completely closed the fishery.
However, ...
No Resolution in Sight for Moderate Livelihood Fishery Dispute
Above photo: Hundreds of people from as far away as Cape Breton attended a rally in Digby on Oct. 13. Kathy Johnson photo
Confusion continues to reign supreme since a self-regulated, moderate livelihood lobster fishery was initiated this fall by First Nations in Nova Scotia.
Rallies have been held, violence and property damage has occurred, charges have been laid, a temporary court injunction issued and a federal special representative appointed to facilitate discussions between the ...
