From Fisheries Mismanagement to Oceans Management
Imagine if the future of the planet was being decided by a small group of bureaucrats and mining bosses in closed meetings in far-flung parts of the world.
Rather than looking at the overall impacts, these meetings only looked at things from one perspective — making sure that the mining companies could increase their takings — and ignoring other consequences, be they environmental, social or economic.
If that were the case, wouldn’t you think there would be an outcry, massive ...
Offshore Companies Get Leg-Up From DFO
In March, the news broke that DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) spent untold millions completing two weeks of science work for redfish on the Mersey Venture, a 200-foot factory freezer trawler owned by Mersey Seafoods and part of the offshore lobby group, the Atlantic Groundfish Council, headed by Bruce Chapman.
Go on, ‘by. Surely the Union’s not out complaining about the government doing more science work when that’s what they’re going on about half the time?
In an effort ...
Legislation Jeopardizing Future of Fishing Enterprises
Recently, I was out for a little beachside ride on my quad near the once busy fishing community of Black Duck Cove, on Twillingate Island, when I noticed a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) sign washed ashore on the beach.
The sign read “structure in disrepair — keep off.”
As I picked it up, I thought, not only a literal statement of the decrepit wharf which it had obviously been attached to, but a sad metaphor for the future of so many of our fishing villages.
So, I ...
Price Negotiations Process is Skewed in Favour of Processing Companies
The provincial government recently released the review recommendations for our fishery’s price setting panel late last week.
The review was mainly done in response to the 2022 fishery — where processors refused to sit across the negotiations table from us, refused to pay the prices set by the panel and closed some fisheries down entirely.
2022 was by far the most difficult year of negotiations I can recall as someone who has been around the table now for over a decade. I’ve been ...
Monterey Bay Aquarium Spreading Misinformation About Sustainability of Maine Lobster Fishery
Given the recent recommendations released by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program for American lobster, we write to share important facts about the Maine lobster industry’s long history of sustainability and commitment to protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
We ask that you will respect the science and evidence outlined below as you consider purchasing American lobster.
In Maine, more than 4,500 lobstermen and women, all of whom are, by law, self-employed, ...
Unsung Hero of the N.L. Inshore Fishery
I am aware and many others have spoken of Cabot Martin’s campaign to make sure that our offshore oil would be of great benefit for the people of this province.
Everywhere you go on the Avalon Peninsula there is proof of what was accomplished.
My story is the little-known fight for our most valuable renewable resource, the inshore fishery, although we were worlds apart prior to our first meeting, him being a St. John’s lawyer and me being a humble fisherman.
I met Cabot in the ...
Seeking Information on P.E.I. Trawler Fishery
I am collecting historical information on the offshore trawler fishery in Prince Edward Island from 1950 until 1993.
The fishery operated out of Souris and Georgetown, P.E.I.
From 1969 to approximately 1984, H.B Nickerson/National Sea operated 10–11 steel, stern trawlers and a processing plant in Georgetown, all acquired from the P.E.I. Government in 1969.
I would like to communicate with anyone familiar with the vessels and/or the operation of that plant.
Also, from the mid-1980s ...
Wild-Caught Fish Has Low Carbon Footprint
Some weeks ago on The Broadcast, former Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne pointed out that wild-caught fish has one of the lowest carbon footprints of all human food sources.
That fact is extremely important for our fisheries as we face ever-deepening problems of climate change and global food supply.
Wild fish has an impressively low carbon footprint — estimated at around 3kg CO2 equivalents per kg of product. That is less than rice, olive oil, poultry or farmed ...
Mackerel Moratorium a Major Mistake
I’ve been a professional fish harvester for more than 30 years.
Three generations of my family have made their livelihoods from fishing.
I lived and worked through the cod moratorium and I’ve watched our inshore fishery evolve in ways we never thought possible. But what I am witnessing these last few years has truly made me question whether an inshore fishery will be around one hundred years from now, as our federal government continues to fail us in catastrophic ways. The failures, ...
DFO Must Revisit Mackerel and Herring Fishing Closures
Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on April 8, 2022.
The Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) represent 1,275 independent core fish harvesters on P.E.I.; all of whom are impacted by the announcement of the mackerel and spring herring closures.
Deck hands, harbour workers, local businesses and rural fishing communities are also affected by this harsh decision. PEIFA would ...
