Maritime Seafood Coalition Formed in Response to Chronic Labour Shortage
The Maritime Seafood Coalition, announced this week, is a growing collection of fishing enterprises (fishers), industry organizations, and regional stakeholders working together to challenge the Federal government’s apparent unwillingness to take seriously the chromic labour shortage in the seafood sector.
Lack of labour places Canada at a trade disadvantage: While labour shortages in fish and food processing are common in most developed nations, our competitors have the ability to use low ...
Newfoundland and Labrador Cod Fishery Enters Harvester-driven Fisheries Improvement Project
A new Fisheries Improvement Project led by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) and WWF-Canada is aiming to bring a renowned Newfoundland and Labrador cod fishery that’s been under a fishing moratorium since 1992 back to a healthy level – and eventual commercial viability.
The northern cod stock in NAFO area 2J3KL has shown clear signs of growth in some areas since 2006, with current trends pointing to even larger increases if current and future fisheries are well ...
Lobster Fishing Opening in Western N.L.
DFO advises that the lobster fishery for LFA 13A (Cape Ray to Cape St. George) and LFA 13B, Cape St. George to Cape St. Gregory will open at 0600hrs, May 1, 2015.
Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date, as well 13B conditions prohibit gear retrieval between 2100 hours (9 p.m.) on Saturday and 0500 hours (5 a.m.) on Monday.
Please be advised that the large lobster ...
Fines For Illegal Fishing Of Atlantic Halibut Total Over $1 Million
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is taking a more intelligence-led and longer-term approach to conserving and protecting fishery resources in Atlantic Canada and its efforts are paying off for the Atlantic halibut fishery in particular.
DFO’s increased focus on the monitoring of catch and landings of Atlantic halibut has resulted in a long line of convictions, totaling over $1 million in fines and forfeitures over the last five years.
Atlantic halibut is an important resource and great ...
Project Funding Announced for Small Craft Harbours
Senator Fabian Manning announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in major improvement projects at small craft harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This funding will provide a safer and more efficient working environment for fishermen and harbour users across the province.
Over the next two years funding will be allocated to harbour improvement projects at the 19 following harbours:
Arnold’s Cove – constructing a floating breakwater
Aquaforte – reconstructing ...
Corner Brook Port Expansion Begins with $1.4 million Investment
The Provincial Government is providing $1.4 million in funding to the Corner Brook Port Corporation to support refurbishment and repurposing of the former gypsum factory at 85 Riverside Drive into an industrial port facility.
Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Humber West, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, this morning at the corporation’s office in Corner Brook.
This ...
Ice Delaying Start of Gulf Lobster Fishery
The Journal Pioneer is reporting the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is delaying the opening of spring lobster fisheries in parts of P.E.I., New Brunswick and Nova Scotia due to ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The delay impacts Lobster Fishing Areas 24 and 26A in P.E.I., LFA 23 in northern and northeastern New Brunswick, 26B in the Pictou and Cheticamp areas of Nova Scotia and LFA 27 off Cape Breton.
The season was due to open April 30 in most of those areas. No firm date on the ...
Coast Guard Reopens Seasonal SAR Bases
Now that spring is here, the Canadian Coast Guard would like to inform the public that its seasonal search and rescue bases in Quebec City, Tadoussac, Kegaska, Rivière-au-Renard, Havre-Saint-Pierre and Cap-aux-Meules are open.
The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal bases are strategically located to provide rapid assistance and reduce the number and severity of maritime incidents and risks to the environment. The bases are open from April to November.
The Canadian Coast Guard reminds the ...
More Fisheries-related Convictions Handed Out
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region announced April 23 that two Yarmouth County men, arrested in 2012 for possessing 6,222 illegal-sized lobsters, were convicted last week and fined a total of $62,500 under the Fisheries Act.
A surveillance operation conducted by local Fishery Officers in Comeau’s Hill on April 27, 2012 uncovered 24 cages of lobsters onboard fishing vessel Melanie Lynn II.
Appearing before the Yarmouth court on April 17, 2015, Earl Patrick Boudreau pleaded ...
DFO Conducts Beaked Whale Necropsy
DFO scientists conducted a necropsy on a 2,200-pound Sowerby’s beaked whale today In St. John’s.
The rare beaked whale was discovered dead and washed ashore at Point Lance on the southern Avalon Peninsula on February 7. The whale is an adult female measuring 16 feet.
The Sowerby’s beaked whale is a reclusive, deep water species that is rarely seen near shore. The species is listed as special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act. For more photos of the necropsy, see the ...
