On the Waterfront – January 2022

20th Anniversary of Fish Canada Workboat Canada Show Coming in January

Canada’s largest commercial marine event is charting course for the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The much-anticipated event is scheduled to take place January 21–22, 2022 — kicking off the 20th edition of this biennial event.

With Moncton as a central location to much of the surrounding coastal regions, Fish Canada Workboat Canada attracts people from the fishing, aquaculture, processing and workboat industries from throughout the Maritimes and Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula. The last edition, held in January 2020, broke attendance records with a total of 7,237 visitors over two-days.

The busy 2020 Fish Canada Workboat Canada show in Moncton.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of our 2020 event,” says Shawn Murphy, Show Manager. “We are looking forward to another year of strong attendance numbers and a sold-out show floor.”

Booth spaces for this year are going quickly and already more than 85 per cent of the floor has been sold. Those interested in exhibiting at Fish Canada Workboat Canada are invited to visit the show website www.FCWC.ca or contact the show manager.

Registration for visitors who are planning to attend this key industry event is now open. Convenient online registration is available for only $10. Pre-registration allows visitors to save money (the price increases to $20 at the door) and fast-tracks their entrance to the show floor.

For complete show details, visit www.FCWC.ca and follow the show on Facebook.

SHOW HOURS:

Friday, January 21, 2022

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Acadia First Nation Joins Bear River and Annapolis Valley First Nations in Moderate Livelihood Fishery

Fishers from Acadia First Nation have joined Bear River and Annapolis Valley First Nation fishers in pursuit of a moderate livelihood fishery in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33, 34 and 35.

Along with Glooscap First Nations, the four First Nations in western Nova Scotia jointly developed the Kespukwitk Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Management Plan for lobster that led to an interim understanding with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) earlier this fall.

Under the plan, designated Mi’kmaw harvesters are authorized to fish up to 3,500 lobster traps, up to 70 per harvester (210 per boat), during the established seasons in LFAs 33, 34 and 35, which surround the traditional Mi’kmaw Kespukwitk District.

Glooscap First Nations may request its community take part in fishing this season under the understanding at a later date.

“I am so pleased that Acadia First Nation will join members from the Bear River and Annapolis Valley First Nations to fish for a moderate livelihood,” said newly minted DFO minister Joyce Murray in a media release.

“The understanding reached between our nations is rooted in a management plan developed by and for these Mi’kmaw communities to further exercise their Treaty right. Together, we are making real progress and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with First Nations towards reconciliation and a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous fishery.”

Kespukwitk is one of the seven Mi’kmaw districts in Atlantic Canada and Quebec and corresponds to Southwest Nova Scotia. The interim implementation of the Kespukwitk Plan will not increase fishing effort in these LFAs.

Baffin Fisheries to Build Canada’s Largest Fishing Vessel

The Board of Directors of Baffin Fisheries recently announced it has secured financing and signed a shipyard contract for the construction of a clean-design, purpose-built, 80-metre stern trawler, to be delivered in February 2024.

The new vessel is designed by Skipsteknisk A/S of Norway and will be constructed by Tersan Shipyard of Turkey, the world leaders in stern trawler design and construction.

The vessel is expected to be the largest Canadian-owned fishing vessel from coast to coast to coast, with a capacity for up to 1,320 tonnes of frozen-at-sea Greenland halibut (turbot) or 930 tonnes of cold-water shrimp.

“This is a great accomplishment for a 100 per cent Inuit-owned company that’s just 20 years old,” said Baffin Fisheries Chairman David Alexander in Iqaluit.

“The new vessel will allow us to immediately increase benefits to Nunavut communities and improve employment opportunities and working conditions for our Inuit fishermen.”

Baffin Fisheries is owned by Inuit Hunters and Trappers Associations in five Qikiqtani region (Baffin Island) communities. The company was incorporated on Nov. 6, 2001.

Scotiabank led the incremental financing of up to $60 million towards the $72-million acquisition and included direct lending from Export Development Canada (EDC). The Canadian Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is providing a $3-million repayable contribution towards the vessel.

P.E.I. RIG Program Offering Financial Support

Prince Edward Island fishing, aquaculture and processing companies can now apply for financial support through the P.E.I. Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Innovation and Growth (RIG) Program.

The RIG Program first launched in 2019 as a way to help P.E.I. companies within the fisheries and aquaculture industry adopt innovative and creative solutions to enhance their efficiency and quality through industry-led research. Since its launch, 19 companies have received funding to help carry out sustainable projects.

“As we have seen in the last few months, demand for P.E.I.’s world class seafood products has never been higher,” said Fisheries and Communities Minister Jamie Fox.

“To ensure that we remain competitive and world leaders in delivering quality oysters, mussels, lobsters and other amazing seafood, helping our growers, fishers and processors access industry-led innovations just makes sense. I encourage any Island company in the industry to put forward an application to our RIG program.”

Those eligible for funding include Indigenous groups, associations or communities, as well as commercial enterprises and industry or professional associations. Eligible activities must be new, innovative and implemented or adopted in P.E.I.

Code of Practice for Care, Handling of Farmed Salmonids Unveiled

The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) recently announced the release of the first-ever Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Salmonoids.

“We are pleased to have a Code of Practice that will further support the sustainability of the Canadian aquaculture sector,” said Dr. Barry Milligan, a veterinarian who has held senior roles in both salmonid production and fish health, and who also serves as the Chair of the Code Development Committee.

“Our industry’s participation in the Code development process demonstrates our producers’ commitment to animal health and welfare and dedication to responsible fish husbandry.”

“Committee members thank everyone who contributed their feedback, which led to several improvements in the final Code,” the CAIA wrote in a press release.

“While not all concerns were able to be addressed, the Code Development Committee worked hard to balance producer achievability, available research, and stakeholder viewpoints in the Code’s development.”

“I commend the aquaculture sector for initiating the development of this Code. A significant milestone has been achieved in releasing Canada’s first Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Salmonids,” said Leigh Gaffney, who represents World Animal Protection Canada on the Code Committee.

“This Code reflects the hard but very important conversations we had on how to bring meaningful improvements to the welfare of farmed salmonids in Canada.”

This code is part of Canada’s Codes of Practice, which are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of farm animals.

“We are very proud to be releasing the first Code of Practice for farmed salmonids in Canada,” noted Arlen Taylor, Code Development Committee member and owner of a second-generation family business that operates five rainbow trout hatcheries in Ontario.

“This Code is a valuable resource for large and small farms alike. It will allow us all to improve our practices while continuing to innovate for the future betterment of animal care.”

The Code is now available at www.nfacc.ca/codesof-practice/farmed-salmonids.

CCG Announces Addition to Icebreaking Fleet

The Canadian Coast Guard recently announced the purchase of a commercial light icebreaker from New Brunswick-based Atlantic Towing Limited.

This vessel will ensure that the Coast Guard retains its icebreaking capacity to keep vital shipping lanes open when the existing fleet enters planned maintenance periods.

The vessel is expected to arrive before the end of the year at its temporary home in Canada at Coast Guard’s Prescott base in Ontario. Upon its arrival, CCG will undertake inspection and design work to prepare for the conversion of the vessel in order for it to join the Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet.

Public Services and Procurement Canada will issue a public tender for the refit work in early 2022.

Upon joining the Coast Guard fleet, this vessel will perform icebreaking duties as well as tend to the Coast Guard’s navigational buoys in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and Atlantic regions. In addition, the vessel will be available for search and rescue duties when needed.

The vessel, currently designated MANGYSTAU 2, was purchased from Atlantic Towing Limited at a cost of $45,203,547.38, including taxes. The vessel is currently home ported in Turkmenistan. This light icebreaker is the fourth interim icebreaker purchased by the Canadian Coast Guard, following the prior purchase of three medium interim icebreakers the CCGS Jean Goodwill, CCGS Vincent Massey and CCGS Captain Molly Kool. These vessels were acquired to supplement the existing fleet during vessel life extension and repair periods.

Barcelona Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global a Go

Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, recently announced that the 28th edition of the event, to take place for the first time in Barcelona, is to date larger than any previous editions of the world’s largest seafood trade fair.

Five months ahead of the 2022 edition, the organization has already sold 41,985 square metres of exhibit space, an increase of 3.3 per cent over 2019, the largest edition since its inception.

The Barcelona edition, which will be held April 26-28, 2022, is on track to become the largest Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global ever and will rekindle the industry’s global face-to-face events. The Expo will take place in halls 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Galleria between halls 4 and 5 at Fira de Barcelona.

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is the world’s largest and most diverse seafood trade event bringing together more than 29,000 industrial professionals from around the globe and more than 2,000 exhibiting companies from 89 countries.

COVID-19 Concerns Cancel 2022 Maine Fishermen’s Forum

The 2022 Maine Fishermen’s Forum has officially been canceled.

The Board of Directors announced its decision on November 23.

“We have concerns about ensuring health and safety in a venue that hosts thousands of attendees including families, fishermen, scientists, fishery regulators, trade show vendors and hotel staff, especially given that COVID infections are currently on the rise in Maine,” said Forum Board President Steve Train. “The decision to cancel did not come easy, but ultimately, we decided to err on the side of caution. We look forward to 2023 when we can once again fulfill our mission of providing opportunities to educate the public and the fishing industry about fisheries issues and to provide a neutral platform for constructive dialogue.”

The event was initially scheduled to take place from March 3–5, 2022. Now, the next in-person event is planned for March 2–4, 2023.

“We will continue to fund raise for our annual scholarship and award as many scholarships as funds allow,” added Forum Vice President Jenni Steele.

“Over the next couple of months, our Board of Directors will investigate the possibility of providing a number of educational sessions that will allow for remote participation.”

P.E.I. to Develop Seafood Environmental Impact Reduction Plan

The Prince Edward Island provincial government is set to create a new strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of its seafood sectors.

The P.E.I. government said it will work with researchers, industry, other provincial departments and Fisheries and Oceans to develop “an evidence-based strategy that will support P.E.I.’s net-zero energy goals.

“We know that Island fishers have long been protectors of the environment and they agree that there are many opportunities to make further positive environmental impacts in the aquaculture, commercial fishing and seafood processing industries across the province,” P.E.I. Fisheries and Communities Minister Jamie Fox said.

“Building on our fishers’ environmental stewardship efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, this new strategy to preserve our natural environments is an obvious next step in the right direction towards net-zero.”

The plan is set to include three phases:

• Research and identify global best practices and industry innovations.
• Collect feedback from engagement with targeted stakeholders in the seafood sector, Islanders and other levels of government.
• Draft and develop the strategy.

The P.E.I. government said the first phase is already on the way and engagement sessions are expected to be completed by spring 2022 with the final plan expected to be available by early fall 2022.