Liberal Party of Canada photo
New PM Releases Single Mandate Letter
Newly minted Prime Minister Mark Carney has bucked the practice of his predecessors and issued a single mandate letter to his cabinet.
Previous PMs had always issued specific mandate letters to each cabinet minister overseeing a federal department.
In his all-encompassing mandate letter, Carney highlighted seven priorities. Not surprisingly, there was no specific mention of the commercial fishery or the Department of Fisheries (DFO), once again under the tutelage of Newfoundland Labrador’s Joanne Thompson.
The new federal government is focusing on the following:
- Establishing a new economic and security relationship with the United States and strengthening our collaboration with reliable trading partners and allies around the world.
- Building one Canadian economy by removing barriers to interprovincial trade and identifying and expediting nation-building projects that will connect and transform our country.
- Bringing down costs for Canadians and helping them to get ahead.
- Making housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades.
- Protecting Canadian sovereignty and keeping Canadians safe by strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces, securing our borders, and reinforcing law enforcement.
- Attracting the best talent in the world to help build our economy, while returning our overall immigration rates to sustainable levels.
- Spending less on government operations so that Canadians can invest more in the people and businesses that will build the strongest economy in the G7.
Honouring the “Lucky 7” Crew of the Elite Navigator
In recognition of the remarkable journey and story of survival of the Elite Navigator crew, the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government announced that a bronze plaque will be installed in New-Wes-Valley to forever mark their safe return.
On July 18, 2024, the fishing vessel Elite Navigator, with a crew of seven, was reported overdue about 250 kilometres northeast of Fogo Island after a fire in the engine room. The crew abandoned the boat in a life raft and were rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard after spending more than two days in the dingy while a large-scale search went on in the dense rain and fog around them.
The crew, Eugene Carter, David Tiller, Toby Peddle, Harold Howell, Andy Hunt, Jordan Lee King and Robbie Firmage, were safely returned to their home port of New-Wes-Valley. The crew members, quickly dubbed the Lucky 7 upon their return to shore, are superb representatives of the thousands of men and women from Newfoundland and Labrador who make their living from the sea.
Designed by artist Keisha Mercer, the plaque will be bronzed by sculptor Morgan MacDonald and permanently displayed in New-Wes-Valley upon completion.
Union Outlines Issues with Electronic Logbooks
The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) is demanding immediate action from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to address the ongoing issues with its mandatory electronic logbook (e-log) policy and the recent invasive seizure of a harvester’s cellphone, which continues to cause increasingly significant distress and disruption for Newfoundland and Labrador’s fish harvesters.
FFAW-Unifor is calling for a return to a voluntary implementation, allowing the continued use of paper logs and an end to overreaching enforcement practices.
“DFO’s electronic logbook policy is a poorly executed overreach that ignores the realities of our industry. Harvesters have been vocal about these issues from the start, and our prior communications to DFO made it clear that a forced transition would lead to chaos. The department’s failure to listen has left fish harvesters struggling with unreliable systems and no support,” said FFAW-Unifor President Street.
Compounding these issues, a recent incident involving FFAW Inshore Council Vice President Jason Sullivan has heightened concerns about DFO’s invasive compliance tactics. Sullivan says DFO violated his privacy when fisheries officers seized his cellphone as part of an investigation into an alleged fishing violation.
“DFO violated my privacy when my cellphone was seized. My cellphone isn’t a tool I use for fishing, and DFO wouldn’t clarify why they took it or when it might be returned. I even offered to provide my e-log account, but they proceeded with this gross overstep,” Sullivan said.
Moreover, the mandatory e-log system continues to plague harvesters with technical failures. “It’s ridiculous that fish harvesters are left stranded, unable to reach DFO or the e-log providers for assistance,” Street added.
“This is causing massive headaches across the industry, disrupting livelihoods and adding
unnecessary stress.”
FFAW-Unifor also questions the policy’s fairness, particularly for license holders who do not actively fish. “Are these harvesters being forced to purchase an app just to report nothing?” Street asked.
“This is a clear example of a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to account for the diverse realities of our fishery.”
The Union is asking Minister Joanne Thompson to immediately reinstate a voluntary transition period, allowing harvesters to use paper logs while technical issues are resolved. Additionally, the Union is calling for an end to invasive enforcement practices, such as unwarranted cellphone seizures, and for improved support systems and meaningful consultation with fish harvesters to develop a policy that works for the industry.
“We’ve been raising these concerns for months, and DFO’s inaction, coupled with their invasive actions like a personal cell phone seizure, is unacceptable. It’s time for the department to listen to harvesters and fix this mess before it causes further harm to our fishery,” noted Street.
Turning The Tide Announces 2025 Award Recipients
The Turning the Tide Marine Industry Awards recently unveiled the 2025 recipients celebrating exemplary leadership, innovation and long-term commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador’s vital marine industries.
The awards will be formally presented at the 8th Annual Turning the Tide Marine Industry Awards Gala on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the St. John’s Convention Centre.
2025 Award Recipients
Industry Leadership and Excellence Award
Ocean Choice International (OCI)
For outstanding business leadership, sustainable practices, and continued investment in innovation and employment across rural NL.
Industry Lifetime Achievement Award
Steinar Engeset
For transformative contributions to sustainable fisheries, Indigenous partnerships, Arctic development and maritime heritage.
Innovation Leadership Award
SmartICE Sea Ice Monitoring & Information Inc.
For integrating Inuit knowledge with cutting-edge sea ice technology, driving climate resilience and community empowerment in the North.
Award of Historical Marine Significance
Heart’s Content Transatlantic Cable Landing
For changing the tides of global communication and showcasing N.L.’s historic role in marine innovation.
Next Wave Leadership Award
Fabian Manning Jr.
For entrepreneurial leadership, job creation and investment in the future of coastal Newfoundland through marine infrastructure and aquaculture.
CCG Inshore Rescue Boat Stations Open Across Atlantic Canada
The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) stations across Atlantic Canada are now open.
Inshore Rescue Boat stations are crewed by post-secondary students hired and trained by the Canadian Coast Guard. They provide additional maritime search and rescue service during the busy summer recreational boating season.
The stations are located in:
Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown
Nova Scotia
- Halifax
- Mahone Bay
- Pictou
New Brunswick
- Saint John
- Shediac
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Conception Bay (in Conception Bay South)
- Bonavista Bay (in Terra Nova National Park)
- Notre Dame Bay (in Lewisporte)
They will be open from May 17, 2025, until early September.
Ashore, Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services centres provide marine safety communications, while the response to each search and rescue case is coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre St. John’s.
Waterways remain very cold at this time of year and take much longer to warm up compared to the air. Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide is an excellent source of information in preparation for the recreational boating season.
On-water emergencies can be reported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, toll-free (within Canada) at 1-800-565-1582, or via marine VHF radio — channel 16.
N.L. Eyeing Lobster Industry Growth
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Lisa Dempster recently outlined how her government is investing to support a growing lobster fishery.
“The Newfoundland and Labrador lobster fishery is in a time of growth and potential never seen before. From 2015 to 2024, lobster landings increased by 263 per cent, from 5.7 million pounds to 20.7 million pounds. The landed value of lobster increased substantially from $30.7 million to $136.6 million. This government has invested over $12 million towards live holding facilities, grading, processing and packaging systems. We invested $2.3 million in a live holding and cold storage facility that is under construction at the Gander International Airport and will help access markets for live lobster in Europe and Asia,” Dempster said.
She added that the government is investing $5.75 million in new technology, processes, infrastructure and innovation throughout the fishing industry.
“We are investing in industry-led projects that will advance the lobster industry and are supporting research and development initiatives, new lobster harvesting and processing technology, traceability and eco-certification, training and other activities to drive the sector forward.”
Nova Scotia – Maine Ferry Service 2025 Season Underway
Bay Ferries Limited (BFL) recently announced that the 2025 sailing season for the Nova Scotia–Maine ferry service is up and running for another season.
The CAT ferry is scheduled to depart Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, at 9:30 am Atlantic, and Bar Harbor, Maine, at 3:00 pm Eastern.
“Our team at Bay Ferries is ready for the 2025 season and we are committed to delivering the service efficiently with a continued focus on safety and reliability,” said Mark Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at BFL.
“Since The CAT arrived in Yarmouth on April 25 after a winter maintenance and drydocking period, we have been actively preparing for the start of the season, completing high levels of safety, operational training and maintenance work.”
Darlene Grant Fiander, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), noted that The CAT is an important asset to bringing visitors to the province.
“We are delighted with the return of The CAT for another season,” said Grant Fiander. “During these uncertain times, we need every possible option available to bring visitors to our province. Tourism operators depend on predictability and stability as they work hard to attract visitors to Nova Scotia.”
To date, more than 12,898 passengers have made reservations for The CAT’s 2025 season, compared with approximately 16,545 at the same time in 2024. The drop over the previous year is primarily due to Canadians not booking travel to the United States, while American travel to Canada on The CAT continues to be comparable to last year.
BFL will release a monthly traffic report during the first week of each month during the operating season.
For further information and reservations, please visit our website at www.ferries.ca.
Mowi Unveils New Post-Smolt Facility in Norway
On May 21, 2025, Mowi cut the ribbon on its new post-smolt facility at its freshwater site in Haukå, Norway.
This development comes after several years of construction and NOK 600 million in investments.
“This is a large and strategically very important investment for Mowi. With this facility, we will be able to produce healthy and sustainable food in an even better and more efficient way,” said Ivan Vindheim, CEO of Mowi.
The expansion more than doubles the number of facility employees, increasing it from 11 to 25 workers, including two apprentices. Mowi expects the site to produce 6.4 million post-smolts each year with an average weight of 700 grams.
“This is not just a new large facility. It is a powerful symbol of growth, innovation and belief in the future. With this facility, we are taking an important step forward — for the company, for the employees and for our entire district. This major investment creates new jobs, strengthens local value creation and contributes to a vibrant district,” said Asgeir Hasund, Director of Mowi Region West.
Mowi has been investing in post-smolt production in Norway, so far pouring nearly NOK 2 billion into three facilities along the Norwegian coast. Mowi has plans to invest in four other facilities, increasing its number of post-smolts by 20 million.
Øyvind Oaland Oakland, CEO of Mowi Norway, explained how vital post-smolts are to Mowi’s operations and how, by nurturing them on land until they are larger, the company can reduce their time at sea while still producing robust fish.
Oakland added, “We have very good experiences with this so far and our calculations show that we can almost halve both mortality and the number of delousing by using post-smolt.”
Touching on the new proposed regulations in Norway’s aquaculture industry, Vindheim stated that such a proposal will “significantly reduce industry production, employment, and value creation, especially in Western Norway.”
He continued, “I both believe and hope that the politicians understand that we as a nation cannot kick our feet under Norway’s most important regional industry and ask the government to develop new and better-studied proposals for future regulations.”
