Looking back over 60 years involvement with the fishery, it is always nice to focus on important milestones, especially the really positive ones.
The Navigator is certainly one of those. I remember with fond memories the call from the TriNav trio to help plan a fisheries magazine a couple of years after they formed their company.
After its launch and writing many articles over the years, it was a wonderful feeling to see it flourish and grow.
My wish is that the magazine continues to provide its readers with the type of information they desire and deserve. Paul, Rick and Trevor; you have provided a great service to the fishing industry and all things ocean and long may The Navigator’s “big jib draw.”
It was a pleasure to dust off Vol. 1, No. 1 from December 1997. Where did that 20 years go? While some things have remained the same, there have been many major developments over the years, as recorded in the pages of the magazine.
While keeping us all up to date on happenings, it is now a 20-year history. While involved in the planning of the magazine with the owners, editor Ted Warren and Jim Wellman, I was asked to contribute a few articles on a regular basis.
From my perspective, there were three items in that first edition and I reference them to reflect on the past, but also to fast forward to today to show that some things are still on the radar:
- NAFO — continuing to ignore science and conservation
- FRCC — sad story on the lack of good science and the decimated groundfish stocks
- Faroe Islands cod — the disappearance of the stock and its quick return
Today, there are still some concerns about NAFO, while most groundfish stocks have just improved marginally. Although the Faroese cod returned quickly, we have waited 25 years for the cod to come back.
In the meantime, other issues have moved to the forefront and on a positive basis. I make particular note of the Nunavut fishery, since the year I joined The Navigator, I became involved in the Nunavut fishery which at that time was a small $10-million industry. It is now valued at approximately $100 million.
Looking forward, I am encouraged that The Navigator will continue to provide updates on all current issues and expand upon the 20-year history it has written.
While a person my age may focus on The Twine Loft, I am certain I will watch the news from around the coasts on the Waterfront.
But most of all I will continue to enjoy the many issues of current-future special importance: groundfish rebuilding, aquaculture, improved groundfish quality, technology and gear types for groundfish harvesting. It might be useful to encourage more commentary (letters to the editor) from industry participants.
As my former boss, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans John Crosbie would say, “Onwards and Upwards” Navigator.
Contributor — Newfoundland
