Landmark Reconciliation Agreement Reached in the Arctic Surf Clam Fishery
Fourteen First Nations Announce Landmark Agreement with Clearwater on Arctic Surf Clam
A total of 14 First Nations communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated announced they have reached a landmark agreement to the benefit of all parties.
The agreement forges a 50-year partnership that protects existing jobs in the Arctic surf clam fishery while creating meaningful economic, employment and capacity building for the fourteen First Nations ...
DFO Reverses Surf Clam Award After Refusing to Re-open Flawed Process
The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has withdrawn an allocation of 25 per cent of the Arctic surf clam quota from the small New Brunswick First Nation that won the award.
It has also pledged to work with existing sole license holder, Clearwater Seafoods, to ensure that the unallocated quota can be used to support income and livelihoods of plant and vessel workers this year. This is welcome news to Newfoundland and Labrador.
In an unheralded announcement, DFO said “the ...
DFO Revokes Surf Clam Decision, Will Be Reissuing New Expression of Interest
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced it has cancelled the Arctic surf clam licence it had awarded to the Five Nations Clam Company in February of this year.
DFO said in a press release that the reasons for the licence cancellation have been shared with the proponent and a new Arctic Surf Clam licence will not be issued in 2018.
“In order to move forward on implementing enhanced access and promoting reconciliation, we will be launching a new Expression of Interest ...
Those Criticizing Arctic Clam Award are Ignoring History of the Fishery
I feel compelled to write to you to provide some clarification on a number of items related to the Arctic surf clam fishery that I feel are not being presented in recent news articles.
These show, in my opinion, that the Minister of Fisheries, Dominic LeBlanc, made an informed and correct decision and that some of the claims being made about the negative impacts of this decision are being overstated in an effort to undermine the minister’s decision.
What is not being reported is the ...
Surf Clam Decision a Massive Failure on the Part of Fisheries Minister
The recent decision to award 25 per cent of the Arctic surf clam quota in Canada to a bidder consisting of a small company in Nova Scotia and five unknown indigenous band partners in Atlantic Canada appears to be a massive failure.
The decision by Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc has pitted region against region, has pitted various first nation’s groups against each other, has crippled a multi-million-dollar investment in the fishery by Clearwater and quite possibly will significantly ...
DFO Awards New Arctic Surf Clam License
On Feb. 21. Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that a new license for Arctic surf clam will be issued to the Five Nations Clam Company.
This decision will significantly enhance Indigenous participation in the offshore fishery in Atlantic Canada.
The Five Nations Clam Company is a new entity that will be comprised of First Nations from Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. This entity will partner with Premium Seafoods to ...
On the Waterfront – January 2018
Clearwater Unveils Newest Addition to Clam Fleet
On December 1, Clearwater Seafoods welcomed the Anne Risley into its fleet of clam vessels during an official ceremony at Pier 21 in Halifax.
The company said the new vessel further strengthens Clearwater’s commitment to delivering the highest quality, frozen-at-sea, wild-caught Arctic surf clams to its customers around the world.
“The Anne Risley represents a $70-million investment to replace an existing 31-year-old clam vessel with a ...
On the Waterfront – December 2017
Canada’s Largest Commercial Marine Event a Near Sell-Out
With exhibit booth space nearly sold out, excitement is mounting for the next edition of Fish Canada Workboat Canada, returning to the Moncton Coliseum Complex on January 26-27, 2018.
This biennial event is Canada’s largest commercial marine trade show. It welcomes those who make their living on, in, and around the water, along with those who provide the related products and services to keep Atlantic Canada’s marine-based ...
On the Waterfront – October 2017
Marine Institute Receives Funding for Eelgrass Restoration
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard recently announced that the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $4.7 million over five years for a project to help restore eelgrass ecosystems in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
The Marine Institute is the first group in Newfoundland and Labrador to receive project funding through the fund.
The ...
New Licence to be Issued for Arctic Surf Clams in 2018
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced it is introducing a fourth licence for Arctic surf clams representing 25 per cent of the existing total allowable catch (TAC) for 2018.
The new entrant to the Arctic surf clam fishery will be identified via an expression of interest. Interested parties wishing to participate in this fishery must send a written proposal, to be received by DFO by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) November 2, 2017. This licence will be issued to a new ...
