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OPEN CALL PROCESS COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR HARVESTERS AFFECTED BY CENOVUS DREDGING OPERATIONS IN PLACENTIA BAY (1950 x 450 px) (1)
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Closure Without Cause – Reopen the Atlantic Mackerel Fishery
The Atlantic Mackerel Fishery MUST be reopened in 2023. Newfoundland and Labrador communities must not bear the burden of government's incompetence. Sign the petition to send a message to Ottawa.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Northern Cod Injunction Hearing – Virtual Attendance Registration Open

October 9, 2024 / , ,
WHAT: Federal Court hearing on FFAW-Unifor’s application for an injunction to stay offshore dragger access to the Northern cod fishery pending judicial review WHEN: Friday, October 11, 2024, at 9:30am
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FFAW to Appear Before Federal Standing Committee Tasked to Review Northern Cod Decision

October 9, 2024 /
FFAW-Unifor will be appearing before the Federal Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) this evening starting at 6pm NL time. Speaking on behalf of the Union will be Dwan
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Urgent Call for Changes to Gulf of St. Lawrence Redfish Fishery Management

October 8, 2024 /
Inshore Fleet Demands Immediate Action from DFO as Protesters Rally in Corner Brook October 8, 2024, CURLING, NL – The 4R inshore fleet is calling on the Department of Fisheries
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14,000 working Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - a history steeped in the fishing industry.

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2 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔴 Urgent Call for Changes to Gulf of St. Lawrence Redfish Fishery ManagementInshore Fleet Demands Immediate Action from DFO as Protesters Rally in Corner Brook October 8, 2024, CURLING, NL - The 4R inshore fleet is calling on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to implement immediate changes to the management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Unit 1 Redfish Fishery. Dozens of harvesters rallied outside the Barry Group plant in Curling today as members look to the federal government for urgent changes to access the small, time sensitive fishery. “DFO has not established harvest control rules that allow for a sustainable fishery for the 4R fleet, despite the critical importance of this resource to local communities,” explains Jason Spingle, FFAW-Unifor Secretary-Treasurer. “Minister Lebouthillier's decision to allocate the majority of the fishery to the corporate dragger fleet has left the inshore fleet struggling to survive, and current rules mean they cannot access the small bit of quota do they have,” Spingle says. Unit 1 Redfish are commonly found at depths of 120-140 fathoms, yet DFO has set the minimum fishing depth at 164 fathoms from June 15 to October 31, effectively preventing harvesters from accessing the resource they can clearly see on sonar equipment. Six boats in the region have attempted to fish this week, spending thousands of dollars in fuel and observer coverage only to come home empty handed due to depth restrictions. Rendell Genge, FFAW-Unifor Inshore Council member, shared the disappointment felt by many harvesters. “The bit of redfish is nearly all we have at this point. The Minister’s decision to allocate the majority to offshore trawlers means our fleet is already facing financial disaster – and now DFO’s current management approach is smothering the small lifeline we have left.” “DFO must acknowledge the bycatch management protocols already in place by inshore harvesters, who have demonstrated their ability to monitor catches vigilantly in close collaboration with third-party observer coverage. We urge DFO to adjust the minimum fishing depth to align with the current location of redfish stocks, allowing harvesters to access this time-sensitive fishery,” concludes Spingle. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 days ago

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🦞LOBSTER ON THE RISE: WEST COAST UPDATEThis article was originally published in the Fall 2024 edition of the Union Forum magazine, written by Jeff Griffin, Member Representative (2J/4R/3Pn)The 2024 lobster fishery was a success in many ways. Talk to harvesters from Southwest, West, and Northern Peninsula, and most will agree, lobster is here and on the rise. The last few seasons, lobster has shown great signs of trending in the right direction. Catch rates throughout Atlantic Canada and Quebec, with record catches coming in Newfoundland, have been impressive.“We couldn’t have asked for a better season,” says Area 13B Harvester Johnny Gilbert. “Catches were up in a big way, and we hardly had a down day due to weather. Can’t ask for much more than that.”We are seeing unprecedented value in our lobster fishery. Statistics show province-wide catch rates were well over 8,500 metric tons, with landed value increasing to upwards of $124,000,000. This is a significant increase from 2023, which saw 7,273 metric tons landed. These are very encouraging numbers.“Twenty years ago, science said lobster were going to come this way. The old fellas said they would too. Look at the catch rates all over the island. Science trumps hard heads every time. The future is here,” said West Coast harvester Rick Crane. “My father was never really excited about the idea of me entering the fishery, but looking at it now? I feel good about the future for my children.” Hard to argue with the pride and value taken in that, Rick!In September, the FFAW’s lobster committee met in St. John’s during the inshore council meetings. While most are quick to note the current state of our lobster stocks is on the rise, the committee unanimously agrees that there is plenty of work to do to maximize the return on this highly valuable resource. That is exactly what we intend to do.While 2024 was a record-breaking success, it also came with tragedy. Here on the west coast of the island, in the beautiful town of Lark Harbour, we lost two great men on the season’s opening day—Trevor Childs and Nicholas Skinner, uncle and nephew. As I traveled through the Bay of Islands on the day of their memorial to pay my respects, I counted hundreds of lobster pots placed near the edges of homes from Corner Brook to Lark Harbour. A beautiful homage to two great men. While I never had the opportunity to get to know Trevor or Nicholas well, the way communities in the Bay of Islands came together and supported each other during these difficult times told me all I needed to know about both men. They were deeply loved, respected, and will be deeply missed. ... See MoreSee Less
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3L LOBSTER UPDATEThis article was originally published in the Fall 2024 edition of the Union Forum magazine, written by Miranda Butler, 3L Member Representative The 2024 3L Lobster season was successful for most harvesters. Overall, it seems that catch rates in all areas of 3L increased over the last year and are well above historical levels. Catch rates have been increasing for the last two years, which is, in turn, increasing activity levels as more harvesters are investing in their lobster fishery. This change was made evident by the strong uptake in the (now closed) Lobster Hauler AFF Program this season from 3L harvesters and more Lobster-related inquiries to the Union. The only downfall to such an increase in catch rates is that harvesters all over the island are now struggling with sales. The number of lobsters landed overall had increased, and many buyers slowed purchasing. Those that had primarily landed personal use lobsters were now holding an abundance of lobster with too many for personal use and nowhere to sell. Luckily for many harvesters, other buyers were available due to the Free Enterprise movement, and many moved lobster through those means.There have been multiple requests for information on lobster in 3L, so lobster meetings are being planned for this fall in all 3L areas. Formal committees will be formed at these meetings to ensure that the fishing areas are being managed as efficiently as possible. If there are any concerns, questions or information harvesters would like presented at these meetings, please contact Miranda Butler at mbutler@ffaw.ca. All meetings will be announced via our Social Media accounts and website this fall when dates and times are finalized. ... See MoreSee Less

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FFAW-Unifor is Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest private sector union with over 12,000 members working in many industries such as fishing and fish processing, metal fabrication, hospitality, brewing, and skilled trades. We also have the benefit of being associated with Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union with over 315,000 members. This gives us the unique ability to leverage our national influence to successfully lobby federal and provincial governments on behalf of our members about issues that are most important to them.
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Instructions for voting members for the 2024 Executive Board Election, described by FFAW-Unifor Director of Public Affairs, Courtney Glode. For more information, visit www.ffaw.ca/elections2024
Voting Instructions for the 2024 Executive Board Election
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