FFAW RELEASES ELECTION REPORT CARD
With just one day to go before the Canadian federal election, FFAW-Unifor conducted a federal election questionnaire, seeking clear, direct commitments from all major parties on the pressing issues facing
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FFAW RAISES ALARM OVER CRAB PRICE DISCREPANCY
The first Urner Barry (UB) quote for 2025 production of Newfoundland snow crab clocked NL 5-8 oz sections $2.07 CAD below the quote for Gulf crab—a far cry from the usual price spread seen in years previous.
FFAW-Unifor Applauds Provincial Government’s Move to Strengthen Owner-Operator Fishery with New Co-Op Model for Snow Crab Harvesters
ST. JOHN’S, NL – FFAW-Unifor proudly commends the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, for today’s announcement of the Industry Balance and Opportunity Licensing Approach, a transformative
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FFAW/Unifor
14,000 working Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - a history steeped in the fishing industry.
🦀 Skipper Austin Royal and crew of the Paddy's Legacy with their first haul in 6B!
📣 DATASHEETS TO DOCUMENT GROUNDFISH IN CRAB POTS![]()
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FFAW developed data sheets so that harvesters can systematically document the presences (or lack thereof) of groundfish in crab pots. It is important to track changes in the presence of groundfish in all Crab Management Areas (CMAs), not just 3K4 where there are increased reports of groundfish in crab pots. ![]()
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Comparisons across CMAs and assessment regions are needed. We expect to see different predator abundances across and among CMAs and regions, but it is far better to be working from well-documented records than from expectations. Please help ensure that we have accurate information from your area. ![]()
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** It’s important that information is collected by as many boats as possible and for the duration of the season**![]()
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There are four documents:![]()
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1. Project Overview for Harvesters – this is an explanation of what we’re doing and why, along with instructions.![]()
2. Trip Details – this form is completed once per trip and is the basic information about you and your trip (name, contact info, etc.).![]()
3. Set Details – this form has your set details, like position, number of pots, date and time of set, etc. One row of this data sheet is recorded for each string of gear.![]()
4. Fish Predator Details – like the set details, the information on this sheet is recorded per string and includes the number of groundfish, by species, in that string.![]()
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The sheets are here (ffaw.ca/groundfish-data-sheets-2025/) and can be downloaded and printed. We will also be delivering packages of sheets throughout the areas. Please contact your Staff Rep to arrange a drop-off or mail out of printed sheets.![]()
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Completed sheets can be returned to your staff rep or faxed to (709) 576-1962.![]()
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Please send in completed sheets following each trip. ![]()
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Photos can also be sent to your Staff Rep.![]()
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** The success of this project depends on harvesters documenting what they’re seeing**![]()
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Staff Reps:![]()
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- 3L – Ian Ivany iivany@ffaw.ca (709) 770-2583![]()
- 3K – Julian Ryan jryan@ffaw.ca (709) 732-2515![]()
- 2J4R3Pn – Jeff Griffin jgriffin@ffaw.ca (709) 765-7854![]()
- 3Ps – Jamie Baker jamiebaker@ffaw.ca (709) 771-7557
Groundfish Depredation Project Data Sheets - FFAW | unifor
ffaw.ca
FFAW-Unifor Applauds Provincial Government’s Move to Strengthen Owner-Operator Fishery with New Co-Op Model for Snow Crab Harvesters
📣 PRESENCE OF GROUNDFISH IN CRAB POTS![]()
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After reports of groundfish showing up in significant numbers in crab pots in 3K4 last year, we conducted an online survey to document the presence of groundfish in crab pots and how the use of bait has changed over time in the commercial fishery (i.e., bare skivvers versus bait jars; using squid compared to cod or redfish). During the 2024 Collaborative Post-Season (CPS) pot survey, observers and at-sea technicians recorded how much bait was remaining on the skivver. The results of both initiatives were made available at the crab assessment in February and we have revised the post-season pot survey data sheets to better record the amount of bait remaining and presence of predators in the 2025 CPS survey.![]()
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Take home message from the online survey and 2024 post-season survey: ![]()
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Groundfish predators are much more common in crab pots in 2J and 3K than the other regions (3LNO, 3Ps and 4R).![]()
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This year groundfish appear to be showing up earlier and in greater numbers compared to previous years. To document where, when, and how many groundfish are in crab pots:![]()
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- We have confirmed that SeaWatch observers are recording the presence of groundfish in pots, and we have reiterated with SeaWatch how important this is. We are expecting more observer coverage in 3K this year.![]()
- One of our at-sea technicians will be onboard 3K4 vessels in May to collect detailed information on groundfish in pots.![]()
- We are starting work with a researcher at DFO to use cameras to better understand what affects crab catchability, including groundfish predators and bait depredation. ![]()
- We held a virtual 3K4 fleet meeting to determine our immediate approach and way forward.![]()
- We have developed data sheets to systematically document the presence of groundfish in pots in the commercial fishery. The data sheets were reviewed and revised at the virtual 3K4 fleet meeting. SeaWatch observers and our technicians cannot be everywhere, but harvesters can record information on the number of pots fished, average pounds per pot, and number of pots with predators. If enough harvesters record this information for all strings throughout the season, we will be able to use this information to document differences in groundfish predators within and across Crab Management Areas (e.g., 3K4 vs. 3B) and Assessment Divisions (e.g., 3K vs. 2J or 3LNO). Systematically documenting the presence (or not) of groundfish predators is something harvesters and FFAW Staff can do right now to track real changes in the fishery and resource. ![]()
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What you can do:![]()
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- Print out the data sheets and fill then out for every string and every trip. A separate post describes the datasheets and how to record data (ffaw.ca/groundfish-data-sheets-2025/). Let your Staff Rep know that you are recording data. We need to know the number of harvesters per CMA.![]()
-Call your Staff Rep when you land, go over the data sheets with them to ensure all data is recorded, and arrange to have the data sent in. Email photos of data sheets, scan or fax them in (FAX: 709-576-1962).![]()
- Tell other harvesters to do the same. Ideally, we will have a minimum of 40 harvesters participating per fleet. More is much better and reliable record keeping is crucial. ![]()
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Let's do this! Records from harvesters during the commercial fishing season will be one piece of the puzzle and one that we can start right away. Get your data sheets here: ffaw.ca/groundfish-data-sheets-2025/
Groundfish Depredation Project Data Sheets - FFAW | unifor
ffaw.ca
FFAW-Unifor Applauds Provincial Government’s Move to Strengthen Owner-Operator Fishery with New Co-Op Model for Snow Crab Harvesters
📣 Applications are now being accepted for the Port aux Choix Sentinel Site – Stn 26.![]()
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Level II Harvesters from the Port aux Choix Area may apply. ![]()
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Please call (709) 634-0277 to obtain an application.
📣 Applications are now being accepted for the Rose Blanche Sentinel Site – Stn 02. ![]()
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Level II Harvesters from the Rose Blanche Area may apply.![]()
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Please call (709) 634-0277 to obtain an application.
