FFAW Demands Immediate End to Unauthorized Ice and Water Checks in Fall Cod Fishery

The following has been sent to ASP regarding the ice and water checks on cod that are happening on some wharves in recent weeks:

It has come to our attention over the last several days that there are ‘ice and water checks’ happening on cod at at least one offloading port since the fall fishery began. For other species, like shrimp and crab, the collective agreement outlines the procedure that is to be followed to calculate the amount of ice in the shipment and therefore the number of pounds to be deducted. There is no such procedure outlined in the cod schedule and the rationale for these checks and deductions is not being communicated to the union or members. These checks and deductions need to be stopped immediately.

Further, reports indicate that thousands of pounds of fish per shipment are having ice removed as part of the ice and water check by running harbour water over the fish, which as we know is warm this time of the year. This is contrary to the quality improvements that all sides of the industry have strived to achieve over the last number of years.