CALL FOR HARVESTERS AFFECTED BY CENOVUS DREDGING IN PLACENTIA BAY: 45 DAY OPEN CALL PERIOD

September 16, 2024

If you are a fish harvester who may be impacted by the Cenovus dredging operations occurring in Fox Habour, Ship Harbour, Placentia, and Jerseyside, you may be entitled to compensation. Affected parties must self-identify by November 1, 2024, to be included in the compensation claim.

The upcoming dredging campaign related to the ‘West White Rose’ project will commence between November 2024 and January 2025. This activity is expected to significantly impact fishing grounds and operations for those in the above noted communities. In response, FFAW-Unifor, in collaboration with the regional Fisheries Liaison Committee and under legal advisement, is undertaking coordination of this compensation plan to ensure affected harvesters’ are compensated for potential economic and environmental damages.

Members of the Fisheries Liaison Committee have been tasked to negotiate a fair agreement on behalf of all affected harvesters in the Region. Members of the Committee are:

Harvester Representatives:

• Jamie Barnett (FFAW-Unifor Inshore Council, 3Ps) 
• Loretta Ward (FFAW-Unifor Inshore Council, 3Ps) 
• Charlie O’Leary (3Ps Fish Harvester) 
• Peter Griffiths (3Ps Fish Harvester) 
• Ken King (3Ps Fish Harvester) 
• Kurtis Kerrivan (3Ps Fish Harvester) 

FFAW Staff:

• Katie Power (FFAW Industry Relations)
• Dwan Street (3Ps Member Representative/President-Elect)
• Courtney Glode (FFAW Director of Public Affairs)
• Jason Spingle (FFAW Secretary-Treasurer)

Legal Representation:

• Duncan Wallace, Barrister & Solicitor (O’Dea Earle)

Expected Damages:

• Disruption of vital fishing grounds
• Destruction of important fish habitats
• Impacts on reproductive potential of marine species
• Species mortality due to silt and dredging materials
• Long-term implications on habitat and species recovery

TOW-OUT AND BLASTING NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CLAIM

This compensation is only for Phase 1 (Dredging) of the project and does not include compensation for impacts from the tow-out operation planned for 2025. Compensation negotiations will be undertaken for the tow-out impacts at a later date.

This compensation agreement does not cover damages from blasting. Currently, Cenovus has no plans for blasting, however, should this change, additional negotiations will take place due to the significant impact and concerns regarding any blasting operations in fishing areas.

IMPORTANT: AFFECTED PARTIES MUST SELF-IDENTIFY BY NOVEMBER 1, 2024

If you believe you are eligible and wish to claim compensation, please contact Katie Power, Industry Relations Representative, at 709-576-7276, no later than Friday, November 1, 2024.