FFAW-Unifor Raises Alarm Over Environmental Risks from Grounded Ship on Newfoundland’s West Coast

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), representing over 14,000 workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, is urgently calling attention to the grounding of the MSC Baltic III cargo ship near Lark Harbour on the province’s west coast. The vessel, which ran aground on February 15, 2025, poses a significant and ongoing threat to the marine environment and the livelihoods of inshore fish harvesters who depend on these waters.

FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street expressed deep concern over the potential for environmental disaster, stating, “This ship is sitting on the rocks of Cedar Cove with hazardous materials and fuel onboard. We’ve seen reports of structural damage, leaks, and an oily mixture in the engine room. The longer this drags on, the greater the risk of a spill that could devastate our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. Our members—fish harvesters who rely on these waters—are watching this unfold with growing alarm.”

The Union is particularly troubled by the presence of eight containers of polymer beads, a material used in plastic production, identified as a priority for removal. Should these beads enter the marine environment, they could wreak havoc on fish stocks and wildlife, creating a cleanup nightmare that could persist for years. “These are the same waters where our members fish for lobster, crab, halibut and other species,” Street noted. “Any pollution here doesn’t just harm the environment—it threatens the economic survival of entire communities.”

FFAW-Unifor is calling on the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment Canada, and provincial authorities to expedite salvage efforts and ensure robust measures are in place to prevent an ecological catastrophe. The Union is also demanding transparency and accountability from the vessel’s operator, MSC, and the salvage contractor, T&T Salvage, regarding the timeline and plan to mitigate risks. “Weather delays are no excuse for inaction,” Street added. “Our members deserve to know that their fishing grounds are being protected, not left vulnerable to corporate negligence.”

The grounding of the MSC Baltic III comes at a time when Newfoundland and Labrador’s inshore fishery is already under pressure from industrial activities and regulatory challenges. FFAW-Unifor reiterates its longstanding call for stronger environmental oversight of marine traffic and industrial operations near critical fishing zones. “This incident is a wake-up call,” Street concluded. “We cannot keep putting our fisheries and coastal communities at risk. It’s time for real action to safeguard our waters and the people who depend on them.”