FISHERIES UNION CALLS OUT WORLD ENERGY GH2 FOR REFUSING TO CONSULT AFFECTED HARVESTERS

October 6, 2023

Fish harvesters on the west coast of Newfoundland are calling for an immediate halt to the continuation of the World Energy GH2 onshore wind development project in light of the company’s refusal to engage in consultations.

FFAW-Unifor, the Union that represents over 10,000 commercial fish harvesters in the province, reached out to World Energy GH2 in an attempt to coordinate consultation meetings with harvesters in the affected communities of Stephenville, Port au Port, Codroy Valley and surrounding areas. However, World Energy refused to engage with harvesters in the affected regions instead asking to meet with the Union’s Executive Board. The company claims that their community consultations over the past 18 months were adequate, however, dozens of harvesters in the affected regions have recently reached out to the Union expressing concern over the project.

The project, which although is an onshore wind project, will have offshore impacts through dredging activities as well as the expulsion of refuse into the ocean adjacent to important fisheries.

“Fish harvesters on the west coast are rightfully affronted by World Energy’s refusal to engage directly with them as primary ocean users in the affected regions,” explains Greg Pretty, FFAW-Unifor President. “Harvesters in the affected areas deserve to understand exactly how this project will impact their livelihoods and they deserve a say in whether or not such a project will go ahead,” Pretty says.

“We have serious concerns about the impact this onshore wind project will have on our lobster fishery which is located right along the shore where World Energy plans to dredge and pump out their refuse,” says Lorenzo Hickey, a fish harvester from Little Port Harmon. “These impacts are not insignificant and the fact the company is refusing to even sit down with us shows they’re not committed to following the proper environmental assessment process,” says Hickey.

FFAW-Unifor has joined other concerned organizations such as the Environmental Transparency Committee in requesting the project require a full Federal Environmental Impact Assessment. This will help ensure affected groups are properly consulted and potential impacts are better understood.

“The process World Energy is taking here is certainly not one of community collaboration and engagement, and the FFAW on behalf of our members cannot support its continuation at this time,” Pretty concludes.

For media inquries, please contact Courtney Glode, FFAW-Unifor Director of Public Affairs, at cglode@ffaw.ca.