NEW INSHORE COUNCIL ADVANCES INTERESTS OF NL’S FISHERY

This week, the FFAW’s newest Inshore Council convened in St. John’s to discuss and make decisions on key issues affecting the industry. The two-day meeting was chaired by Vice President Jason Sullivan with leadership from President Dwan Street and new Secretary-Treasurer, Jamie Baker. Key issues on the table ranged from fisheries management issues, to science, lobbying, policy, member benefits, and more.

LEADERSHIP UPDATES

Day 1 began with Dwan Street’s President’s Report followed by Jamie Baker’s Financial Update. Following this was Inshore Director Sherry Glynn’s report on the sector, detailing the challenging but overall successful price negotiations process in 2025. Glynn also updated on ongoing grievances and issues with companies remitting members’ union dues.

STAFFING

Next, an update was provided by HR Manager Glenda Leyte which announced the successful hiring of a new Lead Negotiator for the upcoming season, as well as the ongoing process to fill staff two vacancies for Member Representatives in areas 3Ps and 3L.

MEMBER HEALTH BENEFITS

Council members then heard from insurance broker Kirk Stoyles on a group health benefit proposal. Council members were interested to hear the benefits offered and, once additional clarifications are provided to leadership, details of the voluntary opt-in program will be communicated to membership.

SCIENCE

In the afternoon, Dr. Erin Carruthers provided the group with an overview of the Union’s busy science department. Dr. Carruthers’ presentation included an update of 14C lobster trials, the post-season snow crab survey, cod sentinel survey, as well as proposals that are in the works on cod and mackerel.

OIL, GAS, WIND, AND PROTECTED AREAS

Next on the agenda was FFAW Industry Relations Representative Katie Power who gave an update on energy developments and marine conservation closures. Power included a status update on the MSC Baltic clean-up effort, which has been unsatisfactory slow and significant concerns remain as we approach winter. Council then passed a unanimous

resolution to take a hard stance against all fisheries closures for unsubstantiated conservation efforts that fail to exclude other industries like oil, gas and seismic.

COD ACCESS CHALLENGE

The day finished with a heated debate around cod licence access for various fishing areas, with no clear consensus on the way forward for this complex issue. The multifaceted history of these licence changes has proven difficult to clarify with most of the people who made these decisions now retired or deceased. The addition of recent licence buyouts adds additional complexity to the issue, as does the concept that these licences are for all groundfish not just cod. Moreover, the concern around crab declines means more harvesters will be reliant on northern cod moving forward and the impacts of adding of hundreds of licences.

The conversation continued on Day 2 where a motion was passed to lobby DFO to re-allow fish harvesters in 4R access to 2J cod, as was their historical right. An issue was tabled to re-allow 3Ps back into the 3KL fishery, which will go back to the 3Ps and 3KL for discussion before a motion is presented to council.

SAFETY

Day two started with a touching Safety Share from NL-FHSA Executive Director Craig Parsons. Craig shared a safety video of harvesters Trevor Childs and Nicholas Skinner filmed before their tragic accident in 2024. The NL-FHSA has Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) remaining in their inventory and encourages all harvesters to ensure they carry this device on them at all times while on the water, along with wearing their PFD.

STAFF REPORTS

Next, Inshore Member Representatives Jeff Griffin (4R/2J/3Pn) and Julian Ryan (3K) provided reports on their areas of responsibility. The group then discussed DFO’s electronic logbook (ELOG) policy, and the abundance of issues faced during the 2025 season. The misguided policy continues to unfairly affect fish harvesters without access to technology and cellular service, and DFO Enforcement has taken advantage of the policy to abuse their power. Council then debated designation issues in the fishery.

DESIGNATIONS

Council discussed the issue with DFO’s existing designate/alternate policy which causes undue hardship on owner-operators. Council members will seek a meeting with DFO to discuss implemented flexibilities to the policy to account for the needs of fishing businesses.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LOBBYING

Following the morning break, Courtney Glode, FFAW Director of Public Affairs, provided an overview of the Union’s communications, government relations, lobbying, and campaign efforts. The group discussed the current state of Corporate Concentration and Control in the industry and the cartel-like tactics employed by companies during the 2025 fishery. With commitments from Premier-Elect Tony Wakeham, the Union will hold the new provincial government to account when it comes to creating fairness and trust in the inshore fishery. This includes follow-through on Gerry Byrne’s 9-point plan and in particular implementing a mandatory audited sales reporting function as a condition of all processing licences in the province. Federally, the Union is focused on reopening the commercial mackerel fishery in 2026.

SHRIMP

Council discussed the new changes to the shrimp fishery. A motion was passed to request DFO to allow flexibility in the 4R buddy up in the SFA 8 shrimp fishery.

NORTHERN COD MANAGEMENT

The province’s cod fisheries were then discussed from a management perspective; listening to Council concerns around summer fishery issues as well as discussing issues faced by plants limiting capacity; despite having that capacity available. The Inshore has the capacity to harvest the entire quota and processing companies need to ensure they are positioned to accept the landings.

LOBSTER

The Union’s Lobster Committee provided on update on the substantial amount of work being done for that fishery; participation in the Lobster Council of Canada continues to grow, reflecting increasing engagement from harvesters and stakeholders. The Committee met in Gander in September, with two representatives from each LFA in attendance. A consistent message from members was the need for greater infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly live holding facilities, to support the expanding fishery. The Committee noted that $475,000 remains in the fund and continues to meet biweekly to advance these priorities. All harvesters have a role to play in ensuring that the lobster levy is properly collected and remitted to the Union