MEDIA RELEASE: FFAW Reminds Federal Government of its Commitment to First 115,000mt of Northern Cod
January 25, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MEDIA RELEASE: FFAW Reminds Federal Government of its Commitment to First 115,000mt of Northern Cod
January 25, 2024
ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) were pleased to meet with Honourable Minister Diane Lebouthillier, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on January 15th. A priority during this meeting was a request for the federal government to reaffirm the commitment that has been affirmed since 1979 by consecutive fisheries ministers to grant exclusive access to the first 115,000 metric tonnes of Northern cod to inshore owner-operators and Indigenous groups before any offshore allocations are provided. FFAW-Unifor members are calling on the federal government to publicly reaffirm this commitment to coastal communities.
“The 115,000mt allocation was confirmed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his first election, and as we get closer and closer to commercial status, this important allocation must be reaffirmed as we see corporate interests angling to take control,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty.
Northern cod, fished under the 2J3KL Stewardship Fishery, is a population of the Atlantic cod species that inhabits the waters between the tip of the Grand Banks, in eastern Newfoundland, all the way to Hopedale, Labrador. Recent changes to the stock assessment model have brought the historic species out of the critical zone, and harvesters are hopeful that will mean corresponding increases to harvest amounts. As it stands, last year’s quota rollover sustains only a few days’ work for harvesters and plant workers.
“The inshore owner-operator fleet has the capacity to harvest the first 115,000 metric tonnes of Northern cod with ease. In fact, these communities are desperate for the work. The current inadequacy is with the failure of companies to prioritize groundfish processing capacity,” Pretty explains.
FFAW assured Minister Lebouthillier that the inshore fleet has the capacity to harvest the 115,000mt – the challenge is on the processing side to match production capacity. Increasing the Northern cod harvest amount this season is critical for rural sustainability and an opportunity to diversify and increase incomes for seasonal workers.
“The federal government must demonstrate its commitment to coastal Newfoundland and Labrador and inshore fish harvesters by enshrining this 40-year old policy in the 2J3KL Northern cod stewardship fishery management approach. This commitment ensures that as the stock rebounds, the benefits of the Northern cod fishery will flow to inshore fish harvesters and coastal communities,” Pretty concluded.
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