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MEMBER INPUT REQUESTED: EFFECTS OF SEISMIC ON COMMERCIAL FISHING QUESTIONNAIRE

April 27, 2026

FFAW is asking members to complete the attached questionnaire as part of ongoing collaborative Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF) research examining the effects of seismic surveying noise on Newfoundland and Labrador commercial fisheries. This questionnaire is an opportunity for harvesters to share observations, experiences, and concerns regarding any impacts seismic activity may have had on fishing operations, catch, species behaviour, or the marine environment. Members may be familiar with the ongoing research by Dr. Corey Morris at DFO – this is part of that work.

Your knowledge and firsthand experience are critical to ensuring this research is informed by those who work on the water. We strongly encourage members to take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your participation will help strengthen the evidence base and support informed advocacy and decision-making.

Survey can be found here: Observed Effects of Seismic Surveying on Commerical Fishing

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Dr. Erin Carruthers

Dr. Erin Carruthers is the Science Director and Senior Fisheries Scientist with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), which is the labour union that represents the owner-operator fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. The FFAW is committed to research and management that supports healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Carruthers received her Ph. D. in Biology from Memorial University in 2011 followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. Before coming to Newfoundland, Erin worked as a Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Her current research program is co-constructed with fish harvesters and includes research on coastal fishing communities, collaborative longline and trap surveys, and best practices for the avoidance, handling and release of unwanted catch.