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Provincial Government Seeking Public Input on Foreign Ownership in Fish Processing Sector

January 20, 2022

News Release from Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

January 20, 2022

An online questionnaire seeking public input on the issue of foreign ownership in the province’s fish processing sector can now be completed by visiting engageNL. The survey is a key component of a comprehensive review of foreign ownership in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing sector currently being undertaken by the Provincial Government.

In addition to the online survey, direct consultations between key fishing industry stakeholders and Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture officials are ongoing and will also form another critical component of the review.

Information gathered during the review process will be used to support the development of fish processing licensing policy recommendations for future consideration by the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

The deadline to complete the online survey is Friday, February 4. A final report on the foreign ownership review is expected to be completed and made available to the public later this year.

Click here to complete the survey on Engage NL. 

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.