Urgent Call for Changes to Gulf of St. Lawrence Redfish Fishery Management
October 8, 2024
Inshore Fleet Demands Immediate Action from DFO as Protesters Rally in Corner Brook
October 8, 2024, CURLING, NL – The 4R inshore fleet is calling on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to implement immediate changes to the management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Unit 1 Redfish Fishery. Dozens of harvesters rallied outside the Barry Group plant in Curling today as members look to the federal government for urgent changes to access the small, time sensitive fishery.
“DFO has not established harvest control rules that allow for a sustainable fishery for the 4R fleet, despite the critical importance of this resource to local communities,” explains Jason Spingle, FFAW-Unifor Secretary-Treasurer. “Minister Lebouthillier’s decision to allocate the majority of the fishery to the corporate dragger fleet has left the inshore fleet struggling to survive, and current rules mean they cannot access the small bit of quota do they have,” Spingle says.
Unit 1 Redfish are commonly found at depths of 120-140 fathoms, yet DFO has set the minimum fishing depth at 164 fathoms from June 15 to October 31, effectively preventing harvesters from accessing the resource they can clearly see on sonar equipment. Six boats in the region have attempted to fish this week, spending thousands of dollars in fuel and observer coverage only to come home empty handed due to depth restrictions.
Rendell Genge, FFAW-Unifor Inshore Council member, shared the disappointment felt by many harvesters. “The bit of redfish is nearly all we have at this point. The Minister’s decision to allocate the majority to offshore trawlers means our fleet is already facing financial disaster – and now DFO’s current management approach is smothering the small lifeline we have left.”
“DFO must acknowledge the bycatch management protocols already in place by inshore harvesters, who have demonstrated their ability to monitor catches vigilantly in close collaboration with third-party observer coverage. We urge DFO to adjust the minimum fishing depth to align with the current location of redfish stocks, allowing harvesters to access this time-sensitive fishery,” concludes Spingle.