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Fish Harvesters Celebrate Market Freedom, Increased Competition 

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Fish harvesters around Newfoundland and Labrador are celebrating the power of collective action today with important policy changes that will improve market access in the contentious
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MEDIA RELEASE: Harvester & Processor Reps Walk Out of Capelin Advisory, Extremist ENGOs Appointed Participants

The 2+3 Capelin advisory kicked off this morning in Gander, with virtual and in person participation. Late this morning, participants were informed that ENGOs Oceans North and Oceana were changed
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FFAW Responds to ASP Media Statement, Lack of Capacity Still Core of Protests 

FFAW adamantly disputes ASP’s claim that lifting provincial processing caps will harm existing processing plant workers. To be clear, the vast majority of fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador experience
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FFAW/Unifor

FFAW/Unifor

14,000 working Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - a history steeped in the fishing industry.

1 day ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔴🦀 UPDATE ASP WINS DELAY AT PANEL - HEARING PUSHED TO FRIDAY Submissions for 2024 snow crab price negotiations are now due this Thursday afternoon, with arguments taking place Friday morning. FFAW is disappointed with the Panel’s decision and did not support a delay in proceedings. ... See MoreSee Less
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2 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🐟🔵Northern Cod Continues to Rebuild, Timing of DFO Survey Called into Question The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science Department held the technical briefing for the 2J3KL Northern Cod stock today, highlighting stability of the stock overall. However, fish harvesters question the accuracy of DFO’s survey this year given that extremely high catch rates do not line up with DFO’s assessment. “DFO completed their survey a month earlier than usual in 2J and 3K, and we believe this impacted the accuracy of the information collected. Harvesters report extremely high catch rates, very low net soak times, and big, healthy fish. Fishing mortality remains very low, and this is all good news for the stock and our fishery,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty. Because the survey was earlier in both 2J and 3K, when fish are still in the inshore areas, we believe this assessment underestimates the health of the stock. Given that fish migrate from inshore areas from October through to December, an earlier survey means that more fish were likely missed. This would drive down the estimate of the stock status and would increase estimates of natural mortality. “We look forward to seeing the results of next year’s assessment and confirming that the resource is in an even better position than DFO asserts,” concludes Pretty. ... See MoreSee Less
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2 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔵INJURED HARVESTER ON ROAD TO RECOVERY Harvester Richard Martin sustained a serious injury during the protest in St. John’s last week, but the response following was tremendous with fellow harvesters coming together and donating over $7000 to support Richard’s recovery, rounded up to a total of $8000 by the FFAW. Presenting the cheque is FFAW Executive Board Member and Richard’s next door neighbour, Glen Newbury, as well as FFAW Staff Johan Joensen. Richard is feeling much better following the surgery, and is now on the road to recovery - hoping to get home to Shoe Cove later this week. Richard wanted to make sure that his sincerest gratitude be extended publicly to all those who donated or have reached out since the incident last Wednesday - and noted the support from so many strangers was very meaningful. ... See MoreSee Less
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6 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
📣Fish Harvesters Celebrate Market Freedom, Increased Competition March 22, 2024 ST. JOHN’S, NL - Fish harvesters around Newfoundland and Labrador are celebrating the power of collective action today with important policy changes that will improve market access in the contentious industry. Fish harvesters have been protesting at government landmarks province-wide this week, with the largest crowd gathering outside of the Confederation Building in St. John’s demanding ‘free enterprise.’ Specifically, harvesters have been successful in getting the government’s commitment to allow applications from outside buyers in all species, to undertake an independent review of the provincial licensing policy in the province, as well as to implement a Committee that will monitor capacity levels during the crab season. “Today is a victory for the people of our province. What has been accomplished by the power of collective action is no small feat. This is a great first step in restoring balance, as harvesters take back control and increase competition in the market,” says Greg Pretty, FFAW-Unifor President. “Plant workers need successful fish harvesters if there’s going to be a future in this industry,” Pretty says. “I am ecstatic with the agreement we achieved here today and want to thank everyone involved,” says fish harvester John Efford. “Significant effort went into considering all aspects of the changes we were asking for and the potential consequences on plant workers. Again and again, it was clear that this is going to be better. What we achieved here today will mean a monumental positive change for the future of our fishery.” “Change is never easy, and it’s easy to criticize people from afar. I want to thank Minister Elvis Loveless, Premier Andrew Furey, and all the elected officials who stepped up this week to make change happen. This has been a very long time coming, and at the end of it all we’ve built a stronger relationship with the provincial government to achieve the goals of our members,” says Secretary-Treasurer Jason Spingle. The provincial government has agreed to provide the agreement in writing, detailing all of the agreed upon policy changes. “Today is a victory for Newfoundland and Labrador, and tonight we will celebrate the success of collective action and standing up for what is right. Next week, we get right back to business and wrap up negotiations for snow crab,” concludes Pretty. ... See MoreSee Less
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