The union met with Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc and Steve Crocker, provincial Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
Discussions centered around concerns over the impact of a shrimp quota cut beyond what was recommended by the industry and how declining crab quotas will affect not only harvesters but 5,000 plant workers across the province.
The Fish Food and Allies Workers representatives also expressed concerns for harvesters in Placentia Bay under an income improvement program and discussed allowing for increased access to south coast halibut stocks.
“Minister LeBlanc acknowledged the benefits the inshore fishery provides to coastal communities. He committed to reviewing the implications of recent quota cuts on the future of communities and to working with industry to mitigate the impact on harvesters and plant workers during the transition from shellfish to groundfish,” FFAW President Keith Sullivan stated in a press release.
“Federal leadership will be critical in order to develop a fair, sustainable fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
