ST. JOHN’S, N.L.
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) will meet in Gander for its convention and election of officers on Jan. 24.
Elections will be held for FISH-NL’s executive positions including president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, captain (under 40 fleet), and captain (over 40 fleet). Nominations will take place on the convention floor.
A number of proposed constitutional amendments will also be dealt with at the convention, including term limits for executive members.
“Too many union leaders have jobs for life, building their own little empires around them,” FISH-NL president Ryan Cleary said in a release.
“It’s my belief that FISH-NL should be structured so that not only can inshore harvesters vote the executive out if they’re not doing the job, but there will be automatic turnover after two terms.”
FISH-NL also announced nominations are now open for its inaugural inshore harvester of the year award, which will also be presented during the convention.
To be eligible, inshore harvesters must live in Newfoundland and Labrador, and represent excellence within an aspect of the province’s commercial fishery during the 2018 calendar year.
Nominations can be made on FISH-NL’s website at www.fish-nl.ca/inshoreharvesteraward. The nomination period closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4.
