The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is highlighting progress on fisheries issues raised by the FFAW and harvesters in the past week.
Minister Loveless wrote to the FFAW on March 14, 2024, to request clarification of the position of the union regarding outside buyers. In a letter of March 15, 2024, the FFAW replied to indicate their support for allowing outside buyers on all species, requesting that processing capacity be raised by lifting the caps on processing licences and issuing new processing licences, and a comprehensive review of structural issues associated with the fishery.
The Minister responded to the FFAW today, and the response letter can be found here.
In response to these requests, the Provincial Government has taken the following positions with the FFAW and harvesters:
Outside buyers: The Provincial Government initiated an application process for outside buyers today, starting with the soon-to-be-opened snow crab fishery.
Processing capacity: The Provincial Government will increase processing capacity in the snow crab industry prior to the start of the 2024 snow crab fishing season. The extent of the increase and mechanism to achieve the increase will be informed by the final Total Allowable Catch (TAC), once announced by the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
Review of the Fishery: Minister Loveless committed to a review that will touch on all elements of the fishery and will include the FFAW in the planning of the review.
The Provincial Government continues to work hard with all those who support the sustainable management of our fishing sector. There are 17,000 seafood workers and 400 communities that rely on the fishery for their livelihood.
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“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made significant commitments in response to requests from fish harvesters and their Union. Some of these requests have been longstanding, and our Government has moved on each of them. We will continue to engage with the FFAW, ASP and all stakeholders as we move forward with a comprehensive review of the fishery.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
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Learn more
Minister’s Letter to FFAW
Expression of Interest for Outside Buyers in the Crab Industry