Fish harvesters to hold a rally over the redfish quota in Corner Brook today

Thursday, 8 February 2024 07:00

By Tonya Organ

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced a cut in the quota for shrimp harvesters and processors from 4,222 tonnes in 2023 to 1,757 tonnes this year.

Fish harvesters from the west coast and northern Peninsula will hold a rally today at the Smallwood building in Corner Brook. It gets underway 1 o’clock at Regent Square. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced a cut in the quota for shrimp harvesters and processors from 4,222 tonnes in 2023 to 1,757 tonnes this year. Jason Spingle is the secretary-treasurer with the Fish, Food, and Allied Workers union. He says there are about 40 licensed harvesters on the west coast who catch groundfish, and they have been suffering for years. These fishers have been hanging on for this decision. Spingle says fishers are looking for a fair share and they expected to get it, especially since shrimp has declined and redfish has increased. He says most of this quota has been given to the big corporate offshore dragger fleets. Spingle says it will also affect plant workers. Meanwhile, discussions are underway with the Redfish Advisory Committee to determine quota allocations for each fleet.

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