A group formed to advocate for the rights of those involved in the annual food fishery has been unable to secure a meeting with federal minister Joanne Thompson.
Barry Fordham of the NL Food Fishers Committee says the minister has indicated that she’s open to meeting with groups and individuals about the future of the food fishery, but he claims she is continuing to “ignore” his committee’s attempts discuss changes to the seasonal fishery.
He says they want the fishery to be open daily from the Canada Day weekend to Thanksgiving and an increase to the personal daily limit from five to ten cod.
As it stands, the fishery is only open weekends through the summer months and a few weeks in the fall, meaning that some people may take unnecessary chances to catch a few cod for the table.
He claims people “feel the pressure to go out to get the fish because it’s a very important food staple to us, so we end up taking risks that we normally wouldn’t take….if we had more time, we can pick and choose our times…weather plays a very important part” in what they’re hoping to achieve.
The group also wants two months’ advance notice of season decisions, and a three-to-five year management plan to allow residents, rotational workers, ex-pats and tourists to plan accordingly.
Minister Joanne Thompson.(VOCM News)
Minister Thompson Responds to Concerns
Minister Joanne Thompson, meanwhile, says she appreciates how important the food fishery is to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The department launched a survey on the recreational fishery which received what DFO calls “record-breaking participation” with more than 9,500 responses, nearly all of which (95 per cent) came from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Minister Thompson says a report on the results will be released, followed by meetings with various groups to hear directly about issues raised in the survey results.
However, Thompson cautions that any decisions made “must be guided by the best available science…to ensure that the fishery remains strong for future generations.”
