Redfish harvesters call on Ottawa to reverse decision requiring observers for each trip

Fish harvesters on the west coast of Newfoundland are calling on Ottawa to overturn a decision they say could keep them from fishing for redfish, and brought their concerns to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office inCorner Brook on Monday.

Dwan Street, president-elect of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union, said harvesters face therequirement ofan at-sea observerwhich ensures compliance with fishery guidelines on every trip they take.

"It's unheard of. It's ludicrous at this point in a fishery to expect that availability of observers," Street told CBC News Monday, adding there are only around five observers available for 10 vessels.

According to a conservation harvesting plan for redfish from DFO, the observer coverage level is in place to ensure the proper monitoring of by-catch and discarding at sea. Observers were only required on 25 per cent of trips from June 15 to Oct. 31, according to the same document.

Observers must also be paid for by harvesters, with DFOsaying those who benefit from the resource should assist in paying for its management.

A crowd of around 60 peopletook calls for change to the DFO office in Corner Brook Monday, which was closed before protestors arrived.

For fishermen like Conway Caines, the issue boils down to two main factors: Not enough observers are available, and it's another added expense crews might not be able to handle.

WATCH | Protesters call DFO 'shameful' for new rule about redfish harvesting:

Redfish harvesters furious about rules requiring onboard observers

6 days ago

Duration 0:56

The DFO building in Corner Brook was closed Monday, as dozens of harvesters protested outside. One said it was shameful that the agency couldnt stand behind its decisions, specifically requiring an onboard monitor when harvesting redfish something critics said is expensive and would slow down the catch if there arent any observers available.

"Right now, this fish got to come out of the water to help all of our communities," he said. "[To] not to have enough monitors, this is on DFO."

Fisherman Brad Gengevoiced his frustration with DFO at the protest, saying the fact that the building was closed shows a hesitancy to stand behind the decisions the department makes.

"Everytime we have a protest, they shuts down [the] DFO building. So what's that? They're ashamed of the decisions they've made," Genge said. "They don't want to face reality. But reality is here now, and it ain't going away."

The redfish fishery had been closed since 1997, but was reopened earlier this year. The total allowable catch is 60,000 tonnes.

Street said the FFAW is calling on Ottawa to make observers required on 25 per cent of trips. She said that would be an easy change to make, but harvesters have faced roadblocks.

"Every decision has to come from Ottawa,and unfortunatelyI don't think we have anybody in Ottawa who understands the realities of this fishery," Street said."And I think that's going to be key as we move forward in any species. You know, Ottawa needs to start managing fisheries within the reality of that fishery."

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