Inshore Fleet Demands Immediate Action from DFO

The 4R inshore fleet is calling on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to implement immediate changes to the management of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Unit 1 Redfish Fishery.

Dozens of harvesters rallied outside the Barry Group plant in Curling today as members look to the federal government for urgent changes to access the fishery.

Unit 1 Redfish are commonly found at depths of 120-140 fathoms, yet DFO has set the minimum fishing depth at 164 fathoms from June 15 to October 31, effectively preventing harvesters from accessing the resource they can clearly see on sonar equipment.

Rendell Genge, FFAW-Unifor Inshore Council member, shared the disappointment felt by many harvesters. “The bit of redfish is nearly all we have at this point. The Minister’s decision to allocate the majority to offshore trawlers means our fleet is already facing financial disaster – and now DFO’s current management approach is smothering the small lifeline we have left.”