The Association of Seafood Producers is sharing safety concerns raised over changes to the maximum length for vessels used in the inshore fishery.

Last week SEA-NL raised the alarm after Transport Canada started to come down on vessel owners in the NL inshore who had to modify their vessels to comply with DFO regulations requiring boats to be less that 40 feet in length. That forced some owners to modify their multi-million dollar vessels in order to comply, but Transport Canada is now coming down on those owners who did not get approval prior to making those modifications.

The association shares the concerns being expressed, including questions surrounding why vessels in the Maritimes are allowed to be longer than those in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Director Derek Butler says the first priority must be safety and requiring NL fish harvesters to modify their vessels to comply with federal regulations raises questions about vessel safety and stability.