A fish plant owner in Central Newfoundland is disgusted with the provincial government’s decision to open the cod markets to buyers from outside the province when it could be allowing local plants in.

Alicia Hodder owns a plant in Stoneville which is currently idle. She has applied for a licence to process cod several times but each time has been turned down. She would love to get a call from government offering her a quantity of cod.

The Association of Seafood Producers needs some downtime at their plants to make the transition to cod from capelin, and is not currently accepting cod.

Hodder employs 30 people at her plant in Stoneville but all are on Employment Insurance at the moment.

She says she has her own building and is ready to go but instead of being at the plant, she is camping. If she had a licence, she would be processing cod.

Minister Responds

Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne says the Hodders have sought a buyer’s licence, not a processing licence.

Byrne told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly this morning that they’re seeking to supply product to an outside processor.

Byrne says it’s a temporary licence within the time frame of the existing pilot program, and he’s happy to give it to them.