A rival union calls the FFAW’s mock $1-billion bid to the C-NLOPB for offshore parcels of land a publicity stunt to deflect attention from the final days of FISH-NL’s membership drive.

The larger union is calling on the provincial government and the regulator not to actually award the parcels of land to the oil companies. They say some of the best crab fishing grounds in the world would be taken away from them.

FISH-NL president Ryan Cleary likens the symbolic billion-dollar cheque to the FFAW’s give-away of free cod on the waterfront.

FFAW president Keith Sullivan dismisses that notion, saying their concerns are real.

Harvester Glen Winslow of St. John’s says there has to be a way for government and the C-NLOPB to consult with the FFAW.

Winslow says all stakeholders should be consulted before new lands are opened up for bidding.