A long-time fisheries advocate is calling for an independent task force to help rebuild the province’s fishery resource and food supply.

Gus Etchegary’s involvement in the Newfoundland fishing industry predates Confederation, he’s now with the Fishery Community Alliance.

He says a task force dedicated to the development of a comprehensive and successful rebuilding of the groundfish fishery should be immediately established, independent of government.

Etchegary indicates more needs to be done nearly three decades since the commercial cod moratorium.

His group recently met with the premier, fisheries minister as well as Moya Greene, expressing their concern about the commercial groundfish fishery which is “nearly extinct.”

Etchegary says an independent assessment of stocks needs to be carried out and consideration has to be given to seal predation, threats to the caplin stock and joint management.