The fallout continues over the provincial fisheries minister’s decision to take the unusual step of going against the Fish Processing Licencing Board in awarding plant licences.

The board’s recommendations usually stick, but Minister Derrick Bragg went against the grain and rejected some of those recommendations by issuing a crab licence for the plant in St. Mary’s. For one, it leaves Bay Roberts Seafoods without a license, a move that feels like a “kick in the guts,” and which leaves the plant struggling to keep the lights on.

Owner Jason Russell says none of the minister’s reasons make sense and he’s calling him to go public and explain his rationale.

He was speaking on VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly.

He questions what Bragg is “getting on with” and says he has nothing to back it up.