The Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling for more signatures on a petition to change a DFO policy that dates back to the collapse of the cod fishery.

According to SEA-NL, the policy states that non-core groundfish licences in this province cannot be sold or transferred. That means when the licence owner dies, the licence goes with them.

SEA-NL says the rule was initiated in concert with the cod moratorium in an effort to reduce the number of fishermen.

However, they also say it has “unfairly targeted” fishermen and women who, despite having an historical attachment to the fishery, do not depend on it as their sole source of income.

They say other harvesters can sell their licences to fund their retirement, but non-core fishers can’t.

The deadline to sign the petition is Thursday, two days before the 30th anniversary of the cod moratorium being announced.

SEA-NL says they need another 200 signatures to reach 500, the number necessary to present the petition in the House of Commons.