The Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is looking to change the structure of the organization.

SEA-NL has voted in favour of turning the organization into a for-profit fishery co-operative. It had previously been operating as a non-profit professional association.

A number of fishing co-operatives operate in the province—in Labrador, Petty Harbour and on Fogo Island. The Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company represents 130 inshore enterprise owners and owns five processing plants, two mid-shore banker boats, and an offshore factory-freezer trawler.

Executive Director Ryan Cleary says while Labrador’s industry is thriving under the co-op structure, Newfoundland’s is struggling under its current structure, so they are launching a steering committee to see what a co-op should look like on the island.

He says the model for the inshore fishery on the island is not working for the inshore fishery in terms of price or freedom for operators, so they are looking to create a model that works for the fleet and rural Newfoundland.