A throng of angry harvesters descended on provincial Fisheries offices in St. John’s this morning, continuing protests over government policies, particularly when it comes to outside buyers.
Dozens showed up at the Petten Building on Strawberry Marsh Road around 9 a.m., making their presence known before making the trek up the road to nearby Confederation Building.
The harvesters want to sell their catches to outside buyers, but the province says such an approach must balance their ability to get the best price, while also ensuring rural communities benefit from local processing.
Fisherman John Efford told his fellow harvesters from the steps of Confederation Building that their efforts forced the abrupt closure of the House of Assembly.
“They knows we’re here. They closed down the House early because they don’t want to deal with us,” said Efford, noting they now have the full support of the FFAW.
He credited the union with helping attract “bigger numbers” to send a stronger message to government on the issue.
FFAW secretary-treasurer Jason Spingle also addressed the harvesters, admitting they are in “big trouble.”
“When we feel disrespected like we are now … ASP (Association of Seafood Producers) is one thing, but our own elected officials, you can’t take it and you need our help, and I said you’re going to get it, 100 per cent,” says Spingle.
The crab fishery represented more than $1 billion in revenue to the province in 2022, not to mention the employment and economic spinoffs, especially in rural areas.
Harvesters sat in on Question Period at the House of Assembly each day of the spring sitting, until the session abruptly ended Wednesday evening.
Tony Wakeham
Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham, who had been leading the charge during Question Period on allowing outside buyers into the local fishing industry, told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that the issue is about maximizing the value from the fishery.
He says the harvesters’ concerns are well known, and they’re frustrated with an apparent lack of action.
“The premier and his minister went out this past summer and sat down with harvesters, and talked to them, and these were issues that they brought to them at the time,” says Wakeham. “I think what you’re seeing in these demonstrations this week is the frustration around that.”
