A new organization is being formed with the purpose of becoming the “independent voice” of the province’s licensed commercial inshore fish harvesters.

The Seafood Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, or SEA-NL, will represent the interests of licensed owner-operators only.

As an association, they will not need permission from the province’s labour relations board to organize and incorporate. However, they will not be in a position to negotiate fish prices, although the group claims that is an eventual goal.

Ryan Cleary, the man behind the FISH-NL group that tried to gain union status between 2016 and 2019, is one of the organizers.

He says owner-operators are a distinct group within the fishing industry and it is time they be recognized as such. Cleary continues by saying fish harvesters need to realize how much power they would have if they came together. He says they should be leading their own industry, and SEA-NL will help them do that.

Over the coming days, the Association will be busy- with incorporating as a not-for-profit organization and beginning sign-ups with owner-operators on their to-do list.