The FFAW is sounding the alarm following recent comments made by the federal fisheries minister.

Fisheries Union President Keith Sullivan says Minister Joyce Murray is diminishing the importance of the fishery and asking harvesters to bear the brunt of climate change.

The union says Minister Murray put forward her ideas and vision for the east coast fishery at the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation annual meeting. She outlined her goal to leave as many fish in the water as possible and to grow as much vegetation in the water as possible so that the Atlantic Ocean can better absorb carbon to combat climate change. She indicated that fish harvesters would have to accept the sacrifice as part of Canada’s commitment to fight climate change and noted that with technological advancements harvesters could change career paths and work remotely from their homes.

Sullivan calls that “shocking” and that it emphasizes what he calls the minister’s ignorance or flippancy towards what the fishery means.

FFAW President Keith Sullivan suggests that the minister book some time in coastal communities to gain a better understanding of its integral role.

He says they’d love for the minister to come to the province, visit communities and speak with harvesters to get a better understanding of how the fishery is conducted and what it means.