The incoming President of the FFAW is taking exception with provincial fisheries minister Gerry Byrne’s contention that NAFO has taken control of management of the northern cod fishery.

Dwan Street told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that nothing could be further from the truth.

Byrne was basing his comments on a boastful EU release that highlighted EU achievements at recent NAFO meetings in Halifax.

She says the province has representation at NAFO meetings and is offering assurances to her membership.

“NAFO has absolutely zero authority and autonomy when it comes to management of northern cod.” In fact, says Street, the Canadian delegation, of which she was a part: “we were the ones who developed the flanking management measures for that 5 per cent that NAFO gets under the agreement.”

She says the management measures that have been put in place, were done so in negotiations with NAFO, but were put on the table by the Canadian delegation. That includes a seasonal closure during spawning from April 15th to June 30th, a season opening date of July 1st, gear restrictions and when the Canadian TAC is taken, “NAFO can no longer fish.”