The Association for Seafood Producers (ASP) is applauding the federal government for the assistance they’re providing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $62.5 million for fish processors to support safety procedures, purchasing of PPE, and expanding freezers or storage space to adapt to issues arising from COVID-19.
The Government of Canada is giving fish and seafood processors more resources to adapt to the many challenges brought on by #COVID19 and, above all, keep workers safe. Details on today’s announcement: https://t.co/wDIoQymM5t pic.twitter.com/0Cj557EOzB
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) April 25, 2020
This is an unprecedented time that calls for extreme measures, says ASP Executive Director, Derek Butler.
Butler says the government is doing the right thing by providing financial assistance to the sector as it puts in place additional safety measures and adapts to the challenging circumstances of COVID-19.
Processors have been collaborating across the industry to share best practices and to put protocols and additional safety requirements in place to keep people safe while ensuring a continued supply of reliable seafood. 
He adds that the safety of people working in the sector is of utmost importance and will continue to be their main focus.
However, Butler did share some concerns surrounding the FFAW.
He claims that as processors, harvesters, employees, suppliers and communities prepare for the fishery, the FFAW continues to advocate that the fishery should not open. According to Butler, the FFAW continues to push the federal government for continued EI expansion rather a fishery opening like the rest of Atlantic Canada.
ASP is asking that DFO move forward with announcing an opening date for the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Meanwhile, the FFAW has fired back, saying the idea they want to shut down the fishery is a false claim.
The FFAW says plant workers are raising the alarm on protocols that put their health and safety at risk as companies push to prematurely begin operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
President, Keith Sullivan says they’ve made considerable strides in developing safe work practices for harvesters that have been vetted by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald. He says harvesters are working towards a fishery, but both harvesters and plant workers need to feel safe going to work before a fishery can open.
The FFAW has called on processing companies to use all new funding announced by the federal government on Saturday, to invest in adequate health and safety equipment for workers, including proper masks.
Further, Sullivan says the FFAW has written Minister of WorkplaceNL, Tom Osborne, for a response and has requested the Department outline how proper Occupational Health and Safety inspections will take place in fish processing plants during the pandemic.
