How do you separate skippers from crew, plant workers, fish farmers and offshore trawlermen? SEA-NL

SEA-NL gives independent licensed owner-operator inshore fish harvesters a distinct voice in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery. We also keep the FFAW-Unifor in line, an opposition to the union’s labour monopoly over all sectors of the province’s fishing industry.

From price to policy, SEA-NL has the back of inshore enterprise owners.

Ironically, it was the FFAW that first pointed out the need for a distinct voice for enterprise owners.

In March 1992 — four months before the northern cod moratorium was handed down — then federal Fisheries Minister, the late John Crosbie, struck a task force (chaired by Richard Cashin) on incomes and adjustments in the Atlantic fishery.

The report was released in November 1993 and included a study on resource access and allocation, an industry perspective.

The FFAW's inshore council had this to say (page 24):

"Government should be dealing with owner-operators — not the crewmen who fish with them. DFO gives no more status to the owner-operator than it does to the part-time fisherman. At present, owner-operators are not recognized as a distinct group and are not consulted on policy matters, or about what should happen in the fishery generally."

And that's exactly the role that SEA-NL will play — a distinct voice for owner-operators.

That distinctive voice will help land you the best price for your fish, and hold governments to account for management, safety, and science. SEA-NL will also work tirelessly to ensure the inshore fishery is the mainstay of a strong rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

SEA-NL's Founding Convention is this coming Tuesday, Feb. 8th. The event will be virtual, and open to all all licensed, independent owner-operator inshore fish harvesters in the province who are members of SEA-Nl in good standing.

Go here to sign up, or if you need a hand call Rose Genge at 745 8157 or 693 8157.

For more information on the positions up for election go here: Leaders wanted for inshore fishery (must not be bought and paid for/out for yourself)

See you at convention!

Ryan Cleary,

SEA-NL

SEA-NL founding convention will be held virtually on Feb. 8th, 2021, and will be open to all owner-operator members in good standing. To join SEA-NL go here.