SEA-NL elects new President, first woman leader of fisheries organization in province’s history
Fortune-based inshore enterprise owner Pamela Patten has been elected President of Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SEA-NL), believed to be the first woman to lead a fisheries organization in the province’s history.
Pamela Patten runs the Bradley Venture, a 39’11 longliner, and fishes snow crab and lobster, among other species. Patten, a mother of four, has been an enterprise owner for 11 years, and a fisher person for 22. She won the election for SEA-NL President in a tight race against Bruce Layman, SEA-NL's Secretary-Treasurer.
Pam is intelligent, well spoken, and obviously brings a different perspective to the table.
Her goal is to unite enterprise owners across the province — regardless of fleet or gender.
Patten was elected President during SEA-NL’s AGM this past Saturday, Feb. 25th in Gander, and replaces Bay Bulls enterprise owner Jason Sullivan.
Sullivan stepped down in January as part of his run for leadership of the FFAW-Unifor.
Other owner-operators elected to the SEA-NL executive include:
Fox Harbour-based Scott Spurvey, Captain of the Over 40 Fleet. Scott is owner-operator of the Valerie Lynn, a 44’11 vessel that fisheries crab and sea cucumber, and his family’s connection to the fishery traces back to 1720;
Mary’s Harbour-based Allister Russel, Area Rep for fishing zone 2J off Labrador. Allister is owner-operator of the Russell’s Legacy, an 88-foot vessel that fishes snow crab, northern shrimp, redfish and herring;
Paul Snook, Area Rep for fishing zone 3Ps off Newfoundland’s south coast. Paul, a third-generation fisherman, operates the My Maria in the Over 40’ Fleet out of Fortune and fishes snow crab, lobster, scallops, groundfish, welk, and sea cucumber;
Bruce Short, Area Rep for fishing zone 3K off Newfoundland’s northeast coast. Bruce, a third-generation fisherman, fishes out of Lushes Bight-Beaumont, and operates the JP Enterprises, a 39’11 vessel that fishes lobster cod, turbot, and squid.
The new board members join current owner-operator members Bruce Layman (Secretary-Treasurer), and Preston Grandy, Captain of the Under 40' Fleet.
SEA-NL has two vacant positions on its executive, including area reps for fishing zones 3L, and 4R/3Pn.
Enterprise owners interested in serving in either position can email me at sea-nl@outlook.com
Onwards and upwards.
Ryan Cleary,
Executive Director, SEA-NL
Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SEA-NL) is a professional, non-profit organization that serves as the distinct voice for licensed, independent owner-operator inshore fish harvesters. Visit sea-nl.ca to join.