FFAW, fish processors come together to revitalize groundfishery

As shellfish stocks decline in Newfoundland and Labrador, members of the Fish, Food andAllied Workers unionand a number of fish processors are putting aside age-olddifferencesto help rebuild the groundfishery.

Harvestingand plant worker representatives from the FFAWand officialsfrom various fish processing companies including Beothic Fish Processors, CodroySeafood, Atlantic Ocean Productsand Allans Fisheries announced the formation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council on Friday in St. John's.

Officials said the council will work together to develop collaborative solutions to issues that arise as the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador shifts back towards groundfish as a major economic driver, more than two decades after the cod moratorium put thousands out of work.

FFAWpresident Keith Sullivan said thatworking together is a necessity for the future.

"As the fishery begins another transition period, stakeholders must work together to develop a strategic vision for the future of the groundfish industry," he said.

With shellfishstocks in decline, Sullivan said stakeholders need to plan for the future.

Transition backto groundfish impending

The new council'svision includes planning for the development of new infrastructure to handle groundfish, seeking investment to the industry, and developing strategies toattract and retain youth in coastal communities.

It's going totake several years of really good planning on the harvesting side, on the processing side, and on the marketing side to really get the value out of these initiatives- Bill Barry

Officials said a"Plate to Ocean" strategic plan will focus on maximizing the value of localgroundfish products in order to improve the industry's financial viability and long-term sustainability across the province.

Barry Group CEO Bill Barrysaid the formation of the council is necessary to ensure that therevitalization of the ground fishery stays on track.

He said an improvement in environmental conditions in the past few years has led to higherlevels of northern cod resources, turbot stocks, andredfishin parts of the province.

"It's going totake several years of really good planning on the harvesting side, on the processing side, and on the marketing side to really get the value out of these initiatives," said Barry.

If stakeholders don't act now, he said,they won't be prepared for the transition back togroundfish.

"Without hope and without a plan, five years down the road it will still be a mess."

"If we do this properlywithin the next two, three, fouryears we're going todevelopreally good dynamic fisheries that can bring a lot of wealth to Newfoundland and Labrador."

Council officials saidthey are open to other food processing companies joining the council at a later date.