In a VOCM story today Minister Hutchings is responding to Federal Minister Gail Shea regarding the shrimp quota disaster.
As is usually the case from this PC Government the Minister talks about how good we are doing and what good confederation children we are. In part he says:
...in 2007 there were 187 licensed fish plants; today there
are 86, and at the peak in the '80s there were 250. He says the province
has stepped in with the fisheries loan guarantee program and a host of
others to give harvesters the ability to access capital or to buy out,
all of which is consolidation and rationalization.
Yes there we have it. So in short - Look at us - we have downsized, cut, rationalized and sold out - so why can't we have more shrimp?
So this province has lost 164 fish plants, 2 pulp and paper mills, several mines and recently a shoe factory - we need more power? So this province has lost 50,000 people but we need more power? Our population has aged with many of our young families moving to other provinces and countries for work and we need more power for the seniors left behind? All of our houses are modern and energy efficient as are the appliances in them - so we need more power?
Better yet Hutchings alludes to even more rationalization meaning less fish plants - and we need more power?
Muskrat = somebody needs more money and they'll have the suckers of Newfoundland and Labrador pay for it.
Hutchings has no problem speaking confidently about rationalization - he just has a problem being rational. Kindly stop the BS - and while your at it - if you are seeking re-election you might want to tone down the - we are going to shut-down things to do better thing.
Showing posts with label FFAW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FFAW. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
The Cloud over Newfoundland and Labrador
The Word Cloud
The larger the word the more frequently it was used. So let's have a look shall we?
1. The really big words: Cold - Fishing - Beautiful - Far
So it would appear Canadians recognize our fishery more than we do - particularly our politicians.
It would also seem that beautiful means the tourism ads are working with respect to that but we may have appeared to come across as too remote.
2. The Big Words are: East - Ocean - Friendly - Remote
Best I can tell Canadians know we are the East of the country despite the media referring to Quebec and Ontario as East.
Once again the word ocean draws people back to a fishing heritage.
Friendly is a given - although more obvious in rural communities.
Remote makes it seem too distant than it actually is from many provinces.
3. The next size sees the following words enter in: Fish - Rock - People - Isolated - Island
Back to the fishery we go and then that awful term "Rock" which always applied to the Island - speaking of which comes up in this round of words. Clearly the thought that Newfoundland and Labrador is together as one province escapes the image we portray.
Isolated is another term that for most people means negative. Are we isolated because part of the province is an Island or does it also include Labrador because it's North?
There is no doubt that transportation is an issue no matter where in the province you reside or operate a business. Between ferry woes, airline route fluctuations, and highways throughout that are in shameful states of disrepair - the cost of visiting or living here is too high. This is what makes us isolated. Iceland, Greenland, Australia, and many other remote locations are not considered "isolated" and as a result their tourism and industrial results are much better.
4. Now let's look at the tiny words - one's that should be bold and in your face large: Whales, Icebergs, Tourism, Nature, Economy, Seafood, Offshore, Jobs, Scenery, Funny, Canada and Provinces.
These are the attributes we want to sell to the world - yet clearly the message is not getting through. Our economy and the benefits of being "isolated" such as beautiful scenery and nature being overshadowed by words like "rock" and "newfie". Not surprisingly - the only people who truly see this province as part of Canada are our own. We are viewed as an outport of Nova Scotia or worse a field of natural resources extracted for the benefit of others.
For all the comedic talent we clearly possess - either our successful comics and actors are not considered to be Newfoundlanders and Labradorians or the joke must simply be on us.
Finally the words that do not appear at all: Resources, Energy, Have, Churchill Falls, Hydro, Industry, and Intelligent.
This should really drive the point home. We are here and part of Canada for the singular purpose of providing wealth to others. So much for the youngest, hippest, coolest province right Danny?
This is just another cloud over our heads and we need to deal with our less than acceptable terms of Confederation and rid ourselves of inept, self-centred, partisan, and vindictive politicians.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Fishery - the One Billion Dollars Solution
If you can first put aside the learned hatred of everything fish for one moment - then we might start pulling on the same oar.
Ottawa is responsible for the collapse of the fishery as they control the management of the stocks and fishing grounds.
20 years after a moratorium slated to last 10 years - we are collapsing further.
This is not the time to downsize or rationalize - we will not have an industry left. All we will witness is GDP and that will be attributable to unprocessed fish being gouged by a few corporations.
Now is the time to seek a real solution.
We have lost a billion a year since 2002 when the moratorium was supposed to be over. That did not happen.
Because of that we have lost twice that - as we have also lost transfer payments (per-capita) - due to population loss - that pays for transportation, health, and education.
We have also lost communities, investment, families, depreciated asset value, and future industrial potential.
If we demand that Ottawa - pay up - 1 billion x 10 years = 10 billion so far and counting.
Why are we rationalizing?
Why are we downsizing?
Because we have lost our fishery!
That is not acceptable.
We need our fishermen for science, research, and industrial planning.
We need our plant workers to work on new product lines.
We need these people and our provincial government to work on markets.
Is this a reasonable ask?
Of course it is - the feds bail out agriculture year over year to preserve food security, communities, families and that industry. Remember that the feds are not even responsible for drought, floods, market woes, and foreign subsidization for our competitors. They still pay - year over year.
Of course it is - the feds bailed out Ontario when the auto-makers collapsed and industry suffered in Central Canada. Billions and billions. They were not responsible for that occurrence.
They are responsible for the loss of the ground-fish stocks and are responsible for not protecting the fishing grounds. They are responsible for bartering our fish stocks away to foreigners so that other provinces would get manufacturing and industrial investment.
Instead our politicians are sucking their thumbs and doing nothing to correct this problem. We have suffered a grave injury and we are entitled to compensation.
Instead our politicians are looking for ways to boot people out of the fishery with a package.
Instead our politicians are looking to downsize and rationalize.
There is no rationalization - there must be compensation.
Then 25,000 of our people per year could be doing something beneficial - to help rebuild stocks, develop product and markets, and foster growth in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
Why is it that Newfoundland and Labrador is not demanding what is just?
Why do we keep letting the feds off the hook?
Why are we allowing not only the continued loss of stocks but downsizing science, SAR, and other critical assets to this industry?
Why indeed!
Ottawa is responsible for the collapse of the fishery as they control the management of the stocks and fishing grounds.
20 years after a moratorium slated to last 10 years - we are collapsing further.
This is not the time to downsize or rationalize - we will not have an industry left. All we will witness is GDP and that will be attributable to unprocessed fish being gouged by a few corporations.
Now is the time to seek a real solution.
We have lost a billion a year since 2002 when the moratorium was supposed to be over. That did not happen.
Because of that we have lost twice that - as we have also lost transfer payments (per-capita) - due to population loss - that pays for transportation, health, and education.
We have also lost communities, investment, families, depreciated asset value, and future industrial potential.
If we demand that Ottawa - pay up - 1 billion x 10 years = 10 billion so far and counting.
Why are we rationalizing?
Why are we downsizing?
Because we have lost our fishery!
That is not acceptable.
We need our fishermen for science, research, and industrial planning.
We need our plant workers to work on new product lines.
We need these people and our provincial government to work on markets.
Is this a reasonable ask?
Of course it is - the feds bail out agriculture year over year to preserve food security, communities, families and that industry. Remember that the feds are not even responsible for drought, floods, market woes, and foreign subsidization for our competitors. They still pay - year over year.
Of course it is - the feds bailed out Ontario when the auto-makers collapsed and industry suffered in Central Canada. Billions and billions. They were not responsible for that occurrence.
They are responsible for the loss of the ground-fish stocks and are responsible for not protecting the fishing grounds. They are responsible for bartering our fish stocks away to foreigners so that other provinces would get manufacturing and industrial investment.
Instead our politicians are sucking their thumbs and doing nothing to correct this problem. We have suffered a grave injury and we are entitled to compensation.
Instead our politicians are looking for ways to boot people out of the fishery with a package.
Instead our politicians are looking to downsize and rationalize.
There is no rationalization - there must be compensation.
Then 25,000 of our people per year could be doing something beneficial - to help rebuild stocks, develop product and markets, and foster growth in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
Why is it that Newfoundland and Labrador is not demanding what is just?
Why do we keep letting the feds off the hook?
Why are we allowing not only the continued loss of stocks but downsizing science, SAR, and other critical assets to this industry?
Why indeed!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Dunderdale and Company - Partisan? Disinterested? Incompetent?
The attitude of disinterest, boredom, annoyance and/or anger of many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians toward the fishery, fishermen, and plant workers is a mistake.
The politicians from all parties have played a very partisan and dangerous game with the people of our province as it relates to this resource and bureaucrats both provincially and federally have made it worse by juggling death versus dealing with the continued problem.
The fishery is our history and should be our future - but in order for that to be the case a number of things have to happen.
1. Our history in the fishery must be fully and publicly disclosed and discussed so that all people in our province can learn to respect, value, and protect this vital renewable resource.
2. An injury has occurred and our province - communities and people - are the injured party. We need to assess the injury, determine the party/ies that caused the injury, value the injury, and then do what is necessary to achieve compensation for the injury.
3. Based on the compensation arrangements the province must move forward to develop plans for recovery, science, enforcement, community, environmental and the future.
4. Further these plans must be broken down to include; immediate actions, medium term actions, and long term actions. One to fifty years would be appropriate.
5.The province must desist making new arrangements with "processors" that want to export raw material and must move toward harvesters co-ops and redevelop a marketing division for products either processed or unprocessed of this resource.
The "rationalization" of the fishery which government and others claim is occurring is nothing more that a desperate response to a disastrous situation which has yet to be dealt with properly. Each and every week we are hearing of the closure or downsizing of plants and facilities and communities losing their primary employer.
This is not a sustainable answer to what will bring economic disaster.
Dr. Phil Earle and Gus Etchegary are not sounding the very loud alarm bells for no reason and these retired individuals are not as passionate as they are without reasoned concern. They are as worried as you should be.
The moratorium of our stocks began in 1992 - this caused a massive upheaval in this resource sector and we lost about 80,000 people from our workforce and most from our province altogether.
We should have experienced significant recovery by 2002 and should have been on our way to sustained recovery. This according to the people responsible for managing the resource.
We all know this did not happen and now we are in 2012 - with no reasonable end in sight.
To alleviate the loss of our ground fish sector - we increased the catch of our shellfish. We all know this is not a good thing and eventually will cause further catastrophic consequences.
Despite the catch increase in other species - thousands of people were removed from this fishery and no doubt hundreds of our rural communities have suffered.
Throughout this mess - the kingpins of the fishery needed to maintain and grow profits - so fisheries policy has revolved around keeping them afloat. The latest of course is to give them stocks without the necessity to process. This has resulted in further losses to the people in general but the continued wealth building for those already so endowed.
If you can get your head around the problem it equates to a loss of a billion dollars a year plus the loss of people, loss of communities and devalued assets.
Try and consider the following. Let's say you lost your job in St. John's or Metro - no doubt you would feel the pinch and be worried about your next paycheck - just like the people displaced on the Burin Peninsula. Let's add that you had been at the same job for 20 or so years and have invested in things like a house or property. If you went to sell that asset in St. John's Metro you would enjoy an increase in the value of your asset upon sale. Now for one moment put yourself in a rural community that has just lost it's only significant employer - and then you needed to sell your house. You would suffer major losses as the equity you built would disappear - as the market was no longer there for resale.
Also consider that with the low unemployment rate in St. John's Metro - you may be able to find another job to make ends meet - while the person in the rural community would not have that option. In your case you may be able to keep your home - or sell for a profit and downsize - whereas the person in the rural community would have to sell their property, move and not even have the option to rent out their home - NO Market.
Some of the more fortunate ones in the affected community may be in a position to retire - thereby staying in their own home - that is if they are not still indebted. Let's say they can stay in their own home and actually live another 20 or so years. What services will remain where they live? What will they do with no family remaining in the community? None of these issues are a problem in St. John's Metro - YET.
You see the losses resulting from a collapsed fishery will hurt us all. The worst is yet to come - if we do not fix the problem.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
For those who are still in their productive work life - the choice will be to move away and find work elsewhere. Where will they pay tax? What will happen with their children? Will they ever come back? Will we lose a significant number of our next generation? If we do - who will pay for the seniors left behind? Who will pay for the increase in personal care home usage? Who will pay the medical bills of an aging population besieged with chronic illnesses - more prevalent in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Then factor in all the boomers who moved away 20 years ago when the fishery first collapsed. Many of these people will return home upon retirement after having paid all their taxes to another province. That places an increased burden on a taxation system that did not receive the benefit of their taxes for the past 20 years. How will these shortfalls be covered?
What about resettlement? You know that government is always looking at that when their finance gurus are explaining the problem mentioned above. Are we going to resettle 100 or more communities? How much will that cost? Where will they move to? If we pick 5 regional centres and move them all there - what will be the increased burden on those cities or towns?
If not resettlement how does government pay for the upkeep of thousands of kilometres of roads - deteriorating badly? How does government afford to keep reasonable health services in those communities?
Now let's talk about the taboo - OIL - what happens when that oil is gone? When will it be gone? What will happen to our cities and regional towns? We have lost two mills, mines, and may lose our last mill. We will have no oil sector and the fishery will be dead.
I will guarantee one thing - if the future plays out as discussed above - the leaders - our politicians of the present day will not be around. They may retire in Florida on the lucrative pension we provide them. They may move to a - then recovered Ontario. Their children will be provided for. Kathy Dunderdale may huff and puff every time her choices are questioned - but she WILL have a pension.
Our biggest problem is that our politically based system is very similar to a quick-buck corporation - concentrate on the now - the next few years - the next election. Unfortunately they see this as their job instead of being the keepers of our future.
If we build Muskrat now - there will be lots of jobs now and make them look good. Unfortunately there are no measurable numbers of long term jobs but there is certainly measurable long term debt. So while the shareholders of Emera will enjoy increased profits through guaranteed returns - we the owners, the taxpayers and ratepayers will suffer.
Our system of immediate political rewards, needs, and votes is also costing us at the Federal level. Right now - I am convinced that Stephen Harper can strip our province of every benefit of "con"federation - and Dunderdale will let it happen as long as the loan guarantee carrot exists.
We need vision and we need it now.
We need leadership and we need it now.
We need a plan and we need it now.
We need action and we need it now.
These games - childish political games - played by incompetent, disinterested, and/or partisan people with an need to satisfy the next polling period - will destroy us.
These politicians who through their own words, excuses, and frustration cause you and me to detest the fishery with them.
You think you can afford to not care about the fishery? Think again.
The politicians from all parties have played a very partisan and dangerous game with the people of our province as it relates to this resource and bureaucrats both provincially and federally have made it worse by juggling death versus dealing with the continued problem.
The fishery is our history and should be our future - but in order for that to be the case a number of things have to happen.
1. Our history in the fishery must be fully and publicly disclosed and discussed so that all people in our province can learn to respect, value, and protect this vital renewable resource.
2. An injury has occurred and our province - communities and people - are the injured party. We need to assess the injury, determine the party/ies that caused the injury, value the injury, and then do what is necessary to achieve compensation for the injury.
3. Based on the compensation arrangements the province must move forward to develop plans for recovery, science, enforcement, community, environmental and the future.
4. Further these plans must be broken down to include; immediate actions, medium term actions, and long term actions. One to fifty years would be appropriate.
5.The province must desist making new arrangements with "processors" that want to export raw material and must move toward harvesters co-ops and redevelop a marketing division for products either processed or unprocessed of this resource.
The "rationalization" of the fishery which government and others claim is occurring is nothing more that a desperate response to a disastrous situation which has yet to be dealt with properly. Each and every week we are hearing of the closure or downsizing of plants and facilities and communities losing their primary employer.
This is not a sustainable answer to what will bring economic disaster.
Dr. Phil Earle and Gus Etchegary are not sounding the very loud alarm bells for no reason and these retired individuals are not as passionate as they are without reasoned concern. They are as worried as you should be.
The moratorium of our stocks began in 1992 - this caused a massive upheaval in this resource sector and we lost about 80,000 people from our workforce and most from our province altogether.
We should have experienced significant recovery by 2002 and should have been on our way to sustained recovery. This according to the people responsible for managing the resource.
We all know this did not happen and now we are in 2012 - with no reasonable end in sight.
To alleviate the loss of our ground fish sector - we increased the catch of our shellfish. We all know this is not a good thing and eventually will cause further catastrophic consequences.
Despite the catch increase in other species - thousands of people were removed from this fishery and no doubt hundreds of our rural communities have suffered.
Throughout this mess - the kingpins of the fishery needed to maintain and grow profits - so fisheries policy has revolved around keeping them afloat. The latest of course is to give them stocks without the necessity to process. This has resulted in further losses to the people in general but the continued wealth building for those already so endowed.
If you can get your head around the problem it equates to a loss of a billion dollars a year plus the loss of people, loss of communities and devalued assets.
Try and consider the following. Let's say you lost your job in St. John's or Metro - no doubt you would feel the pinch and be worried about your next paycheck - just like the people displaced on the Burin Peninsula. Let's add that you had been at the same job for 20 or so years and have invested in things like a house or property. If you went to sell that asset in St. John's Metro you would enjoy an increase in the value of your asset upon sale. Now for one moment put yourself in a rural community that has just lost it's only significant employer - and then you needed to sell your house. You would suffer major losses as the equity you built would disappear - as the market was no longer there for resale.
Also consider that with the low unemployment rate in St. John's Metro - you may be able to find another job to make ends meet - while the person in the rural community would not have that option. In your case you may be able to keep your home - or sell for a profit and downsize - whereas the person in the rural community would have to sell their property, move and not even have the option to rent out their home - NO Market.
Some of the more fortunate ones in the affected community may be in a position to retire - thereby staying in their own home - that is if they are not still indebted. Let's say they can stay in their own home and actually live another 20 or so years. What services will remain where they live? What will they do with no family remaining in the community? None of these issues are a problem in St. John's Metro - YET.
You see the losses resulting from a collapsed fishery will hurt us all. The worst is yet to come - if we do not fix the problem.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
For those who are still in their productive work life - the choice will be to move away and find work elsewhere. Where will they pay tax? What will happen with their children? Will they ever come back? Will we lose a significant number of our next generation? If we do - who will pay for the seniors left behind? Who will pay for the increase in personal care home usage? Who will pay the medical bills of an aging population besieged with chronic illnesses - more prevalent in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Then factor in all the boomers who moved away 20 years ago when the fishery first collapsed. Many of these people will return home upon retirement after having paid all their taxes to another province. That places an increased burden on a taxation system that did not receive the benefit of their taxes for the past 20 years. How will these shortfalls be covered?
What about resettlement? You know that government is always looking at that when their finance gurus are explaining the problem mentioned above. Are we going to resettle 100 or more communities? How much will that cost? Where will they move to? If we pick 5 regional centres and move them all there - what will be the increased burden on those cities or towns?
If not resettlement how does government pay for the upkeep of thousands of kilometres of roads - deteriorating badly? How does government afford to keep reasonable health services in those communities?
Now let's talk about the taboo - OIL - what happens when that oil is gone? When will it be gone? What will happen to our cities and regional towns? We have lost two mills, mines, and may lose our last mill. We will have no oil sector and the fishery will be dead.
I will guarantee one thing - if the future plays out as discussed above - the leaders - our politicians of the present day will not be around. They may retire in Florida on the lucrative pension we provide them. They may move to a - then recovered Ontario. Their children will be provided for. Kathy Dunderdale may huff and puff every time her choices are questioned - but she WILL have a pension.
Our biggest problem is that our politically based system is very similar to a quick-buck corporation - concentrate on the now - the next few years - the next election. Unfortunately they see this as their job instead of being the keepers of our future.
If we build Muskrat now - there will be lots of jobs now and make them look good. Unfortunately there are no measurable numbers of long term jobs but there is certainly measurable long term debt. So while the shareholders of Emera will enjoy increased profits through guaranteed returns - we the owners, the taxpayers and ratepayers will suffer.
Our system of immediate political rewards, needs, and votes is also costing us at the Federal level. Right now - I am convinced that Stephen Harper can strip our province of every benefit of "con"federation - and Dunderdale will let it happen as long as the loan guarantee carrot exists.
We need vision and we need it now.
We need leadership and we need it now.
We need a plan and we need it now.
We need action and we need it now.
These games - childish political games - played by incompetent, disinterested, and/or partisan people with an need to satisfy the next polling period - will destroy us.
These politicians who through their own words, excuses, and frustration cause you and me to detest the fishery with them.
You think you can afford to not care about the fishery? Think again.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Clawing our way Forward - Co-op-eratively
Fisheries Policy in Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador is - to say the least - a failure.
1. Our ground fish stocks were destroyed by federal management.
2. We have lost 80,000 people from our province as a result.
3. We have lost dozens of communities as a result.
4. Continued decline of processing these natural resources.
5. Continued increase in Corporate desire to ship unprocessed catch.
The lobster fishermen in our province are moving forward with a "new" approach to their fishery by voting to form a Co-op. This in turn allows them more control with respect to pricing and offers them alternatives to the continued control of pricing by the buyers/processors.
Sounds great to me.
How about this?
If the species is processed in the province - let the harvesters and buyers/processors work it out while growing jobs for secondary added value.
The only time the government of Newfoundland and Labrador should consider a request to ship raw catch out of the province is when that request comes from a harvesters co-op.
If you want to be a processor - then process. Do not seek to become a harvester by proxy - while diminishing the real economic potential of value-added production.
The province should then reinstate a marketing arm that will help harvesters sell their catch to foreign markets - when processors have no interest in value-added production of the species.
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador have a responsibility to all people of the province and in the socio/economic well being of same. The corporate processors have responsibility to make as much profit as possible for the shareholders of their companies.
1. Our ground fish stocks were destroyed by federal management.
2. We have lost 80,000 people from our province as a result.
3. We have lost dozens of communities as a result.
4. Continued decline of processing these natural resources.
5. Continued increase in Corporate desire to ship unprocessed catch.
The lobster fishermen in our province are moving forward with a "new" approach to their fishery by voting to form a Co-op. This in turn allows them more control with respect to pricing and offers them alternatives to the continued control of pricing by the buyers/processors.
Sounds great to me.
How about this?
If the species is processed in the province - let the harvesters and buyers/processors work it out while growing jobs for secondary added value.
The only time the government of Newfoundland and Labrador should consider a request to ship raw catch out of the province is when that request comes from a harvesters co-op.
If you want to be a processor - then process. Do not seek to become a harvester by proxy - while diminishing the real economic potential of value-added production.
The province should then reinstate a marketing arm that will help harvesters sell their catch to foreign markets - when processors have no interest in value-added production of the species.
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador have a responsibility to all people of the province and in the socio/economic well being of same. The corporate processors have responsibility to make as much profit as possible for the shareholders of their companies.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Dunderdale a Bully and a Bluff
There are two things I can be certain of with Premier Dunderdale; first she will bully her own people and local business and she will cower to Ottawa and national/multinational corporations.
Today in the House of Assembly and on some "we dont' debate on Twitter" tweets our Premier attacked the official opposition and the nation's third party for failure to stop the closure of the marine rescue sub-centre. Meanwhile she - as the leader of the Government and her federal choice for Parliament are actually failing to prevent this closure.
Dunderdale looked weaker today than she ever has, huffing and puffing her misdirected steam at Opposition MHA's while the girth of the bobbing heads on her backbench grew.
Dunderdale is afraid of Harper and afraid of big corporations - on the counter side our Premier has no problem roughing up locals like fishermen, local businesses or municipalities.
As a big fish in the little sea - she is all powerful - aggressive - punitive - and threatening.
As a little fish in the big sea of Canada - she is gutless - timid - weak - and afraid.
Premier Dunderdale will take on local bloggers with a gusto - she will demean Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who dare to challenge the Muskrat Falls fiasco - including former political leaders, energy experts, lawyers, environmentalists, and academics. On the other hand she bows down to the knowledge of Premiers, business leaders, and experts from other provinces and pretty much kisses the feet of Stephen Harper. The Prime Minister who has mistreated this province and lied to its people and leaders - gets more respect and decency from Dunderdale than she shows her own constituents - Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
You Ma'am are a disgrace. You Kathy Dunderdale are a bully and a bluff!
Today in the House of Assembly and on some "we dont' debate on Twitter" tweets our Premier attacked the official opposition and the nation's third party for failure to stop the closure of the marine rescue sub-centre. Meanwhile she - as the leader of the Government and her federal choice for Parliament are actually failing to prevent this closure.
Dunderdale looked weaker today than she ever has, huffing and puffing her misdirected steam at Opposition MHA's while the girth of the bobbing heads on her backbench grew.
Dunderdale is afraid of Harper and afraid of big corporations - on the counter side our Premier has no problem roughing up locals like fishermen, local businesses or municipalities.
As a big fish in the little sea - she is all powerful - aggressive - punitive - and threatening.
As a little fish in the big sea of Canada - she is gutless - timid - weak - and afraid.
Premier Dunderdale will take on local bloggers with a gusto - she will demean Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who dare to challenge the Muskrat Falls fiasco - including former political leaders, energy experts, lawyers, environmentalists, and academics. On the other hand she bows down to the knowledge of Premiers, business leaders, and experts from other provinces and pretty much kisses the feet of Stephen Harper. The Prime Minister who has mistreated this province and lied to its people and leaders - gets more respect and decency from Dunderdale than she shows her own constituents - Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
You Ma'am are a disgrace. You Kathy Dunderdale are a bully and a bluff!
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Jerome the Bully looking for Protection - on International Women's Day?
International Women's Day has been usurped by a partisan bully that can not stand in the House of Assembly and pretend to give a damn about women's rights, respect for women, bullying of women, and the reputation of a woman or women as long as he attempts to intimidate one woman.
This year's theme is:
Strong Women, Strong Canada –
Minister Kennedy - I as one woman who is involved in the private sector - can tell you that I feel you have tried to intimidate me - intimidate those I work with - and attempted to damage my professional reputation. You and your government have on many occasions made me feel uncomfortable, attempted to intimidate me, treated me differently than other citizens employed in my type of work, and alienated me from due process afforded to all citizens.
You Minister Kennedy sit next to Darin King - Minister of Fisheries - who openly bullied an entire organization because he felt one person involved in that organization was criticizing him.
Your colleague, the Premier is a woman and has no problem attacking women who criticize her. The Premier has no problem calling people names while not having the guts to name them individually.
The Minister - who was the subject of this purported intimidation - herself has no problem treating a woman with contempt - if that woman disagrees with her government.
The partisan zealotry of this government goes beyond anything I have ever witnessed and if it happens to be a woman who challenges the policies of this government - there is no hesitation in attacking that individual whenever the opportunity arises.
The Premier may be a woman and there may be women who sit in senior Cabinet portfolios - but I can tell you that some of women residing in the rural, remote, and northern communities that I represent - are not getting the decency of a hearing from this government.
The nonsense demonstrated in the House of Assembly today is a continued attack on women by using an event - saving it for this day - to satisfy male political egos.
If this administration is consistant - there will be a cost to me for this post.
This year's theme is:
Strong Women, Strong Canada –
Women in Rural, Remote and Northern Communities: Key to Canada's Economic Prosperity
Minister Kennedy - I as one woman who is involved in the private sector - can tell you that I feel you have tried to intimidate me - intimidate those I work with - and attempted to damage my professional reputation. You and your government have on many occasions made me feel uncomfortable, attempted to intimidate me, treated me differently than other citizens employed in my type of work, and alienated me from due process afforded to all citizens.You Minister Kennedy sit next to Darin King - Minister of Fisheries - who openly bullied an entire organization because he felt one person involved in that organization was criticizing him.
Your colleague, the Premier is a woman and has no problem attacking women who criticize her. The Premier has no problem calling people names while not having the guts to name them individually.
The Minister - who was the subject of this purported intimidation - herself has no problem treating a woman with contempt - if that woman disagrees with her government.
The partisan zealotry of this government goes beyond anything I have ever witnessed and if it happens to be a woman who challenges the policies of this government - there is no hesitation in attacking that individual whenever the opportunity arises.
The Premier may be a woman and there may be women who sit in senior Cabinet portfolios - but I can tell you that some of women residing in the rural, remote, and northern communities that I represent - are not getting the decency of a hearing from this government.
The nonsense demonstrated in the House of Assembly today is a continued attack on women by using an event - saving it for this day - to satisfy male political egos.
If this administration is consistant - there will be a cost to me for this post.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Let's be Darin "King" as he sits on his HOA Throne
I feel a natural high today - I have power.
I have the power to take money from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and spend it as I wish.
I have the power to remove support from the FFAW because they criticize me.
I have the power to threaten members on the other side of the House of Assembly.
I was born a King but now I have become King.
I can say what I want to whomever I want because I have the power.
I can call people names - and if they don't like it - my government and I have the power to punish them.
But I am only King over people - ordinary citizens - I must remember my real masters.
I know it looks hypocritical for me to do it to Earle McCurdy but not to Ches Penney - but I must remember.
I am Darin - Darin the King and I have power.
My party is so powerful - I have even more power.
I am not a servant of the people I am King.
I can hide in the House of Assembly on my throne - where I have power - and I can attack the FFAW - they do not sit in here.
I am King - listen to me - I am King.
I am not a bully - I am King - and the FFAW better get used to it.
I do not bully - I rule with power - absolute power - and my subjects would do well to remember that.
I do not have to answer questions - off with their heads.
I am King - and as you can see - I am all powerful. Let that be a warning to you.
Translated - I completely lack self-confidence, bully to protect my weaknesses, and abuse power because it makes me feel good. I am a teacher - don't you know - and you better learn NOW!
I have the power to take money from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and spend it as I wish.
I have the power to remove support from the FFAW because they criticize me.
I have the power to threaten members on the other side of the House of Assembly.
I was born a King but now I have become King.
I can say what I want to whomever I want because I have the power.
I can call people names - and if they don't like it - my government and I have the power to punish them.
But I am only King over people - ordinary citizens - I must remember my real masters.
I know it looks hypocritical for me to do it to Earle McCurdy but not to Ches Penney - but I must remember.
I am Darin - Darin the King and I have power.
My party is so powerful - I have even more power.
I am not a servant of the people I am King.
I can hide in the House of Assembly on my throne - where I have power - and I can attack the FFAW - they do not sit in here.
I am King - listen to me - I am King.
I am not a bully - I am King - and the FFAW better get used to it.
I do not bully - I rule with power - absolute power - and my subjects would do well to remember that.
I do not have to answer questions - off with their heads.
I am King - and as you can see - I am all powerful. Let that be a warning to you.
Translated - I completely lack self-confidence, bully to protect my weaknesses, and abuse power because it makes me feel good. I am a teacher - don't you know - and you better learn NOW!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
OCI's Written Criticisms of Darin King and Government
The following are statements made by Ocean Choice International (OCI) in official Media Releases.
"At the core of the issue is overregulation in the fishing industry. The company says this is the only fishing jurisdiction in the world with restrictions which impede the growth of the fishing industry and make it uncompetitive in the global marketplace."
"At the core of the issue is overregulation in the fishing industry. The company says this is the only fishing jurisdiction in the world with restrictions which impede the growth of the fishing industry and make it uncompetitive in the global marketplace."
"Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice
International, said today his company has been very cooperative with the
provincial government regarding the current proposals on flatfish and redfish,
and he was disappointed to hear government make comments to the contrary late
last week. Sullivan said remarks by fisheries minister Darin King have left
global customers, employees and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador
questioning the credibility of the company, something he said should never have
happened."
"Ocean Choice International remains committed to addressing required change in the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, its CEO, Martin Sullivan, said today. The company is deeply disappointed, however, in the provincial government’s public remarks today that call into question the company’s credibility as a significant employer in the fishing industry in the province."
Based on Darin King's actions toward the FFAW for criticizing the government - what does he have planned for OCI?
Darin King about to investigate OCI Operations? Fin in Mouth disease!
So our Fisheries Minister continued today - on a local talk show - to prove that his government is vindictive toward critics.
The Minister was all over the place unsure if he was against criticism or not - for punishment or not - in charge or not - or simply too frustrated to do his job.
The Minister now wants to restate his position from yesterday - when he informed Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that they may be punished if they criticize the government. Today he removed a million bucks from the FFAW because union chief Earl MacCurdy said the government was not spending it's money in the right places - within the industry.
So the Minister wants us to believe that of the over 50 million spent by government - only 1/50th of which is for special projects with the union - the only immediate concern was that of the FFAW. Darin you believe that Earl was saying that their projects were not worthwhile - so it was okay to start by cutting that?
No you did not believe that Minister King - do not lie. The FFAW was questioning how some investments of the government in the fishery might not be the best investments - so you - without any investigation cut the funds of the one group that spoke out?
Have you in any way contributed to the well-being of OCI? Have the people of Newfoundland and Labrador contributed any funds in any way whatsoever to that company? Has the government provided in any way - policy decisions - that were favourable to OCI?
I recall that OCI criticized King for denying its request for unprocessed export. The government has granted them exemptions in the past - right? Now that Ches and Company have criticized the Minister - how will they be punished?
King went on to talk about the frustration he feels when the FFAW talk about things that he (provincial fisheries Minister) does not have jurisdiction over (fish quota's). Minister - has the government stepped in on quota allocations before?
Where did OCI get all these assets anyway? Was FPI sold? What was sold? Buy it back.
While we are at it - now that OCI has criticized government - will you Minister King launch a full review of their operations and determine if government should be supporting anything at all that it asks for?
As for pointing the finger at the feds and saying it's them not us - and we can't criticize them because they punish critics - the same way you do - then we are all in a mess.
Perhaps it's time for Darin to be shuffled before he puts more fins in mouth.
The Minister was all over the place unsure if he was against criticism or not - for punishment or not - in charge or not - or simply too frustrated to do his job.
The Minister now wants to restate his position from yesterday - when he informed Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that they may be punished if they criticize the government. Today he removed a million bucks from the FFAW because union chief Earl MacCurdy said the government was not spending it's money in the right places - within the industry.
So the Minister wants us to believe that of the over 50 million spent by government - only 1/50th of which is for special projects with the union - the only immediate concern was that of the FFAW. Darin you believe that Earl was saying that their projects were not worthwhile - so it was okay to start by cutting that?
No you did not believe that Minister King - do not lie. The FFAW was questioning how some investments of the government in the fishery might not be the best investments - so you - without any investigation cut the funds of the one group that spoke out?
Have you in any way contributed to the well-being of OCI? Have the people of Newfoundland and Labrador contributed any funds in any way whatsoever to that company? Has the government provided in any way - policy decisions - that were favourable to OCI?
I recall that OCI criticized King for denying its request for unprocessed export. The government has granted them exemptions in the past - right? Now that Ches and Company have criticized the Minister - how will they be punished?
King went on to talk about the frustration he feels when the FFAW talk about things that he (provincial fisheries Minister) does not have jurisdiction over (fish quota's). Minister - has the government stepped in on quota allocations before?
Where did OCI get all these assets anyway? Was FPI sold? What was sold? Buy it back.
While we are at it - now that OCI has criticized government - will you Minister King launch a full review of their operations and determine if government should be supporting anything at all that it asks for?
As for pointing the finger at the feds and saying it's them not us - and we can't criticize them because they punish critics - the same way you do - then we are all in a mess.
Perhaps it's time for Darin to be shuffled before he puts more fins in mouth.
Darin King provides Best Reason to stop Emera Deal
Minister Darin King appeared on the Fisheries Broadcast yesterday to explain why the government was freezing money to the FFAW for special projects.
During that interview - Minister King made a remarkable comment. We should all read it carefully.
"The Union is questioning the validity of the support that we're putting into the industry and based upon their advice I've asked my officials to stop funding anything the Union or any other groups are doing until I look at it personally. If they feel that the money we're putting into this industry is not going into the right places then I have an obligation as a Minister of the Crown to stop what we're doing and see if there's better ways to spend this money."
Based on the above statement by Minister King - I will suggest that there are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have been criticizing the Emera deal on Muskrat Falls and have asked the Premier and Ministers to stop funding this deal and to stop supporting it until we review all options on the 6 billion dollar expenditure and see if there's better ways to spend the money.
Considering Darin King was so concerned over the expenditure of a million dollars to the FFAW - he must be killing himself with worry over 6 billion dollars. Certainly he must have heard our voices.
So Darin - please advise your officials that we need to put the brakes on this deal.
The Minister makes a host of interesting comments and is certainly not consistent with his approach to Ministerial Obligations. Press HERE to hear complete interview.
During that interview - Minister King made a remarkable comment. We should all read it carefully.
"The Union is questioning the validity of the support that we're putting into the industry and based upon their advice I've asked my officials to stop funding anything the Union or any other groups are doing until I look at it personally. If they feel that the money we're putting into this industry is not going into the right places then I have an obligation as a Minister of the Crown to stop what we're doing and see if there's better ways to spend this money."
Based on the above statement by Minister King - I will suggest that there are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have been criticizing the Emera deal on Muskrat Falls and have asked the Premier and Ministers to stop funding this deal and to stop supporting it until we review all options on the 6 billion dollar expenditure and see if there's better ways to spend the money.
Considering Darin King was so concerned over the expenditure of a million dollars to the FFAW - he must be killing himself with worry over 6 billion dollars. Certainly he must have heard our voices.
So Darin - please advise your officials that we need to put the brakes on this deal.
The Minister makes a host of interesting comments and is certainly not consistent with his approach to Ministerial Obligations. Press HERE to hear complete interview.
Investigation Needed! Fear of Retribution - Dunderdale's Administation
Take these three statements found in the Telegram in 2012:
- St. John’s lawyer Ches Crosbie said he doesn’t want to become a target for speaking on the Muskrat Falls project, but he’s doing it anyway.
“I don’t want to get pissed on by the government,” he said. “Like anyone, I don’t want to make myself a target.”
- Fisheries Minister, Darin King, having just removed funding from the FFAW explains why.
"I've clearly learned that no matter what we do in this situation, the FFAW is always going to have a criticism to be lobbied at government. "There's no way they're ever going to be working with us for the betterment of the industry."
- Russell Wangersky on a letter the Telegram received wherein the person asked to remain anonymous.
Friday, a letter came in where the writer said “I would like to publish the attached as a letter to the editor but can't do it under my name.”
Asked for the reasons for requesting anonymity, the writer mentioned concerns about government retribution against family members.
__________________________________________________________
These are just a few examples of many wherein either people express their fear of government or the Premier and her Ministers describing bloggers, tweeters, and callers to talk-shows as naysayers, political hacks, ignorant, or foolish.
Darin King on the Fisheries Broadcast yesterday went on to say that criticism (publicly) is not necessary just come sit at the table. Number one that is a lie - to stop criticizing government does not guarantee they will ever sit at a table. Number two - the desire of this Minister and others - including the Premier - that public discourse be halted is very disturbing. Number three - the continued labelling of citizens who criticize by using very negative adjectives or adverbs - in an attempt to shut them up - is the sign of a very weak government that is not confident in its policies.
Russell Wangersky is his piece says:
"The fear of retribution is not new: whether it’s a reality or not is hard to know for sure. I know businessmen I’ve talked to in the province — and I’ve said this before — who are willing to talk a lot about Muskrat Falls in private, but who will never speak publicly.
And there have been cases where the province has removed people from positions for making comments the government didn’t approve of."
Russell is one of the few journalists we have left in the province - however - he too questions the reality of retribution. Maybe it's time for Russell and his colleagues to truly investigate this hypothesis and determine once and for all whether this is the case or not.
I am certain it is - as I personally - have been and continue to be on the receiving end.
The Dunderdale administration was trained like seals by Premier Williams on the art of attacking citizens and media who dare criticize. While the terribly weak MHA's who bless Danny Williams for their good fortune - continue to behave as told - in order to hang on to the best gig they will ever have; the media should not be so intimidated - that is unless there's something we don't know about their bosses.
The talk-shows on VOCM are NOT what they used to be - the rules are different - and they control the flow of what is debated or discussed. It is NOT a free for all. What Steele and the shareholders of Newfoundland Capital Corporation (headquartered in Nova Scotia) should understand - is that if this intimidation of intelligent citizens continues - the programs will be left with - Tony - Margorie - and Jack - accompanied by Tory Ministers and backbenchers praising the statue of Dunderdale or the inverted M archway heading into the promised Dannyland.
- St. John’s lawyer Ches Crosbie said he doesn’t want to become a target for speaking on the Muskrat Falls project, but he’s doing it anyway.
“I don’t want to get pissed on by the government,” he said. “Like anyone, I don’t want to make myself a target.”
- Fisheries Minister, Darin King, having just removed funding from the FFAW explains why.
"I've clearly learned that no matter what we do in this situation, the FFAW is always going to have a criticism to be lobbied at government. "There's no way they're ever going to be working with us for the betterment of the industry."
- Russell Wangersky on a letter the Telegram received wherein the person asked to remain anonymous.
Friday, a letter came in where the writer said “I would like to publish the attached as a letter to the editor but can't do it under my name.”
Asked for the reasons for requesting anonymity, the writer mentioned concerns about government retribution against family members.
__________________________________________________________
These are just a few examples of many wherein either people express their fear of government or the Premier and her Ministers describing bloggers, tweeters, and callers to talk-shows as naysayers, political hacks, ignorant, or foolish.
Darin King on the Fisheries Broadcast yesterday went on to say that criticism (publicly) is not necessary just come sit at the table. Number one that is a lie - to stop criticizing government does not guarantee they will ever sit at a table. Number two - the desire of this Minister and others - including the Premier - that public discourse be halted is very disturbing. Number three - the continued labelling of citizens who criticize by using very negative adjectives or adverbs - in an attempt to shut them up - is the sign of a very weak government that is not confident in its policies.
Russell Wangersky is his piece says:
"The fear of retribution is not new: whether it’s a reality or not is hard to know for sure. I know businessmen I’ve talked to in the province — and I’ve said this before — who are willing to talk a lot about Muskrat Falls in private, but who will never speak publicly.
And there have been cases where the province has removed people from positions for making comments the government didn’t approve of."
Russell is one of the few journalists we have left in the province - however - he too questions the reality of retribution. Maybe it's time for Russell and his colleagues to truly investigate this hypothesis and determine once and for all whether this is the case or not.
I am certain it is - as I personally - have been and continue to be on the receiving end.
The Dunderdale administration was trained like seals by Premier Williams on the art of attacking citizens and media who dare criticize. While the terribly weak MHA's who bless Danny Williams for their good fortune - continue to behave as told - in order to hang on to the best gig they will ever have; the media should not be so intimidated - that is unless there's something we don't know about their bosses.
The talk-shows on VOCM are NOT what they used to be - the rules are different - and they control the flow of what is debated or discussed. It is NOT a free for all. What Steele and the shareholders of Newfoundland Capital Corporation (headquartered in Nova Scotia) should understand - is that if this intimidation of intelligent citizens continues - the programs will be left with - Tony - Margorie - and Jack - accompanied by Tory Ministers and backbenchers praising the statue of Dunderdale or the inverted M archway heading into the promised Dannyland.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
A fishery, who’s history has been cess pooled by private corporate usurping
Below please find a response to John Furlong's article on the Fishery:
Who are We?
“And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?”
‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’, by T. S. Eliot.
It would be totally understandable, though not acceptable, if an ordinary citizen of our province had written the
Jan 1,2012 CBC news (cbc.ca) post ‘Assigning blame for lost jobs helps no one’, by John Furlong, host of NL’s CBC radio show ‘the fisheries broadcast’. Many people don’t, nor should they have to, understand the complexity of our fisheries problems. A fishery, who’s history has been cess pooled by private corporate usurping, and powering, of fish licences and quotas attained through the persuasion and coercion of the fisheries mismanaged federal and provincial governments.
Since our confederation a fishery, our treasured heritage, that the federal government has bartered and pandered away for favorable reciprocal international trading practices with the foreign fishing nations of NAFO and the EU. The final blow of the federal government’s policy of disinheriting us from our fishery will be played out in the coming months of the Canadian/EU free trade agreement.
The effect of this, as any elementary school child knows, has been the loss of 40,000 fisheries jobs, borderline rural poverty, gutted coastal communities and the dissemination of our maritime culture. Perhaps many young people, today, in the province don’t understand that it was the fisheries 500 year life line that gave our forefathers substiance, that built our family structures that gave us our unique character and godliness and made the province what it is today.
Losing our fishery will sever the connection we have always had to the sea, and to all these eternal things which we have uniquely been and to which we cling to today. Losing our fishery will destroy our ability, as individuals, to achieve, to connect to what our forefathers mastered and knew so well, the right they passed on to us. Losing our connection to the sea will destroy our birth right of dignity, in finding peace and pleasure, security and contentment within ourselves in our own homeland, from learning and exercising the mastered skills of seafarers. Who, or what, will we be then?
The conventional idea that a solution will solve a problem is an illusion, the thought or notion that ‘coming up with’ or ‘guessing at’ answers to problems will solve them. This hit or miss affair which does not encompass the breadth and depth of ‘what’s wrong’ and thus has nothing to do with the real structure of a problem and what will correct it. Only full understanding of a problem, which includes understanding it’s root cause, the nature and record of its history, if applicable to what may be still happening today, can bring proper insight and action that is needed to fix it. Simply put, if you learn and know fully, the problem, what it has been and what it is now. It will tell you what the solutions are. Fact!
“And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?”
‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’, by T. S. Eliot.
It would be totally understandable, though not acceptable, if an ordinary citizen of our province had written the
Jan 1,2012 CBC news (cbc.ca) post ‘Assigning blame for lost jobs helps no one’, by John Furlong, host of NL’s CBC radio show ‘the fisheries broadcast’. Many people don’t, nor should they have to, understand the complexity of our fisheries problems. A fishery, who’s history has been cess pooled by private corporate usurping, and powering, of fish licences and quotas attained through the persuasion and coercion of the fisheries mismanaged federal and provincial governments.
Since our confederation a fishery, our treasured heritage, that the federal government has bartered and pandered away for favorable reciprocal international trading practices with the foreign fishing nations of NAFO and the EU. The final blow of the federal government’s policy of disinheriting us from our fishery will be played out in the coming months of the Canadian/EU free trade agreement.
The effect of this, as any elementary school child knows, has been the loss of 40,000 fisheries jobs, borderline rural poverty, gutted coastal communities and the dissemination of our maritime culture. Perhaps many young people, today, in the province don’t understand that it was the fisheries 500 year life line that gave our forefathers substiance, that built our family structures that gave us our unique character and godliness and made the province what it is today.
Losing our fishery will sever the connection we have always had to the sea, and to all these eternal things which we have uniquely been and to which we cling to today. Losing our fishery will destroy our ability, as individuals, to achieve, to connect to what our forefathers mastered and knew so well, the right they passed on to us. Losing our connection to the sea will destroy our birth right of dignity, in finding peace and pleasure, security and contentment within ourselves in our own homeland, from learning and exercising the mastered skills of seafarers. Who, or what, will we be then?
The conventional idea that a solution will solve a problem is an illusion, the thought or notion that ‘coming up with’ or ‘guessing at’ answers to problems will solve them. This hit or miss affair which does not encompass the breadth and depth of ‘what’s wrong’ and thus has nothing to do with the real structure of a problem and what will correct it. Only full understanding of a problem, which includes understanding it’s root cause, the nature and record of its history, if applicable to what may be still happening today, can bring proper insight and action that is needed to fix it. Simply put, if you learn and know fully, the problem, what it has been and what it is now. It will tell you what the solutions are. Fact!
These are just a few simple facts of what the fishery has
been and what it ‘is’ now, today. They are not biased or based on my
impression, opinion, wants, feelings, emotions or ego. It has nothing to do
with me or any one person’s opinion, nor does it have anything to do with going
back to the ways of the past, fishing in the ‘old ways’. It has to do with one
thing only, the truth. There are many who don’t want the truth exposed or who
would like those like me proven wrong and shown to be fools. Well that’s simple
to do, it only requires taking on the truth of the matter as it has been
requested. Why has it not been done?
After reading Furlongs article and in light of my comments I give the following response.
It is not acceptable that the host of NL’s premier fisheries radio show be permitted to belittle and denigrate the fisher people, the fishery and the coastal communities of this province. His opinion and manner in attacking attempts to expose fisheries truth and the people whose lives depend on it is wrong. But its consequences, of him being in the position of holding up the peoples trust on the Fisheries Broadcast, are in total disrespect of the crisis facing our province. For some time the FB present host has subtly been pushing and defending the federal and corporate agenda. He should be replaced.
What is this all about? Do you know?
It is about this planet’s god given treasure to us Newfoundlander’s and Labradorian’s, the Grand Banks of NL and the surrounding greatest fishery in the world. And what is that for? Yours and my children, and their children’s children. Fact!
“We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.”
Philip Earle
After reading Furlongs article and in light of my comments I give the following response.
It is not acceptable that the host of NL’s premier fisheries radio show be permitted to belittle and denigrate the fisher people, the fishery and the coastal communities of this province. His opinion and manner in attacking attempts to expose fisheries truth and the people whose lives depend on it is wrong. But its consequences, of him being in the position of holding up the peoples trust on the Fisheries Broadcast, are in total disrespect of the crisis facing our province. For some time the FB present host has subtly been pushing and defending the federal and corporate agenda. He should be replaced.
What is this all about? Do you know?
It is about this planet’s god given treasure to us Newfoundlander’s and Labradorian’s, the Grand Banks of NL and the surrounding greatest fishery in the world. And what is that for? Yours and my children, and their children’s children. Fact!
“We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.”
Philip Earle
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Inept Politicians Responsible for kicking the Pride out of our People
It is true that I am opinionated - but unlike frenzied partisan zealots - my opinion is based on research.
The title of this post is no longer a matter of opinion - it is a fact.
How many of you have listened or read negative and quite often nasty comments made by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians regarding the fishery?
You know like "it's time we rationalized" - "time to stop the welfare" - "I am sick of hearing fishermen complaining"?
How sad - to hear our own people kick our own people - when they are NOT responsible for the fisheries disaster.
How sad to hear other people inflicted by unemployment caused by inept politicians turn on unemployed fishermen and plant workers instead of the inept politicians.
How utterly pathetic to hear inept politicians ponder how to cut the guts out of the fishery, entire communities and families rather than tackle Uncle Ottawa.
1. The fishery was mismanaged by the federal government.
2. That mismanagement costs this province 1 billion dollars annually.
3. The recovery expected by 2001 did not occur.
4. There has been NO compensation for the past decade meaning we have lost 10 billion dollars.
5. The federal government continues to diminish fisheries science rendering the resource and the industry dead.
6. Newfoundland and Labrador has lost over 40,000 people and rendered many communities bankrupt from this loss.
7. The fishery continues to be a bargaining chip for foreign trade without the benefits of such accruing to Newfoundland and Labrador.
8. The provincial government does not have the knowledge, the will, or the guts to do what is right.
9. Rationalization is a word used to cover up incompetence at both the federal and provincial levels.
10. Politicians are responsible for kicking the pride out of our people and for turning one Newfoundlander and Labradorian against another Newfoundlander and Labradorian.
The title of this post is no longer a matter of opinion - it is a fact.
How many of you have listened or read negative and quite often nasty comments made by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians regarding the fishery?
You know like "it's time we rationalized" - "time to stop the welfare" - "I am sick of hearing fishermen complaining"?
How sad - to hear our own people kick our own people - when they are NOT responsible for the fisheries disaster.
How sad to hear other people inflicted by unemployment caused by inept politicians turn on unemployed fishermen and plant workers instead of the inept politicians.
How utterly pathetic to hear inept politicians ponder how to cut the guts out of the fishery, entire communities and families rather than tackle Uncle Ottawa.
1. The fishery was mismanaged by the federal government.
2. That mismanagement costs this province 1 billion dollars annually.
3. The recovery expected by 2001 did not occur.
4. There has been NO compensation for the past decade meaning we have lost 10 billion dollars.
5. The federal government continues to diminish fisheries science rendering the resource and the industry dead.
6. Newfoundland and Labrador has lost over 40,000 people and rendered many communities bankrupt from this loss.
7. The fishery continues to be a bargaining chip for foreign trade without the benefits of such accruing to Newfoundland and Labrador.
8. The provincial government does not have the knowledge, the will, or the guts to do what is right.
9. Rationalization is a word used to cover up incompetence at both the federal and provincial levels.
10. Politicians are responsible for kicking the pride out of our people and for turning one Newfoundlander and Labradorian against another Newfoundlander and Labradorian.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Conservative MP Zimmer continues to put foot in his mouth - on Marine Rescue
Conservative MP Bob Zimmer has come back again on Twitter this time he says of the Marine Rescue sub-centre closure
"our party has to make tough decisions to balance our budget. That is leadership, sorry"
This guy is great - he however boasts about the government treating farmers "right".
If you are on twitter please send your messages to him @ZimmerBob
His Email is: Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca
His Telephone number is: Telephone: (250) 561-7922
"our party has to make tough decisions to balance our budget. That is leadership, sorry"
This guy is great - he however boasts about the government treating farmers "right".
If you are on twitter please send your messages to him @ZimmerBob
His Email is: Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca
His Telephone number is: Telephone: (250) 561-7922
Conservative MP cheers the closure of the Marine Rescue sub-centre - Send him a Message here!
Conservative MP Bob Zimmer just tweeted me the following on the closure of the Marine Rescue sub-centre!
If you are on twitter please send your messages to him @ZimmerBob
His Email is: Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca
His Telephone number is: Telephone: (250) 561-7922
go Harper go!!! You mean Marine call centre
If you are on twitter please send your messages to him @ZimmerBob
His Email is: Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca
His Telephone number is: Telephone: (250) 561-7922
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Fish and Chips - Shame on us and shame on you Dunderdale and Harper
The head of Iceland’s Marine Research Institute (Hafro) says that stock measurements indicate the country’s cod stock is getting stronger.
The headline above says it all - in a country where fishing activities remains the single biggest economic activity. So I guess taking real action in the past - regarding foreign fleets and the protection of their livelihood is paying off.
What a sad reflection of Canada and our provincial governments. You think maybe someday we will feel the pride of being our own nation or even just feeling pride - and do what's necessary to protect the future of our children.
Shame on us!
With all due respect to Gus Etchegary, Dr. Phil Earle and others - the time for study and inquiries is over. Sue the federal government for mismanagement, the loss of our fishery, communities and tens of thousands of people. Is McCurdy still trying to get a buy-out package? What a disgrace we will be in the eyes of future generations.
The headline above says it all - in a country where fishing activities remains the single biggest economic activity. So I guess taking real action in the past - regarding foreign fleets and the protection of their livelihood is paying off.
What a sad reflection of Canada and our provincial governments. You think maybe someday we will feel the pride of being our own nation or even just feeling pride - and do what's necessary to protect the future of our children.
Shame on us!
With all due respect to Gus Etchegary, Dr. Phil Earle and others - the time for study and inquiries is over. Sue the federal government for mismanagement, the loss of our fishery, communities and tens of thousands of people. Is McCurdy still trying to get a buy-out package? What a disgrace we will be in the eyes of future generations.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Hook Line and Sinker Lorraine Michael, Clyde Jackman, Derek Butler, Earl McCurdy et al
This is one of those times where not being partisan helps so much. The Fishery!
I tend to hold back on Lorraine Michael for a couple of reasons; the first is that it is a party of one in the legislature and two she really does not expect that she will be responsible for any decisions provincially any time soon.
My criticism today I hope will spur Lorraine or other party supporters to do something real about gaining effective voice in our political system.
This morning Lorraine was on VOCM's open-line dealing with her latest topic - the current report on the fishery and the call for the resignation of Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This comes after I watched Derek Butler, the Executive Director of the Association of Seafood Producers wailing on about essentially not getting their own way on fisheries restructuring. Now mind you he is right that government asked for it - it being a one-sided pre-determined outcome (the rationalization) of the fishery which hurts his members least - keeps control in any way possible of the fish - and continues to rake in money from whatever species not overfished yet.
I will get back to the association shortly now continuing with Lorraine the voice of the NDP in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lorraine came off as simply representing the FFAW and repeating their message. That is not the role of the NDP - rather if they want to ever stand a chance of forming a government in this province or more realistically the official opposition - the role is to create their own policy based on a balance of priorities. Right now she is not acting differently than Sarah Palin other than her special interests are the opposite end of the political spectrum.
The FFAW is fighting hard to downsize no different than the seafood producers - the only difference is they want government to pay significantly for their members to leave the sector voluntarily. This is not an answer - this is a cop-out and leaves nothing for future generations.
The NDP should seek compensation for those people and comm unites destroyed by federal mismanagement of this tremendous renewable resource but perhaps it should be in the form of continued employment in fisheries science. After all when the moratorium was supposed to end over a decade ago - it was supposed to be a result of the fish stocks recovering - not permanently disappearing. Tags and other programs were only to compensate for a very short period of time to allow for a "recovery". Those of retirement age should also be provided a pension reflecting earnings that could have been made during the moratorium
This compensation must come from the Government of Canada and everybody from Jack Leyton to Lorraine Michael should be demanding that Stephen Harper deliver and immediately. This country would not be let off the hook by other provinces and other sectors despite the fact that the feds were not responsible in those cases - such as drought and flooding affecting farmers - or global recessions affecting pulp and paper and aeronautics. Quebec and the Prairies would not stand for it and neither would the federal NDP.
Has there been an industrial collapse the size of our fisheries destruction in this country? No. Even when the auto sector was demolished by a corrupt marketplace - the feds and the NDP were right there to bail out what was necessary - that was not the federal governments fault. Newfoundland and Labrador lost tens of thousands of jobs and people from hundreds of communities directly because of federal mismanagement and we are squabbling in Newfoundland and Labrador about how "we" are going to pay for it.
Lorraine Michael should lead the charge in demanding compensation - and the restructuring of the fishery which would rebuild communities and return the industry back to the fishers and people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Downsizing or what most refer to as rationalization (because that word sounds like we are doing something logical) is not necessary. We should have access to 1 billion dollars a year federal money - until the ground stocks recover and the fishery can continue as a permanent renewable sector for our people and our communities.
Politically there is not a party out there that would support the latest excuse of a fisheries report - particularly in an election year. Further Lorraine should recognize that the primary reason for hanging out Jackman now is to divert our attention away from another catastrophe - the deal with Emera on the Lower Churchill. Please stay focused Lorraine and protect these assets like I and many members of your party did when an attempt to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was ongoing (before your time here).
There is no doubt Derek Butler is representing his members and looking out for their financial interests but that is not necessarily good for the people and the communities relying on the renewable resource.
There is no doubt that Earl McCurdy is trying to get an easy way out and have his membership paid to leave.
This is not where you will find real solutions Lorraine - the real solutions are going to take a real effort and it means making Ottawa fully accountable and responsible.Your job is to represent this province and the best for its people - share this with your federal colleagues and get them to take the same interest in our fishery as they do constantly with farming and any Quebec related industrial concern.
This is how I know that Danny did not have the passion and skills to really do the job - yes he liked playing around with equalization but he lost. He never bothered to take on the feds regarding the fishery - just small dramatic roles with Larry King and Mark Critch. He does wear the coat occasionally
Simms regarding "rationalization" or "rural downsizing" take a break - have a tea and rethink.
I tend to hold back on Lorraine Michael for a couple of reasons; the first is that it is a party of one in the legislature and two she really does not expect that she will be responsible for any decisions provincially any time soon.
My criticism today I hope will spur Lorraine or other party supporters to do something real about gaining effective voice in our political system.
This morning Lorraine was on VOCM's open-line dealing with her latest topic - the current report on the fishery and the call for the resignation of Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This comes after I watched Derek Butler, the Executive Director of the Association of Seafood Producers wailing on about essentially not getting their own way on fisheries restructuring. Now mind you he is right that government asked for it - it being a one-sided pre-determined outcome (the rationalization) of the fishery which hurts his members least - keeps control in any way possible of the fish - and continues to rake in money from whatever species not overfished yet.
I will get back to the association shortly now continuing with Lorraine the voice of the NDP in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lorraine came off as simply representing the FFAW and repeating their message. That is not the role of the NDP - rather if they want to ever stand a chance of forming a government in this province or more realistically the official opposition - the role is to create their own policy based on a balance of priorities. Right now she is not acting differently than Sarah Palin other than her special interests are the opposite end of the political spectrum.
The FFAW is fighting hard to downsize no different than the seafood producers - the only difference is they want government to pay significantly for their members to leave the sector voluntarily. This is not an answer - this is a cop-out and leaves nothing for future generations.
The NDP should seek compensation for those people and comm unites destroyed by federal mismanagement of this tremendous renewable resource but perhaps it should be in the form of continued employment in fisheries science. After all when the moratorium was supposed to end over a decade ago - it was supposed to be a result of the fish stocks recovering - not permanently disappearing. Tags and other programs were only to compensate for a very short period of time to allow for a "recovery". Those of retirement age should also be provided a pension reflecting earnings that could have been made during the moratorium
This compensation must come from the Government of Canada and everybody from Jack Leyton to Lorraine Michael should be demanding that Stephen Harper deliver and immediately. This country would not be let off the hook by other provinces and other sectors despite the fact that the feds were not responsible in those cases - such as drought and flooding affecting farmers - or global recessions affecting pulp and paper and aeronautics. Quebec and the Prairies would not stand for it and neither would the federal NDP.
Has there been an industrial collapse the size of our fisheries destruction in this country? No. Even when the auto sector was demolished by a corrupt marketplace - the feds and the NDP were right there to bail out what was necessary - that was not the federal governments fault. Newfoundland and Labrador lost tens of thousands of jobs and people from hundreds of communities directly because of federal mismanagement and we are squabbling in Newfoundland and Labrador about how "we" are going to pay for it.
Lorraine Michael should lead the charge in demanding compensation - and the restructuring of the fishery which would rebuild communities and return the industry back to the fishers and people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Downsizing or what most refer to as rationalization (because that word sounds like we are doing something logical) is not necessary. We should have access to 1 billion dollars a year federal money - until the ground stocks recover and the fishery can continue as a permanent renewable sector for our people and our communities.
Politically there is not a party out there that would support the latest excuse of a fisheries report - particularly in an election year. Further Lorraine should recognize that the primary reason for hanging out Jackman now is to divert our attention away from another catastrophe - the deal with Emera on the Lower Churchill. Please stay focused Lorraine and protect these assets like I and many members of your party did when an attempt to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was ongoing (before your time here).
There is no doubt Derek Butler is representing his members and looking out for their financial interests but that is not necessarily good for the people and the communities relying on the renewable resource.
There is no doubt that Earl McCurdy is trying to get an easy way out and have his membership paid to leave.
This is not where you will find real solutions Lorraine - the real solutions are going to take a real effort and it means making Ottawa fully accountable and responsible.Your job is to represent this province and the best for its people - share this with your federal colleagues and get them to take the same interest in our fishery as they do constantly with farming and any Quebec related industrial concern.
This is how I know that Danny did not have the passion and skills to really do the job - yes he liked playing around with equalization but he lost. He never bothered to take on the feds regarding the fishery - just small dramatic roles with Larry King and Mark Critch. He does wear the coat occasionally
Simms regarding "rationalization" or "rural downsizing" take a break - have a tea and rethink.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
We are Gullible - Part One Clyde Jackman on giving "stamps'" to Risley and Penney
This will be a new addition to Sue's Blog. The "We are Gullible" series will deal on a regular basis with political statements that presume - we the people - are gullible.
Example: Siobhan Coady wants to tell us that Stephen Harper breaks promises. (lies)
Ms. Coady was elected under the ABC campaign which articulated that because Stehen Harper breaks promises - vote anything but Conservative.
Therefore we probably expect something more from Siobhan Coady than the obvious.
The first installment is the "news" from Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Clyde Jackman.
"We are Gullible" Part One
Minister finds way to give "stamps" to John Risley and Ches Penney
First the Minister announces funding as a partner for a three year project - now in its SECOND year.
Then the Minister joins in a chorus of helping the inshore harvesting fleet survive. Okay can we see the restructuring to see what inshore sector will be left? Are you kidding me - an important part of the future of our fishery rests in reducing fuel costs for the inshore fleet? Minister we have no idea how many fishers will be left or what kind of future they will have - however - we know they might get more efficient engines.
Then we are told that we need to show the global market that our industry is sustainable and environmentally friendly. I see - what about that little footnote that Canada under its management and the globe under foreign fleets have decimated a global supply of fish - our absent and missing stocks? This is environmentally friendly and sustainable?
Earl jumps in and tells us that fuel prices are a major burden on our fishing enterprises. Yeah Earl - I think fuel prices are a burden on every industry - but while the union chief is fiddling the enterprises (our people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador) continue to be eliminated because - we have NO FISH.
So we have a potential to ruin everything that still swims - the offshore oil platforms - no need to look at that or perhaps the floating rust buckets coming in and out of our waters bilging or picking up oil. No we need to concentrate on the carbon footprint of our inshore fleet.
Don't get me wrong - the inshore fleet - what is left of it should have a card to refill fuel free - part of a compensation package from Ottawa for destroying livelihoods of thousands of people and the cause of immeasurable out-migration. Please do not tell me - that the few harvesters we have left are still paying for gas.
And where is all this heading - well let me hypothesize. We need to prove that our industry is sustainable and environmentally friendly so Ches Penney and John Risley can get a stamp to put on a box of fish processed in PEI by foreign workers. Certainly a new concept on getting enough stamps.
And somehow today this is more important than NAFO or the continued plundering of our resources and the absolute wipe-out of all the places we want in tourism ads?
In a nutshell the Minister and Boss of the Union believe "we are gullible".
“This project will collect and analyze data in order to make recommendations for improved energy efficiency in the inshore harvesting sector,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “It will provide innovative research on how to better equip our inshore harvesting sector to address climbing fuel prices. Being energy efficient is a key component of a sustainable industry. As we move into the future, the fishing industry will need to demonstrate to the global marketplace that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. An important component of this will be to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.”
This project is a three-year initiative and is now in its second year. Year one involved the selection of vessels from the province’s inshore fleet. Installation of equipment was also started on some of the vessels. The installation work extended into year two with all equipment installed on the vessels followed by sea trials to verify the operational integrity of the equipment. Data is now being collected on-board the vessels and preliminary analysis is underway on consumption of fuel in various operating conditions, including weather and sea states. During the final year of work, data collection will continue and wrap up early in 2012.
The work plan also involves a complete analysis of all data collected during the entire project, testing the vessels under various operating configurations and conditions, and making recommendations for improved efficiency. This will include operations, as well as hull and machinery modifications to achieve optimum operating efficiency for each of the vessels studied.
“A strategic direction for the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation is the reduction in energy costs for the fish harvesting sector,” said Robert Verge, managing director for CCFI. “The centre has collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and other partners to develop technologies that reduce the energy costs of the sector through options such as new vessel design, bulbous bows for fishing vessels, new twine materials and different geometric designs for trawls. We are enthusiastic about the outcomes of this project and hope that it will clearly indicate to the industry what types of advances are required to make the most sizable cost and carbon output reductions in the fleet. These will be important to the industry’s future sustainability.”
“NSERC works to make Canada a country of innovators and discoverers,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, president of NSERC. “This project is finding innovative solutions for the fishing industry. The results will bring improvements in energy efficiency that will benefit the entire sector.”
“By monitoring performance of vessels while they fish, we are not only developing more stable and efficient hull designs; we are also building a valuable library of data that will be available for future research work,” said Neil Carter, project manager for the Fisheries and Marine Institute.
The project team is led by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and includes representatives from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, the National Research Council (NRC), the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW).
“Increasing the fuel efficiency of fishing vessels is key to improving the province’s inshore fish harvesting sector,” said Dr. John Quaicoe, dean (pro tempore) of Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. ”This project is important to the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry and Memorial University as it aims to develop a more sustainable industry.”
“Fuel costs are a major burden on our fishing enterprises,” said Earle McCurdy, president of the FFAW. “Enhanced energy efficiency has the potential to reduce costs and improve the bottom line for our fishing fleets, while at the same time improving the environmental sustainability of our fishing industry.”
This project is a continuation of a series of initiatives related to energy efficiency in the province’s fishing industry that has been funded through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. This program is an important component of the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. Of the $6 million allocated to the program since its launch in the spring of 2007, the program has invested approximately $5.8 million in industry-driven projects to date. A total of 128 projects have been funded since the program was created. Investment in the program has leveraged an additional $19.6 million from the industry and its partners. It has generated a total of $25.4 million for fishing industry research and development in the province.
Example: Siobhan Coady wants to tell us that Stephen Harper breaks promises. (lies)
Ms. Coady was elected under the ABC campaign which articulated that because Stehen Harper breaks promises - vote anything but Conservative.
Therefore we probably expect something more from Siobhan Coady than the obvious.
The first installment is the "news" from Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Clyde Jackman.
Energy Efficiency Audit to Assist Fish Harvesting Sector
"We are Gullible" Part One
Minister finds way to give "stamps" to John Risley and Ches Penney
First the Minister announces funding as a partner for a three year project - now in its SECOND year.
Then the Minister joins in a chorus of helping the inshore harvesting fleet survive. Okay can we see the restructuring to see what inshore sector will be left? Are you kidding me - an important part of the future of our fishery rests in reducing fuel costs for the inshore fleet? Minister we have no idea how many fishers will be left or what kind of future they will have - however - we know they might get more efficient engines.
Then we are told that we need to show the global market that our industry is sustainable and environmentally friendly. I see - what about that little footnote that Canada under its management and the globe under foreign fleets have decimated a global supply of fish - our absent and missing stocks? This is environmentally friendly and sustainable?
Earl jumps in and tells us that fuel prices are a major burden on our fishing enterprises. Yeah Earl - I think fuel prices are a burden on every industry - but while the union chief is fiddling the enterprises (our people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador) continue to be eliminated because - we have NO FISH.
So we have a potential to ruin everything that still swims - the offshore oil platforms - no need to look at that or perhaps the floating rust buckets coming in and out of our waters bilging or picking up oil. No we need to concentrate on the carbon footprint of our inshore fleet.
Don't get me wrong - the inshore fleet - what is left of it should have a card to refill fuel free - part of a compensation package from Ottawa for destroying livelihoods of thousands of people and the cause of immeasurable out-migration. Please do not tell me - that the few harvesters we have left are still paying for gas.
And where is all this heading - well let me hypothesize. We need to prove that our industry is sustainable and environmentally friendly so Ches Penney and John Risley can get a stamp to put on a box of fish processed in PEI by foreign workers. Certainly a new concept on getting enough stamps.
And somehow today this is more important than NAFO or the continued plundering of our resources and the absolute wipe-out of all the places we want in tourism ads?
In a nutshell the Minister and Boss of the Union believe "we are gullible".
Copy of News Release below: Emphasis added by me...
The Provincial Government is providing $200,000 toward the cost of an energy efficiency audit that will benefit the province’s fish harvesting sector. The audit is being carried out by the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science of Memorial University over a three-year period. It is estimated that the total cost of the project will be approximately $854,000, including the investment from the Provincial Government. These costs will be shared with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Research and Development Corporation.“This project will collect and analyze data in order to make recommendations for improved energy efficiency in the inshore harvesting sector,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “It will provide innovative research on how to better equip our inshore harvesting sector to address climbing fuel prices. Being energy efficient is a key component of a sustainable industry. As we move into the future, the fishing industry will need to demonstrate to the global marketplace that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. An important component of this will be to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.”
This project is a three-year initiative and is now in its second year. Year one involved the selection of vessels from the province’s inshore fleet. Installation of equipment was also started on some of the vessels. The installation work extended into year two with all equipment installed on the vessels followed by sea trials to verify the operational integrity of the equipment. Data is now being collected on-board the vessels and preliminary analysis is underway on consumption of fuel in various operating conditions, including weather and sea states. During the final year of work, data collection will continue and wrap up early in 2012.
The work plan also involves a complete analysis of all data collected during the entire project, testing the vessels under various operating configurations and conditions, and making recommendations for improved efficiency. This will include operations, as well as hull and machinery modifications to achieve optimum operating efficiency for each of the vessels studied.
“A strategic direction for the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation is the reduction in energy costs for the fish harvesting sector,” said Robert Verge, managing director for CCFI. “The centre has collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and other partners to develop technologies that reduce the energy costs of the sector through options such as new vessel design, bulbous bows for fishing vessels, new twine materials and different geometric designs for trawls. We are enthusiastic about the outcomes of this project and hope that it will clearly indicate to the industry what types of advances are required to make the most sizable cost and carbon output reductions in the fleet. These will be important to the industry’s future sustainability.”
“NSERC works to make Canada a country of innovators and discoverers,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, president of NSERC. “This project is finding innovative solutions for the fishing industry. The results will bring improvements in energy efficiency that will benefit the entire sector.”
“By monitoring performance of vessels while they fish, we are not only developing more stable and efficient hull designs; we are also building a valuable library of data that will be available for future research work,” said Neil Carter, project manager for the Fisheries and Marine Institute.
The project team is led by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and includes representatives from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, the National Research Council (NRC), the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW).
“Increasing the fuel efficiency of fishing vessels is key to improving the province’s inshore fish harvesting sector,” said Dr. John Quaicoe, dean (pro tempore) of Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. ”This project is important to the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry and Memorial University as it aims to develop a more sustainable industry.”
“Fuel costs are a major burden on our fishing enterprises,” said Earle McCurdy, president of the FFAW. “Enhanced energy efficiency has the potential to reduce costs and improve the bottom line for our fishing fleets, while at the same time improving the environmental sustainability of our fishing industry.”
This project is a continuation of a series of initiatives related to energy efficiency in the province’s fishing industry that has been funded through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. This program is an important component of the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. Of the $6 million allocated to the program since its launch in the spring of 2007, the program has invested approximately $5.8 million in industry-driven projects to date. A total of 128 projects have been funded since the program was created. Investment in the program has leveraged an additional $19.6 million from the industry and its partners. It has generated a total of $25.4 million for fishing industry research and development in the province.
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