Fish Harvesters Forced the Canadian Government To Delay Its New Budget. Here’s How We Got There

Hundreds of fish harvesters, including a significant number far outside of St. John’s, got together at the Confederation Building in the early morning with a plan to force the Canadian government to delay the new budget speech. Fish harvesters did the same for the first time and tried to create pressure on the government to listen to them.

The regular day of business activities at the Confederation Building in St. John’s on Wednesday turned into an unusual day along with its financial activities as fish harvesters gathered there to force Finance Minister Siobhan Coady to listen to them.

The closing of the cod fishery in 1992 witnessed clashes, fights and heated exchanges for a long between fish harvesters and the then politicians. It has become an iconic moment and an example to the Canadian government, especially to federal fisheries minister John Crosbie and fishermen who were on a wharf in Bay Bulls.

Today, the crab fishery is the main source of income for those Canadians who retain the centuries-old tradition of earning their livelihoods from the ocean. However, the time has changed and the fishery and its trend and concept have changed accordingly.

Harvesters expressed their concerns and wanted more freedom to earn their livelihood from the ocean. They wanted to be eligible to sell their catches- fleshes and crabs or they liked to have any buyer to get their catches.

The fact is that it is a very complex issue and a heavily regulated industry needs numerous parties for delivery and strong supply chains. Therefore, old tradition has no significant room for it. The system has developed and evolved over the years, keeping pace with the time and increasing needs. To give the seafood business sustainable growth, industrialization is highly needed. However, it is also important to ensure the needs and sources of earning livelihoods in rural areas.