Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 27, 2012

Provincial Workshop to Explore Fishing Vessel Design, Efficiency and Safety

Fishing industry stakeholders from throughout the province will participate in a workshop on fishing vessel design in Gander tomorrow (Wednesday, November 28). The workshop will be facilitated by the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board. It is specific to the under-40-foot vessel sector and is made possible through a contribution of approximately $20,000 from the Provincial Government.

“The safety and comfort of crew members aboard fishing vessels is a greater consideration today than it has been in the past,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “In that regard, the industry continues to improve the working environment for crew members through new vessel designs. Injuries and fatalities have been substantially reduced but work continues to further lessen these occurrences. The workshop in the Town of Gander this week will certainly advance this work.”

The designs of the fishing vessels used in the province vary, based on resource availability (species and quantity), type of fishing gear used, location of fishing grounds, length of fishing trips, regulatory requirements, and other factors.

There are approximately 3,800 enterprises in the harvesting sector of the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry, employing almost 11,000 professional fish harvesters. The enterprises consist of 2,972 (78 per cent) inshore vessels, less than 40 feet in length, and 861 (22 per cent) nearshore vessels, over 40 feet in length.

“The development of safe and efficient vessels is critical to the future viability of our province’s inshore fishing industry,” said Mark Dolomount, Executive Director of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board. “To that end, the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board is pleased and encouraged that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is hosting this workshop and seeking input from harvesters in the under 40-foot class on matters related to fishing vessel design.”

The workshop will include participants from the harvesting sector, Fish, Food and Allied Workers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the National Research Council, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the Marine Institute. Sessions will focus on the need for new vessel design and construction; the key influencing factors in vessel design, such as safety, efficiency, and resource availability; the types of designs needed; the role of government and other organizations; and the best course of action for the future relating to vessel design projects.

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2012 11 27                                11:50 a.m.