After Igor a video from Newfoundland

Hi Folks,

Could you pass the following link on to friends. There will be several more in the series. However this one is important as it shows the storm damage that placed 230 people out of work and did so in less than 24 hours. The building you see was a shrimp processing plant where 230 people worked each year in order to make some sort of a living... which was seasonal at best. This plant unfortunately has a longer and larger history than this loss today.

This place was also once one of the largest fish processing plants in North America. Prior to the reductions in fishing quotas and the virtual elimination of a way of life that took place during the 1990s in Newfoundland, this same fish processing plant once employed over 900 people on a 24/7 basis processing Cod and other ground fish species and supported another several hundred fishermen. It was reduced (or rationalized) to a work force about 1/20 of its former size and recreated as a single species processing facility with only 230 people employed.

Now after the damage that resulted for Hurricane Igor, not even one of the remaining 230 have a job. In less than one day, in just one town, 230 people lost work. This is but one of the long lasting effects that Igor has imprinted in the the hearts, souls and livelihoods of the people that live on the Rock.

All I ask is that you consider forwarding this link, so that others can see how every deeply this act of god has effected hard working people, today and in the long term future. There are many more hardships in many more places of Newfoundland as a result of this storm. All of these are very important and so very sad and some are probably more devastating to the people that experienced first hand the wrath of Igor . This is only one very short video documenting the aftermath and how this storm effected over 230 plus people within hours. There are many,many places in Newfoundland that were adversely effected by Igor. My heart goes out to those people. I and my family got off easy as we weathered through this without any major damage and certainly no loss of life.

To the Family and friends of Mr Allen Duffet who lost his life during Igor, i send my heartfelt and deepest sympathy, and that is not enough measure to the sadness and loss by those close to him.

As hardy stock spawned from some of the first people that faced, endured and overcame the hardships and obstacles presented in helping to grow a brave new world, These people will as Newfoundlanders rise above it and once again play a significant part in creating new life, in a proud nation called Canada.

Have a look and pas it on so that others can give it a view. Thanks

Newfoundland and Aquaculture Training

New aquaculture program to start in August.

I am always on the look out for news relating to Aquaculture. I also have a self admitted fondness for reading about new things or events that demonstrate an educational improvement.

Recently I read a news story in "The coaster Online" and here is what I think.

First off, Its good news that the Keyin College will be offering its first ever Aquaculture program at St. Alban’s Newfoundland, in August 2007. Early indications are that it is comprehensive program.

The press release states " The new program is designed to introduce students to the history of aquaculture, give them an overview of the state of the aquaculture industry and to prepare them for all facets of the industry which is growing rapidly, especially in the Coast of Bays region.""

Heidi Middleton, human resources manger with Cooke Aquaculture said "their hiring practice will give preference to candidates with a background in the industry".

Cooke Aquaculture is a significant stakeholder in the Atlantic Canada Aquaculture industry. The company in recent years, has enlarged its business by expanding into new locations and diversifying its operations.

Heidi goes on to say " A candidate can gain experience in the industry in one of two ways: by obtaining an Aquaculture Technician Certificate through a recognized learning institute like Keyin College or adequate years of hands-on industry experience. These employees will be compensated at a higher starting rate."

She also notes that " many existing Cooke Managers possess an Aquaculture Technician accreditation."

The press release also points out "Once they complete the program students will have the skills to become aquaculture technicians with the opportunity to obtain long-term employment in one of the growing industries in the province. Cooke Aquaculture has invested millions into its operations in the region, as well as companies such as the Barry Group of Companies."

I see this new program as another welcome sign of advancement within Aquaculture Industry, particularly as it relates to my home province. (I am not shy)

Certainly the duration of the program is lengthy enough to provide for a wide range of learning opportunities covering the important aspects of the industry. Experience has thought me that training programs which include a good effort at providing a backgrounder to the history and nature of the industry, combined with the fundamentals of practice, offer more for "both" the students and prospective employers.

Persons that achieve a good working knowledge of the industry while gaining an understanding of the history and of its present day importance as a sustainable food source, are in my opinion "The Class Act", and represent the future of the industry.

I look forward reading future updates of this program and its progress.

News Story Reference: Special To the Coaster June 5 20007

Wild Fishery Processing Concerns In Newfoundland

In what has to be unprecedented stand for a Newfoundland fisheries Minister, Tom Rideout said that Fishery Products International is being investigated for illegally shipping whole unprocessed flounder out of the Province.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to charge the company for sending yellowtail flounder to China for processing, the fisheries minister said Tuesday.

The company didnt obtain the required exemption under the Fish Inspection Act before shipping unprocessed fish out of the province, said Tom Rideout.

Speaking at a rally of Burin fish plant workers, Rideout donned an FFAW cap and said “They broke the law..and they will be charged. We are not going to put up with it.” FPI takes the legal charges very seriously, and the company promised a response. Russ Carrigan, an FPI spokesman, said the company is angered by the minister’s statements.
Companies can get in serious trouble when they run afoul of the law in a volatile political situation. A proven illegal act could weaken FPI’s hand in negotiating with both the federal and provincial authorities concerning processing plant operations in the province.

Plant workers and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union president Earle McCurdy are angry, and are trying to keep jobs at the plants.

"That fish belongs to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, not to a bunch of shareholders that operates under the Chinese flag," said McCurdy.

CBC News Story Link

My Thoughts: Fish processing jobs are important in a Province that has already been hard hit economically due to large scale fishery closures. Many families depend on work within those plants as their near sole source of annual income, much of which is only seasonal employment. Since the fishery closures, the out of province migration of people has increased at a high rate. With many families moving to other parts of the country to seek work. Thus its not hard to see why people become angery when raw fish products are shipped elsewhere for processing.