Navigational buoys are on this N.L. fisherman’s ‘Christmas wish list’
CBC
Fishermen on both coasts of Newfoundland say navigational buoys have been removed from the water by DFO without proper warning, and it's putting those still on the water at risk.
Jerry Hearn, a fisherman in Petty Harbour, said the buoys in his area were removed last week. It surprised him, as the harbour is still in use because of the ongoing commercial cod fishery.
When he asked DFO when fishermen would have been notified about their removal, he said he was told a post was made online — but he says information should have been relayed to harvesters directly.
"They should notify fishermen to say that their buoys are going to be lifted. Especially since the commercial fishery is still ongoing, and there's six to seven boats out at a time each morning," Hearn told CBC News.
The Canadian Coast Guard told CBC News Tuesday that thousands of seasonal navigational buoys are removed from the water between mid-November and early December to ensure that they can be safely recovered.
Hearn believes that decision should have been delayed due to a change in this year's fishery.
The federal government more than doubled the northern cod quota in June, raising the total allowable catch from 18,000 metric tonnes to 38,000.
Hearn said that has kept boats out longer, and anticipates fishermen will be on the water until sometime after Christmas in order to fill the quota.
"The Coast Guard says 'Safety, safety, safety,' and that's what they're preaching [to] fishermen all the time, to help keep things out of trouble," Hearn said.
"That would be our Christmas wish list, would be to put them buoys back."
Buoys have also been removed in Port au Choix, on Newfoundland's northern peninsula.
Fisherman Rod Cornick said buoys are usually in the area until January, but this year is different without an explanation.
He said the loss of the buoys can make coming into the harbour dangerous, especially for those who don't know the area.
"These buoys that have been taken out of it provide, like, a channel for safe passage," Cornick said.
The wintry weather will continue across the Maritimes to start this week with more snow, gusty winds and another round of very chilly temperatures.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says anyone seeking an independence referendum should not have "gatekeepers," like the courts, standing in their way.
It was a fitting tribute, combining two of the late Dave Stockdale's biggest passions: table tennis, and supporting the local food bank.
Companies involved in the F-35 program are actively lobbying the governments of Canada and Quebec to promote potential economic benefits for the country, including maintenance facilities north of Montreal — but such benefits are only promised to materialize if the government makes good on its full order.
Staff and volunteers at Ingersoll’s main food bank are doing their best to keep up with increased demand but say that demand will grow as the uncertainty over the town's auto assembly plant ripples through the local economy.
The union that represents Air Transat's pilots said on Sunday that it has issued a a 72-hour strike notice that could see pilots striking as early as Wednesday.
Two people are dead after a crash on Highway 400 in Vaughan early Sunday morning, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Alberta lawyers must take Indigenous education course tied to TRC. New legislation could change that
A little more than five years ago, the regulator for Alberta’s lawyers made an announcement: moving forward, all active lawyers in the province would be required to take mandatory Indigenous cultural competency training.
Wildlife rehabilitation group Hope for Wildlife is in the process of getting Nova Scotia's first black bear cub rehabilitation centre up and running by the spring.
Saint John is launching a two-year security program to address resident and business concerns about crime and public safety.
Yao Zhang says she doesn’t have any friends, yet every week, thousands of her 175,000 YouTube subscribers tune in to her channel to listen to her live takes on Chinese current affairs.
Conservationists are raising concerns as the City of Winnipeg considers walking back a development bylaw designed to help save birds from fatal window strikes, less than a year after the rules came into effect.
A Saskatchewan veteran is being considered as a possible recipient of the highest honour in the Canadian Armed Forces.