HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, June 26, 2024 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement on the recent management decision made by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on the Commercial Northern Cod Fishery:
“This is a historic day. The reopening of the commercial cod fishery is incredible news. We applaud DFO Minister Diane Lebouthillier for making this decision and recognizing the importance of NunatuKavut Inuit participation in the fishery. This is particularly so as the principal Indigenous harvesters of this resource in Labrador. This, along with a significant quota for our 2J fishers, is an excellent start to the return of this commercial fishery. It means that more of the resources off the shores of NunatuKavut will be harvested, landed and processed in our territory and in Labrador.
NCC has continually pushed for a fair and principled approach to allocations that recognizes our adjacency, Indigenous rights, cultural attachment and our great economic need. We thank Minister Lebouthillier for responding to this approach, as well as the unique circumstances facing 2J fishers. We also acknowledge the unwavering efforts of Labrador Member of Parliament Yvonne Jones who was instrumental in making sure our fishers, our communities and our Indigenous participation were dutifully considered in the allocations set for the reopened commercial cod fishery.
While we will be in touch with DFO to get more details on the implementation surrounding the decision, these northern cod quotas are a very positive step in the right direction for the revitalization of the commercial cod fishery in NunatuKavut. It will also provide direct benefit to many NunatuKavut Inuit families and communities from a resource that has sustained us for centuries. And it offers a promising future for the Labrador fishery overall.
NCC will continue to work with DFO to pursue the self-management of our fishery that feeds our families, ensures the livelihood of our fishers and people and sustains our communities. We also look forward to continuing negotiations with Canada through our rights and recognition process to advance the rights, interests and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit.”
Media Contact
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer, NCC
T: 709-280-5965
E: communications@nunatukavut.ca
Photo credit: Shirley Moores. Webber and Elson crew hauling cod trap Spotted Island, Labrador. August 1989.