HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, August 15, 2024 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement reiterating support of the management decision made by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on the Commercial Northern Cod Fishery:
“The reopening of the commercial cod fishery after a decades long moratorium is welcome news for NCC and our communities. The significance of DFO Minister Lebouthillier’s decision to provide an allocation to NCC and the 2J fleet that consists of many of our members, cannot be overstated. This means that more of the resources off the shores of NunatuKavut will be harvested, landed, and processed in our territory and in Labrador.
Bringing back the cod fishery has already been extremely meaningful for our communities. Black Tickle is an iconic example. It is once again becoming a center for this fishery.
NCC continues to pursue the self-governance of cod fishery that feeds our families, ensures the livelihood of our fishers and people, and sustains our communities. Through the rights and recognition process with Canada, the NCC will continue to advance the recognition of our Inuit rights and Treaty rights, and the interests and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit.”
The Food, Fish, and Allied Workers (FFAW) Union has launched an application in Federal Court, seeking an injunction to halt the current northern cod fishery and to review the Minister’s decision. As the NCC’s rights and interests are directly impacted, the NCC has written to legal counsel for the FFAW to be added as a party to the litigation.
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Media Contact
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer, NCC
T: 709-280-5965