July 2 marked the 10th anniversary of the moratorium imposed on the Newfoundland cod fishery, caused by its virtual collapse – and Newfoundlanders commemorated the date with the unveiling of a plaque in St. John’s.
The text reads: “For nearly 500 years the fishery sustained, employed, and defined the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Generations of coastal people built a fishing society along thousands of kilometres of rugged coastline. On July 2, 1992, five centuries of fishing activity was abruptly halted. The northern cod moratorium altered the fabric of our province – economically, socially and culturally. Yet the people of our fishery endured. We honour their strength, determination and perseverance.”
Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union and one of those present at the unveiling, remembers the day vividly.
“It was the day we could no longer fish off Cape St. Mary’s,” he said. “Part of our identity was taken away that day. It’s fitting that there be a permanent reminder and recognition of the resilience of the people of our province.”
Taking note of the province’s current struggle to regulate foreign fishing on the Grand banks, McCurdy said, “It’s long past time for the minister to stop following the script of the Department of Foreign Affairs and take clear and decisive action showing that Canada is not willing to see fleets from other countries retreating to their destructive activities of the 1980s.”
Another participant in the plaque ceremony was provincial Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Gerry Reid.
“The collapse of the groundfish fishery was an event that changed our province’s history, and a moment which most of us will never forget,” said Reid, “The fishery is a fundamental part of our way of life, and the moratorium forever changed the dynamic of the industry. Ten years later, we still do not have all of the answers, however, we have worked very hard to diversify and redefine the fishery. Our fishery today continues to be a major contributor to the provincial economy, however we cannot forget those people whose lives were forever changed by the moratorium. The plaque we have unveiled honours those individuals and will serve as a reminder for years to come.”
McCurdy noted that the fishery is a renewable resource and added, “If managed properly, our fish resources can continue to provide work long after the last drop of oil is squeezed off the Grand Banks and the last ounce of nickel is mined from Voisey’s Bay.” ?
– Bob Gustafson