The Union Forum - July-Aug 2008 - Fishermen, Food and Allied Workers

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Wetting a line Harvesters kept close watch on cable-laying project in sensitive marine area It was a plan that, at its outset, appeared to be ready to proceed in Trinity Bay without a whole lot of input or guidance by harvesters. But in the end, after the FFAW stepped in, those same harvesters were able to monitor — first-hand — the laying of the Tele-Greenland sub-sea fibre-optic cable. “We had the experience from last year with the Persona cable on the south coast, so we learned from that about the need to have field workers in place and people on the boat through the cable-laying process,” says the FFAW’s secretary-treasurer David Decker. “The time we were were told they doing it was right in the peak of the fishing season, so we wanted to make sure, in terms of interaction, there was no interference with harvesters and the cable-laying. “ Decker says the company agreed to hire local fishing boats and the fisheries liaison people to make sure the process went ahead with minimal conflict in the sensitive marine area. “We had our people there, we had a fishing vessel accompanying the 30 July/August 2008 The Union Forum JAMIE BAKER The Union Forum cable-laying ship and plotting the course ahead,” he says. According to information from the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the cable is part of Tele-Greenland’s $140million Greenland Connect project geared to improve telecom services in Greenland. The physical cable itself is nearly 5,000 kilometres long, running from Greenland to Milton in Trinity Bay and was laid mostly by the Maersk Responder with support from the Blue Castor. Given that the cable is being laid in Trinity Bay in the summer, Decker says it was crucial that harvesters have a first-hand say in how the project would be carried out. “It’s absolutely imperative to have fishermen involved. This is coming in on their fishing grounds, so their knowledge is important in making sure the conflict is minimized,” Decker says. A federal map, taken from the environmental assessment prepared by LGL Ltd., showing the Smith Sound route for the Tele-Greenland subsea fibre-optic cable. One of the key concerns was the possibility of having fishing gear damaged as a result of the cable-laying activity. As of late July, at least one instance of fishing gear being damaged had been reported, but Decker said the system that was put in place worked to alleviate the problem. “There was some gear loss that our people identified and our people got in contact with the harvesters and in contact with Tele-Greenland in terms of compensation,” he says. “The process if gear got caught or damaged, was to basically take the numbers on the gear to identify the owner and then we’d look to the company to compensate the fishermen for lost gear.” In addition to providing security for fishing gear, Decker said the company will also contribute to science programs for harvesters in the region. “They understand the interference that can be created for fishermen by a project like this, so they are also putting money into a crab and cod science programs in Trinity Bay,” he says. SSeeee SSUUBBSSEEAA,, ppaaggee 3311
The science of cable-laying It’s a major telecommunications project that includes burying an undersea cable that’s runs right through the heart of one of the province’s best-known codfish grounds at Smith Sound. With that in mind, The Union Forum (TUF) contacted scientists with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to talk about the impact of the Tele-Greenland project on sensitive marine areas and harvester activity in Trinity Bay. TUF: What effect will this cable-laying project have on the area’s sensitive marine environments? DFO: The TELE-Greenland cable consists of one cable of relatively small diameter (less than five centimetres). The method used to lay the TELE-Greenland cable will depend on water depth. For water less than 20-metres deep the cable will be surface laid. There are eel grass beds located near Milton, where the cable comes ashore, however no significant impacts are expected. In water greater than 20-metres deep the cable will be buried with a trenchless plough in a relatively benign manner. While more research is always helpful, hundreds of cables have been laid in Newfoundland and Labrador waters and there is no evidence of any significant impacts to date from past cable laying activities. TUF: This cable will go right through Smith Sound — is this kind of work a concern for cod stocks? DFO: DFO was concerned that cable laying work in Smith Sound from February to late May could be disruptive to migration behavior of this population. This concern was mitigated by having the work completed in late spring to early summer while the over wintering stock has moved out of Smith Sound. TUF: Was the possible effect on harvesting activity assessed? A: Installation of a submarine communications cable could potentially disrupt fishing activity for a short period if the cable were being laid over fishing grounds at the height of a fishing season. Given the timing of this project, and the level of fishing activity, there would have been minimal, if any, disruption to fisheries in the area. TUF: What involvement has DFO had in gearing up for this project? A: DFO was informed of this project via the Federal Coordination Regulation process pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. DFO reviewed the project for Cable projects in this province are not new, but they have, at times come with varying degrees of controversy — most notable, of course, was the highly controversial deal made by the provincial government with Persona (now Eastlink Communications), Rogers and MTS Allstream to lay fibre-optic cable between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The provincial government came under heavy criticism at the time the previous deal became public due largely to the fact that the premier had strong past business connections with many of the proponents involved in the arrangement, and the fact that some of those involved had not registered as Map taken from the environmental assessment prepared by LGL Ltd., showing fishing areas through which the the Tele-Greenland subsea fibre-optic cable is passing. potential impacts on fish habitat, fishery conflicts, species at risk concerns, and potential impacts on the Smith Sound cod stock. DFO also hosted a coordination and information sharing meeting with other federal departments and agencies and the consultants completing the environmental assessment for the project. TUF: What, if any, safeguards are in place to make sure ecosystem/habitat concerns are addressed during and after the cable laying? A: As part of the environmental assessment process, DFO provided expert advice to the company including recommendations on mitigative measures to protect fish and fish habitat during all phases of the project. TUF: Given the age we live in, it is likely we will see more sub-sea cables in the future — are we ready to deal with that and if so, how? A: Fisheries and Oceans Canada though its programs and policies is equipped to handle future development proposals that have the potential to impact upon fish and fish habitat. Subsea cable projects not new to province lobbyists under provincial legislation. Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Trevor Taylor has said that the government’s decision to push ahead with that plan actually played a role in the TELE-Greenland project coming to Newfoundland. forum@ffaw.nfld.net July/August 2008 The Union Forum 31
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Page 6 and 7: Hargrove’s support was ‘unwaver
Page 8 and 9: Every cent counts Fish price increa
Page 11 and 12: Above: George Feltham guides a dipn
Page 13 and 14: Crew at work aboard the Rowan’s R
Page 15 and 16: Going GREEN on the deep BLUE? Propo
Page 17 and 18: Every inch a sailor Fishing Skipper
Page 19 and 20: Auction slated to return for fall f
Page 21 and 22: Standing at the Adjusting older pla
Page 23 and 24: Scenes from the road Photos by Jami
Page 25 and 26: Challenging times for plantworkers
Page 27 and 28: Dale Courtney-Pevie Annie Hickey Ra
Page 29 and 30: Union fights to keep EI pilot proje
Page 31: Plan has moved in right direction d
Page 35 and 36: Quality control Fast actions result
Page 37 and 38: It’s that time of year children e
Page 39 and 40: Another year at the office From the
Page 41 and 42: BUZZ LOOKS BACK ABOVE: Hargrove (fa

The Union Forum - July-Aug 2008 - Fishermen, Food and Allied Workers

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