ABOUT THE NL-FHSA
The Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Harvesting Safety Association (NL-FHSA) Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization without capital share. The association was incorporated in 2011 and became operational in 2012 to address workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in one of the world's most dangerous occupations—commercial fishing. It is industry-driven, leading the promotion of safety education and awareness initiatives in the fish harvesting industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. The overall goal of the NL-FHSA is to improve the health and safety of fish harvesters and to save lives at sea. There is nothing more important to fish harvesters than returning home safely to their loved ones, their friends, and their communities.
MANDATE
To help reach the goal of reducing the human and financial costs of workplace incidents, injuries, and fatalities in the fish harvesting industry, the NL-FHSA has a mandate to:
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Lead the fish harvesting sector in the promotion and development of a positive industry-wide safety culture
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Create added value for harvesters through the identification and coordination of timely, accessible, affordable, and relevant safety education and resources
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Promote best practices for safety on board fishing vessels through education and awareness initiatives
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Support and promote research on fishing industry safety
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Provide advice to the provincial and federal levels of government on health and safety issues in the fishing industry
VISION
The vision of the NL-FHSA is a fish harvesting industry in which the necessary skills, knowledge, technology, commitment, and support, enable professional fish harvesters to work and return home safely and successfully without injury, illness, or fatality.
MISSION
The NL-FHSA leads the fish harvesting sector in the promotion and development of a positive industry-wide safety culture and creates added value for members through the certification and coordination of relevant, accessible, timely, and cost-effective safety education and resources.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The NL-FHSA consists of 15 board members whose appointments are recommended by their stakeholder groups.
Four members of the board are ex-officio members.
CHAIRPERSON
David Decker
Fish Food and Allied Workers Union/Unifor
(FFAW-Unifor)
VICE CHAIR
Mark Dolomount
Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board
(PFHCB)
CREW MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
Vacant
65' Vessels and Above
CREW MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
Mike Noonan
Vessels Over 40' and Under 65'
CREW MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
Nancy Bowers
Vessels Under 40'
INDIGENOUS FISHERS
Brian Dicks
Qalipu First Nation
OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE
Wade Short
65' Vessels and Above
OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE
Ivan Lear
Vessels Over 40' and Under 65'
OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE
Jack Greenham
Vessels Under 40'
PROCESSING SECTOR
Karen Decker (1)
Fogo Island Cooperative Limited
Vacant (2)
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Andrew Pike
Sector Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council
Bill Hynd
Sector Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour
Charles Coady
WorkplaceNL
Derrick Lockyer
Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In addition to the Board of Directors, the NL-FHSA is supported by an Advisory Committee whose members represent a number of government agencies at the federal and provincial levels, as well as non-governmental stakeholders. The Advisory Committee plays an important role in the governance of fishing safety as its members provide observations and feedback about health and safety issues in the industry as well as recommendations for the promotion of best practices regarding safety on board fishing vessels.
Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-UNIFOR)
Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board (PFHCB)
Transport Canada
Canadian Coast Guard
Department of Digital Government & Service NL, Occupational Health & Safety Division
SafetyNet
WorkplaceNL
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour
Memorial University - Marine Institute
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)