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.

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MANDATE

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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
   

• Create added value for harvesters through the identification and coordination of timely, accessible, affordable, and relevant safety education and resources
   

• Promote best practices for safety on board fishing vessels through education and awareness initiatives
   

• Support and promote research on fishing industry safety
   

• Provide advice to the provincial and federal levels of government on health and safety issues in the fishing industry

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VISION

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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.

 

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MISSION

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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.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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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.

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CHAIRPERSON 

David Decker

(Fish Food and Allied Workers Union/Unifor)

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VICE CHAIR

Mark Dolomount

(Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board)

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CREWMEMBER REPRESENTATIVE

Johan Joenson

(FFAW/Unifor Offshore Representative)

65' Vessels and Above

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CREWMEMBER REPRESENTATIVE

Mike Noonan

Vessels Over 40' and Under 65'

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CREWMEMBER REPRESENTATIVE

Nancy Bowers

Vessels Under 40'

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INDIGENOUS FISHERS

Brian Dicks

Qalipu First Nation

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OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE

Wade Short

65' Vessels and Above

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OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE

Ivan Lear

Vessels Over 40' and Under 65'

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OWNER/OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE

Jack Greenham

Vessels Under 40'

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PROCESSING SECTOR

Karen Decker (1)

Fogo Island Cooperative Limited

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Vacant (1)

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EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Andrew Pike

(Sector Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council)

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Travis Perry

(Sector Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour)

 

Charles Coady

(WorkplaceNL)

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Derrick Lockyer

(Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture)

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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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.

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 ​Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-UNIFOR)

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Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board (PFHCB)

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Transport Canada

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Canadian Coast Guard

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Department of Digital Government & Service NL, Occupational Health & Safety Division

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SafetyNet

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WorkplaceNL

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada

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Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council

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Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

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Memorial University - Marine Institute

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Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)