Pardy Urges Minister Thompson to Reopen Commercial Mackerel Fishery

St. John’s, NL (August 14, 2025) – Craig Pardy, Shadow Minister for Fisheries and MHA for Bonavista, is today calling on Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, as a fellow Newfoundlander and Labradorian — to do the right thing and reopen the commercial mackerel fishery.

Pardy said he has heard from local fish harvesters who have observed large volumes of mackerel offshore — clear evidence that the species is available in significant numbers. Despite that, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans under Minister Thompson’s watch continues to keep the commercial mackerel fishery closed.

“Local fish harvesters know what they’re seeing,” said Pardy. “They’re on the water every day. They know the resource, and they’re telling us: the mackerel are here. It’s frustrating to them — and understandably so — that DFO refuses to act on what’s plainly in front of us.”

Pardy says reopening the mackerel fishery would bring significant economic benefits to the province through boosting incomes for fish harvesters, creating processing work for fish producers and plant workers, and injecting new revenue into rural economies that rely on the fishery to thrive.

“This isn’t just about one species — this is about supporting the livelihoods of people in our coastal communities,” said Pardy. “A reopened mackerel fishery means jobs, economic activity, and renewed confidence in our province’s fishing industry.”

Pardy is urging Minister Thompson to listen to the concerns of her fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and act in their best interest.

“As a Newfoundlander and Labradorian herself, Minister Thompson knows the importance of the fishery to our province. I’m calling on her to reopen this fishery.”

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