The Canadian federal government has taken action against a Newfoundland fish processing company for its failure to comply with regulations regarding the disposal of fish waste at sea. Notre Dame Seafoods, operating processing plants in Comfort Cove and Twillingate, faced a significant fine of CAD 115,000 (USD 84,600) for this violation.

Guilty Plea

Notre Dame Seafoods pleaded guilty to the violation, as confirmed in a release issued by the Department of Environment. The company’s actions were found to be in contravention of the conditions outlined in a Canadian permit governing the disposal of waste at sea.

Enforcement officers visited the Comfort Cove plant in May of the previous year, where they observed improper loading of waste, directly conflicting with the stipulations of the permit. Such actions were deemed to be in violation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Legal Consequences

As a result of the violation, Notre Dame Seafoods faced legal consequences in provincial court. The fine will be directed towards the federal government’s environmental damages fund, as outlined in the release.

Notre Dame Seafoods operates processing facilities primarily dealing with crab, pelagics, and groundfish, as stated on their website. However, the company faced challenges in the past year, particularly with its shrimp processing plant in Twillingate.

Shrimp Plant Closure

Due to declining fish stocks, Notre Dame Seafoods was compelled to shut down its shrimp processing plant in Twillingate, impacting approximately 100 workers. This closure underscores the broader challenges faced by seafood processing industries amid fluctuating environmental conditions and regulatory pressures.