Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

The Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board was established in 1997, under the Professional Fish Harvesters Act (the Act) under the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture (the Minister). The PFHCB is a non-profit organization, created by and operating for the benefit of all Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters. The objectives of the PFHCB are to promote the interest of fish harvesters as a professional group; to operate and maintain a fish harvester registration system; to develop, evaluate, and recommend courses under the professionalization program; to be responsible for defining the standards for professionalization; to issue certificates of accreditation to qualifying fish harvesters; and to develop, maintain, and monitor compliance of a Code of Ethics. For additional information on the PFHCB, please visit www.pfhcb.com.

Structure:

The Act states that the 15-member board appointed by the minister shall be comprised of: seven representatives of the organization that has been recognized by the Labour Relations Board as representing fish harvesting in collective bargaining such as the Fish, Food, and Allied Workers (FFAW); one representative from a registered fisheries co-operative; a representative of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture; a representative from the provincial government department responsible for post-secondary education; two representatives from the federal government, at least one of whom shall be from the federal government department responsible for fisheries; a representative appointed to represent Indigenous fish harvesters in the province; a representative of a post-secondary education training institution; and a representative-at-large chosen by the Minister.

The appointed members of the Board shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and a secretary, from the non-government members to form an Executive Committee along with an additional member to be elected by the members to serve on the Executive Committee At-large and the Executive Director. The chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary cannot be representatives of a department of the Provincial Government or of the Government of Canada.

Competency Profile:

Member At-large

The Member At-large should possess the following core competencies:

• Knowledge of the commercial fish harvesting industry and the importance to the rural economy (asset);
• Knowledge of work place safety
• Understanding of the Newfoundland and Labrador inshore fishing industry and/or fishery related issues; and
• No current direct or indirect involvement with a fish harvesting company.

Member to represent Indigenous Issues

The member to represent Indigenous issues should possess the following core competencies:

• Knowledge of the commercial fish harvesting industry and the importance to the rural economy (asset)
• Knowledge of fish harvesting safety
• Understanding of the Indigenous inshore fishing industry and/or fishery related issues
• Knowledge of Indigenous issues, including those of Indigenous fish harvesters;
• Knowledge of Indigenous Governments, organizations, and communities in the province;
• Knowledge of Indigenous participation in the fishery.

Qualifications:

All members of the PFHCB should possess:

• high ethical standards and integrity;
• appreciation of the responsibilities to the public;
• flexible, responsive and willing to consider others’ opinions;
• ability to listen and work as a team member;
• strong reasoning skills;
• an understanding of obligations under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and
• objectivity.

Time Commitments:

Members of the PFHCB should be available to meet two times per year but may occasionally be called to meet as needed. Executive Committee members generally meet monthly.

Term:

Members are appointed for a term of up to three years, are eligible for reappointment, and can continue to serve after the expiry of their term until reappointed or replaced.