FishNL protests not over: Cleary
Gillett’s wife calls ambulance following 11-day hunger strike
Richard Gillett has been taken to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital following his hunger strike outside the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, White Hills in St. John’s. He was picked up by paramedics early Sunday afternoon after his wife called out of concern for his health.
Gillett, who has Type 2 diabetes and a heart condition, was stretchered out by paramedics after Joyce Gillett called emergency services. The former Cold Water Cowboy has subsisted on a water-only diet since April 13.
Ryan Cleary, the president of FISH-NL, said that the hunger strike took a physical toll on Gillett and that he was originally brought to the emergency ward.
Cleary said he is praying for Gillett’s recovery.
“Richard’s hunger strike may have ended but the protests from fish harvesters are not over,” he said over the phone. “If anything, this has strengthened their resolve to see changes.”
Gillett, the vice-president of FISH-NL and a fisherman, had been living in a tent in front of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) building for the last 11 days.
A crowd of supporters, mostly fishermen, cheered and clapped as Gillett was removed from his tent by paramedics. Gillett’s condition had been deteriorating throughout the hunger strike.
On Friday, Gillett was fatigued and spoke to reporters from his cot.
He had launched his hunger strike in hopes of getting Dominic Le
Blanc, the federal minister of fisheries, to review the relationship between fishery unions in the province and the DFO.
Gillett also demanded a review of the science and management of all provincial fish stocks.
Leblanc and Gillett spoke Thursday night and had plans to talk again.
Cleary said there needs to be progress.
“Things have got to change. The Canadian government should be ashamed of the state of the fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said. “It has been encouraging that representatives from the DFO have said they recognize that things can’t stay as they are.”