Workers’ compensation rates in the saltwater fishing industry in Nova Scotia are set to fall for the seventh straight year in 2022.
Premiums have fallen 57 per cent since 2015, creating $12 million in annual savings for the industry, but while lower rates reflect an increased focus on safety and fewer accidents, fatalities are still occurring.
Last week, the captain of the Miss Janet went missing from the fishing boat off southwestern Nova Scotia. His body was recovered off the coast of Yarmouth.
“It’s felt in all parts of the province. If you have a loved one that goes out fishing for a living, that sits with you, it is very impactful. I think that sticks in people’s minds, perhaps a bit more than the successes,” said Matthew Duffy, executive director of Fish Safe Nova Scotia, a non-profit advocacy organization.