FISH-NL reaches $16K fundraising goal

The breakaway group of fish harvesters hoping to create a new union in Newfoundland and Labrador says it has reached its fundraising goal after just fivedays.

The Federation of Independent Seafood Harvestershas raised $16,000 in itsGoFundMe campaignfrom 135 different donors, FISH-NL head Ryan Cleary said in a news release on Wednesday afternoon.

"We asked for support and we got it," Cleary said in thestatement.

FISH-NLhas saidthe money will be used to purchase advertising, hire staff and manage the end of its membership drive.

"Support continues to pour in from all over Newfoundland and Labrador," Cleary said."The momentum continues to build, and it's fascinating to watch it unfold."

The group's membership drive is set to wrap up before Christmas. If FISH-NL has the signed support of a majority of fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador, a vote will be held bythe province's labour relations board.