Documentary: The Preventable Deaths of NL Fish Harvesters

Commercial fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are dying when they shouldn’t be. Tragedies at sea are largely preventable.

The number of fishers out on the water today isn't what it was in years past, but today's safety standards are much better for those who still make their living in the fisheries. Yet the rate of fishing fatalities isn't going down.

Award-winning journalists Leila Beaudoin and Jenn Thornhill Verma recently reported for The Independent in The fatal truth about commercial fishing .

The story shouldn't and can't end there.

Leila Beaudoin, a trusted journalist many in our province know from her time with NTV, wants to dig further and turn this tragic reality into a documentary film -- alongside award-winning investigative reporter Jenn Thornhill Verma and our team at The Independent.

Leila has spoken with people who have lost family members to the sea. She's interviewed fishing safety experts. Now it's time to find out where the ball is being dropped and answer the question: Why are Newfoundland and Labrador families and communities still living through tragedy after tragedy when their loved ones go to work?

To complete the project, Leila needs to raise $5,000 by Dec. 15, 2024.

Will you help her make this film?

BONUS: Supporters who donate $50 or more to help Leila make her film will automatically be entered into a draw for an original oil painting by artist and Seasplainer co-author Jenn Thornill Verma. Donations of $100 will get you 2 entries into the draw. $150 = 3 entries. (1 entry for every $50 donated.)

"Fox Roost before Fiona" is a 24" x 30" original oil on gallery-wrapped canvas by Jenn Thornhill Verma (Based on a photo by Brent Northcott — used with permission). The retail price is $935.00 + tax.