N.L. fisherman on hunger strike taken from protest site in ambulance

Apr 23, 2017 | 11:30 AM

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A Newfoundland fisherman was hauled off in an ambulance 11 days into his hunger strike in front of the federal fisheries headquarters in St. John’s.

Richard Gillett says he has consumed only water since he set up camp outside the building on April 13 to protest what he says is dire mismanagement of stocks ranging from crab to capelin.

Supporters cheered as parademics carried Gillett, 45, out of his canvas tent Sunday and loaded him into an ambulance.

Gillett, known for his three seasons on the reality TV show “Cold Water Cowboys,” is vice-president of the Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL), a splinter union group seeking certification.