Active Fishermen and Investors - are your interests different?

Problem: Active fishermen are not represented. Investors are represented - who may have different goals than active fishermen.

Solutions:

• Seafood Alliance purports to represent 95% of license holders. It represents the interests of investors not active fishermen. Active fish harvesters need a similar organization.

• The Area Harvest Committees and the CSAB represent license holders – as all license holders have a vote. Active fishermen could be out-voted. Active fishers need one or more salmon organizations to represent their interests.

• Herring – processors dominate the advisory process. Fishermen need to take control

• Halibut – large quota holders dominate representation process. Would owner-operator make a difference?

• Prawns – all active prawn fishermen belong to prawn organization. One organization represents all prawners so can speak with one voice after internal discussions.

• Crabs –active license owners only belong to Area A

• Unity between fishermen or fishermen’s associations is necessary

• Can’t agree on everything but can on many things

• Work together on identified issues

• Fishermen structure their organizations – collect dues/funds for operations.