Fish Harvester Representation

Problem: Fishermen are not united – there are few strong fish harvester organizations left.

Solutions:

• Provincially mandated fishermen’s organizations

• Different Atlantic provinces have different legislation mandating fish harvesters organizations

• BC's government should create legislation that will ensure all harvesters belong to one organization or another

• Fishermen need to compare other Provinces legislation and choose a model best for BC

• Must benefit active commercial fishermen not license investors (unless they are actively fishing)

• Discussion has to be led by Province

• Everyone has to pay into an organization – no freeloaders

• Strengthen other organizations also could strengthen Union

• Many fishermen are starting to feel that they need unity and so they need to have an organization to represent them.

• Seafood Alliance says they represent 95% of license holders but they mostly represent the positions of CFC and other large licence/quota investors

• CSAB is looking at the conservation stamp and asking DFO/ to remit it to the CSAB.

• Provincially mandated active fishermen organizations will mean that active fish harvesters will not be dominated by investors

• If all fishermen pay to organizations, they can afford to pay for a biologist

• How do we engage indigenous fishermen?