Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters Vol. 2, Issue 1 Electronic Newsletter April, 2006 Inside this Issue General Assembly attracts fishermen nationwide Fair treatment needed for B.C. fishermen Newfoundland fisheries minister Tom Rideout backs independent fishermen Panels and Workshops Council honours outstanding contributors to fishery On the Horizon Assembly attendees The largest-ever Canadian fishermen s planning session Vancouver General Assembly calls for action on licensing, training, recognition of fishermen The third General Assembly of the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters, held February 7-8 in Vancouver, British Columbia, attracted some 140 delegates, guests, and observers from Canada and abroad. Since it began, the Council has had a double mandate, partly in human resources and training, and partly in policy issues of common concern, says executive director John Sutcliffe. Now we see them coming together. For example, fisheries licensing and recognition of professional, independent fishermen are closely linked. And there s a broadening consensus and solidarity among organizations. Fishermen and their organizations are taking on more and more responsibilities, as reflected in the packed agenda. A one-day National Conference on Human Resources in the Fish Harvesting Industry preceded the General Assembly. The HR recommendations from that session influenced the final Action Plan. (Continued on page 2) To subscribe to our E-Newsletter go to: www.ccpfh-ccpp.org/e_list.aspx?cs=newsletter To be removed from our E-Newsletter mailing list please email us at: fish@ccpfh-ccpp.org 102 Bank Street, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5N4, CANADATel: (613) 235-3474 Fax: (613) 231-4313 E-mail: fish@ccpfh-ccpp.org 1
Key recommendations for action include the following: Costs of fishing: o Pursue capital-gains tax exemption, expanded loanboard and credit programs, and a freeze on DFO licencefee increases. o Launch information campaign on TC s proposed regulation changes; o Co-ordinate national response to TC proposals; o Seek funding for better safety education and training; o Develop practical, easy-touse training tools. Intergenerational transfer of licences and enterprises: o o Launch national campaign to promote owner-operator and fleet-separation policies; Seek loan-fund guarantees and other financial measures as noted above. Planning the Future of Fleets: o Pursue national solution with integrated approach; o Set up a joint commission or task force between CCPFH and DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) on the issue; o Seek pension plan for fishermen and fleet rightsizing. Health and Safety: o Improve communications with DFO regarding fishing rules, vessel size rules, and safety considerations; o Set up regular consultations on health and safety with Transport Canada (TC), DFO, harvester groups; A working session at the General Assembly Council Chair calls for equal treatment for B.C. fishermen Earle McCurdy, Chair of the CCPFH and President of the Fish Food and Allied Workers, Newfoundland, told media at the General Assembly that independent commercial fishermen in B.C. were on the brink of extinction. Earle drew cheers from delegates with his call for fair treatment for B.C. fishermen and all fishermen. (Continued on page 3) 2
Excerpts: On the Atlantic coast, the fleet separation and owner-operator policies are the keys to the independent fishermen s survival. The CCPFH has worked hard to preserve those rules against pressures that would weaken them. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans set up a task force under the title of Preserving the Independence of Inshore Fleets in Canada s Atlantic Fishery, and that process is showing good results with the proposals brought forward in late 2005 by John Hanlon. But what about preserving the independence of Pacific fishermen? We need fairness and consistency across regions. Why are black-cod and other quota-holders able to make money off the fishery without ever getting their hands dirty? The fishery shouldn t be run like that, shouldn t be controlled by carpetbaggers. Some people see efficiency as the fewest possible fish harvesters. But why not use the resources Nature gave us to provide a reasonable number of jobs? The worshippers of false efficiency and the non-fishing holders of quotas are threatening coastal communities. They have the mentality that everything is for sale, including our basic rights as fishermen. The new Minister of Fisheries and Oceans should make clear that fishing rights are the heritage of coastal people including First Nations. And he should implement policies to protect independent fishermen from coast to coast to coast. Earle McCurdy, President of the CCPFH, chaired the plenary sessions at the General Assembly. Newfoundland fisheries minister backs independent fishermen, professionalization Tom Rideout, Newfoundland and Labrador s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and a former Premier of the province, won strong applause from the General Assembly with his endorsement of independent fishermen. Although we have no transcription of his speech, here are excerpts from his prepared text. This organization is certainly an important one on the national stage in addressing the issues and concerns currently facing the fish harvesting sector. [Premier Danny Williams] has identified the fishery as the top priority for our government in the coming year. (Continued on page 4) 3
We continue to support professionalization as a long-term approach to increased self-reliance among fish harvesters. We also support it as a means to build the skills and knowledge necessary for safe participation in the fishery, as well as conservation and comanagement of fisheries resources. Our government believes the inshore fish harvesting sector must remain independent. We continue to support the Fleet Separation Policy and the Owner- Operator policy. We agree that measures are necessary to strengthen them. Another priority for our government is fishing vessel safety. It is incumbent upon us all to work together to promote a culture of safety in the industry. We recognize that an early retirement plan for fish harvesters and plant workers is vital in the rationalization of our province s fishing industry and we plan to actively address this matter with the new federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Human Resources Conference feeds into Action Plan Setting a New Course, the Council s second and final phase of its humanresources sector study, released last August, laid out the many humanresources challenges ahead for the fishing occupation. To address these issues, the Council launched a national consultation process last autumn. Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador addressed the General Assembly. We are prepared to join with industry in pursuing DFO to adopt suitable measures to uphold and fully enforce these policies, to remove some existing impediments to fleet rationalization such as taxation issues and trust agreements. The Sector Study and the consultation process provided much of the raw material for the National Conference on Human Resources in the Fish Harvesting Industry, held February 6, one day before the full General Assembly. Building on the findings of the sector study and the consultation process, the Conference focused on developing strategic directions to guide the Council in its human-resources work. (Continued on page 5) 4
Conference delegates proposed directions to provide more effective training, recognize fishermen s skills and experience, and keep the fishery in the hands of independents. The resulting Human Resources Plan helped shape the Assembly s overall Action Plan. Delegates also reviewed the current situation for training and professional status in different regions. Newfoundland and Quebec remain in the lead for giving professional recognition to experienced fishermen and training to new entrants. Elsewhere, fishermen s representatives are working their way around various obstacles. Future newsletters will outline progress in different areas. other daily papers, and fishing magazines. Kevin Stringer, DFO s Director General of Resource Management, called attention to the significance of the meeting, and said he had made the Sector Study of the fishing occupation required reading for his staff. Other governmental participants included the Hon. Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador, and John Hanlon, DFO, Director, Resource Management, a key official in DFO s project to protect independent fishermen. Larry Dupuis, Shirley Dyck and Gordon Chow represented Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. Federal officials also attended from Transport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Service Canada s B.C. and Yukon Region. Provincial attendees came from New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Discussions took place at every level, informally in corridors and coffee breaks, and more formally in workshops and panels. Delegates at the National Conference on Human Resources in the Fish Harvesting Industry. Panels, workshops debate issues at General Assembly With participation from across Canada, the General Assembly attracted media coverage from the Vancouver Sun, Workshop 1, Sustaining Viable Fisheries in the Face of Rising Costs, featured panelists Ronnie Heighton of the Gulf Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board, Dave Decker of the Fishermen Food and Allied Workers (FFAW), and Gabrielle Landry of the Féderation des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec (FPSHQ). John Hanlon of DFO spoke at the second workshop, Tools to Support New Entrants and Retiring Fish Harvesters. The third workshop, Planning the Future of our Owner-Operator Fleets, had panelists Bill (Continued on page 6) 5
Broderick of the FFAW, Ronnie Cormier of the Maritime Fishermen s Union (MFU), and Dan Edwards of the West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board. For the Health and Safety Panel, speakers included Victor Santos Pedros of Transport Canada, Bruce Logan of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers (UFAWU), Bill Broderick and George Awards recognize outstanding contributors to fishery In recognition of their dedication and achievements on behalf of fishermen, the General Assembly presented commemorative plaques to the following recipients. Rory McLellan, former Managing Director of of the P.E.I. Fishermen s Association, former CCPFH Board member; Jean Saint-Cyr, editor of L Acadie nouvelle, former Director General of the Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionels (FRAPP), former CCPFH Board member; Panel discussions covered the waterfront, bringing together fishermen and other experts. Feltham of the FFAW, and Dolly Garza of the Alaska Marine Safety Association. And Bill Broderick of the FFAW presented the Fish Harvesters Human Resources Strategic Plan, the result of the Human Resources Conference on February 7. For the final panel, Sustaining the Independent Fishery for a New Generation, speakers included Rick Williams, Ian Matheson of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Rosemary Ommer of the Coasts Under Stress Project at the University of Victoria, Pierre-George Dachicourt of the Comité national des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins (CNPMEM), France; and Eric Tamm, Ecotrust Canada. Participants then reviewed the Strategic Priorities for the Coming Three Years, reflected in the Action Plan. Christine Hunt, Native Brotherhood, former Board member of the CCPFH; Dennis Brown, fisheries activist, former adviser to the Premier of British Columbia, and author of Salmon Wars, the Battle for the West Coast Salmon Fishery; Daniel Bernier, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Environment Canada, former Executive Director of the CCPFH. Look for our next issue to be published in June2006!! 6
On a sadder note, well-known fisherman Glenn Arkko, who had recently been elected vice-president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, died at sea in March. Glenn was widely respected in the fishery, and active on behalf of fishermen. The industry will be poorer for his passing. Photo Gallery On the Horizon Future newsletters will outline progress towards training, certification, and professional recognition in different regions. Health and Safety The CCPFH is seeking innovative ways to cope with proposed Transport Canada regulations. CMAC (Canadian Marine Advisory Council) meeting coming up May 1-4. 7
Participants at the General Assembly As a federation of organizations, the CCPFH represents most independent fishermen across Canada. Some of the participants at the Human-Resources Conference and General Assembly, both CCPFH members and others: From British Columbia: Area G Troll Fishery Association; B.C. Council of Professional Fish Harvesters; B.C. Institute of Technology, Marine Institute; Native Brotherhood of British Columbia (NBBC); Ecotrust; Simon Fraser University; United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union; University of British Columbia; University of Victoria. From the Prairie Provinces: Inland Fishermen s Federation; Lake Manitoba Commercial Fishermen s Association (LMCFA); Lake Winnipegosis Fishers Association. From Quebec: Comité sectoriel de main-d oeuvre des pêches maritimes (CSMOPM); Bureau d accréditation des pêcheurs et des aides-pêcheurs du Québec (BAPAP); Alliance des pêcheurs professionnels du Québec (APPQ); Féderation des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec (FPSHQ). From the Maritimes: Area 19 Snow Crab Fishermen s Association; Association des pêcheurs professionnels membres d équipages (APPME); Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs; Conseil d accreditation semi-hauturier Sud du Golfe; École des pêches du Nouveau-Brunswick; Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionels (FRAPP); Fundy North Fishermen s Association; Gulf Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board (GNSFPB); Gulf Nova Scotia Professionalization Committee (GNSPC); LFA District 34 Lobster Committee; Maritime Fishermen s Union; Prince Edward Island Council of Professional Fish Harvesters (PEICPFH); Prince County Fishrmen s Association,P.E.I. Scotia-Fundy Professional Fishermen s Registration and Training Board (SFPFRTB). From Newfoundland: Fish Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-CAW); Marine Institute of Memorial University; Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board (PFHCB). International: Comité national des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins (CNPMEM), France; World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers; University of Alaska, Fairbanks / Alaska Marine Safety Education Association. 8