Final Payments For Northern Fishers On The Rebound

Final Payments For Northern Fishers On The Rebound

Friday, November 07, 2008 at 14:18

Good markets for pickerel, northern pike, whitefish and mullet should result in higher payouts for northern Saskatchewan commercial fishers this year.

Last season’s final payment cheques are in the mail and could reach many harvesters by Wednesday.

Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation spokesman Stephen Kendall says final payments should be up for all fishers.

Kendall says the FFMC is paying out a total of $2.1 million in final payments to fishers on the Prairies — almost three times the amount from the year before.

He says this year’s outlook also looks good, but the FFMC could use more product to take advantage of available markets.

Kendall says the corporation is hoping the final payouts stimulate winter season activity.

He notes the sharp rise of the Canadian dollar about a year ago put a lasting dent in the industry.