Commercial fishers from northern Saskatchewan are meeting in Prince Albert to talk about a major change that will impact their industry.
Saskatchewan Cooperative Fishers Limited has called an emergency meeting to talk about putting together an expression of interest about the future of Fresh Water Fish Marketing Corporation. Currently the federal government is in the process of transitioning the corporation away from being a federal crown and is accepting submissions about the way to go forward. Fresh Water Fish, which is based in Winnipeg Man, has acted as a major buyer for northern commercial fishers for many decades.
John Beatty, acting president of the Saskatchewan Cooperative Fishers Limited said it is important that fishers speak up as the deadline for parties to make submissions in regards to Fresh Water Fish Marketing’s future.
“We’re at a crossroads, where, there’s going to be a transformation at Fresh Water, so we need to have a say in it,” he said.
The deadline for submissions to be made by interested parties is Friday. After the expression of interest period closes the federal government is planning to move to a request for proposals in regards to the future of the corporation.
Among the possible paths forward for Fresh Water Fish as an organization is for it to transform from being a federal crown corporation to some form of cooperative enterprise, which is being suggested by northern fishers.
Beatty said he is feeling optimistic about what could come about from the two days of meetings, which are being held at the Coronet Hotel.
“It sounds like at least we’re going to put a good effort to preserve the fishery as we know it,” he said.
The acting president added there are questions about what Fresh Fish going away will mean for those who get loan guarantees through the corporation, which helps them operate. Beatty said if Fresh Fish were to be handed off to fishers they would need to be provided some financial support to help make the transition. He explained as the transition is being made fishers need to be looked after.
“They can’t just dump us,” he said.
Along with the positive economic impacts Beatty said working as a commercial fisher allows for people to be out on the land which is something he believes is important for First Nations people and for communities.
“It’s not all money,” he said.
(Top Photo: Meeting attendees getting ready for the conference to resume at the Coronet Hotel. Photo by Michael Joel-Hansen.)