Commercial fishers in Saskatchewan are meeting in Prince Albert today to discuss the challenges of their industry.
The 2014 Saskatchewan Co-operative Fisheries Ltd. Conference is taking place with an emphasis on finding new buyers for northern Saskatchewan fish.
President Marie Hildebrandt says they will see presentations from three different buyers.
“Let’s put it this way…money talks,” said Hildebrandt. “Whoever wants to pay a decent price for the fish so that the fishers can make a living and not just surviving.”
Hildebrandt says it has been a slow process for Saskatchewan commercial fishers to find buyers since they opted for an open market away from the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.
One of the presentations will be from prospective buyers in China, but Hildebrandt says potential buyers is not the only item on the agenda.
“This is the only place where all the fisherman can get together and talk about all the problems they face in their areas, so we can work together to help.”
The conference will be immediately followed by the SCFL AGM, with both taking place at the Travelodge in Prince Albert.
Hildebrandt says the conference and AGM are possible thanks to Saskatchewan Environment and a few private donors.