Fish harvesters from across northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba gathered in Prince Albert on Tuesday to talk about the future of the inland fishing industry as changes to Canada’s freshwater fish marketing system continue.
The two-day meeting at the Coronet Hotel brought together commercial fishers, Indigenous leaders, and industry representatives to discuss the transition involving the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC), a federal Crown corporation that has historically marketed freshwater fish from western and northern Canada.
“The purpose of this meeting is to inform fishers about where we are in terms of the transformation happening with freshwater fish,” Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd. President John S. Beatty said during a media scrum with reporters.
Organizers say the discussions could lead to a system that gives harvesters a stronger voice in decisions about how fish from the region are marketed.
The changes follow the federal government’s decision to open the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation to competition, allowing fishers to market their catch outside the traditional single-desk system. Leaders involved in the discussions said the shift could create new opportunities for Indigenous and northern fishting organizations to take a greater role in processing and marketing fish.
Sam Murdock, president of the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Commercial Fishers, said one proposal from a group of harvesters has already been selected as part of the process.
“The commercial fishermen are going to have more say in terms of the decision-making process,” Murdock said. “This is a good step forward in terms of economic reconciliation.”
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson speaks during the inland fisheries meeting of northern fish harvesters, Indigenous leadership, and industry representatives in Prince Albert.
Indigenous leaders who attended the meeting said the fishery remains a key part of northern economies and cultures.
Grand Chief Brian Harlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council said the industry has faced challenges over the years and needs support from governments to remain viable.
“It’s been a struggle,” Hardlotte said. “We’re asking for support from both levels of government.”
During opening remarks earlier in the meeting, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson spoke about the importance of fishing for many northern families.
“Commercial fishing is an industry that needs a lot of work to make sure that it continues,” Searson said. “We have a lot of fish in our lakes and they are fresh and healthy.”
Participants also pointed to transportation costs as one of the biggest challenges facing fishers in remote communities.
“The money that used to come from the province to subsidize our fisheries was cut off years ago,” said Edward Benoanie, a representative from Wallaston.
For individual fishers, those changes can have a direct impact on their ability to continue working in the industry.
Donald Sayazie, a commercial fisher from Black Lake, said high transportation costs and low prices for fish make it difficult to earn a living.
“Transportation is a problem right now,” Sazil said. “That’s our livelihood.”
Others involved in the discussion said cooperation between organizations and expanded markets will be key to strengthening the industry.
Joan Beatty, a former Saskatchewan MLA for Cumberland and a member of a technical committee involved with Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd, said Indigenous organizations and fishers are now working more closely together on how northern fish are marketed.
“For the first time we are working together and sharing information,” Beatty said. “We have a common goal, which is to sell good-quality product to the world.”
Beatty also said the long-term future of the fishery will depend on bringing more young people into the industry and providing proper training opportunities.
“We need more women. We need more young people, for sure,” Beatty said. “And that’s one of the things we identify: to have accredited training for young people, whether it’s trapping or fishing.”
The gathering continues Wednesday with additional discussions about the future structure of the inland fishery and how harvesters will be involved in the marketing system going forward.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
