By Nigel Maxwell

MLA concerned about Saskatchewan’s fish industry

Feb 27, 2011 | 7:18 AM

A Northern Saskatchewan MLA says the province's fishermen need more time.
Buckley Belanger is concerned about the impending departure of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.

The FFMC, which has had a monopoly on fish caught commercially in Saskatchewan, is due to stop operations in April. Fishermen will then have the opportunity to sell their fish to whomever they choose.

Belanger said he is hearing a lot of confusion from those in the industry.

“I, as an elected individual, l am saying to people, look if the confusion is out there, we are not certain what is going to happen. We need more time before Freshwater exits to figure out our strategies, what our best interests are, whether to keep Freshwater or not.”

Belanger is advocating for a one-year moratorium on FFMC's departure from Saskatchewan.

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“Until we figure out what the best system is for our fishers, this confusion will reign and a lot of people will get hurt.”

He said the commercial fishing industry is roughly a $5 million industry for Northern Saskatchewan.

Many families will work for four or five months then receive employment benefits.

Belanger has some questions he wants answered.

“So if someone brings in 10 tubs of fish off the lake, Freshwater takes it all and they pay you as per the type or quality of fish you get. The private fish buyer may only take three of the tubs. What happens to the other (seven) tubs?”

Ken Chevaldayoff is the minister in charge of First Nations and Metis Relations. He said Saskatchewan Cooperative Fisheries Limited came to the government last year, requesting other marketing options.

“It's something we have obliged but if they are having second thoughts, we would like to hear from them and have those discussions,” he said.

Chevaldayoff said the government wants to do whatever it takes to improve the returns and viability of the industry.

nmaxwell@panow.com