VOL. 73 NO. 2 I DECEMBER, 2008 I VANCOUVER, B.C. $1

Season’s Greetings 8 2 1 2 1 0 0 4

R E B M U N

T N E M E E R G A

SHOREWORKERS

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 2 SAFETY A Merry Christmas NS court decision puts and Happy New Year to all our friends and fishermen. off WorkSafe challenge Thanks for your support in 2008. Appeal Court rules province can Part II (which includes occupa- tional health and safety regula- govern worker safety on boats tions). For fishermen working in company challenge month that the case was “still in provincial jurisdiction in Nova to the jurisdiction of the process” but noted that other Scotia, he said, the Occupational WorkSafeBC on related cases will likely have to be Health and Safety Act effectively A board fishing vessels resolved before the trial judge takes the place of Part II of the has been sidelined by the court brings it forward. He added that it Canada Labour Code. after the Court of Appeal in Nova may come back some time in the “As Mersey Seafoods ... is a Scotia overturned a key ruling new year. provincial undertaking, Part II of that had prompted the challenge Among the other cases is one the Canada Labour Code and the S.M. PRODUCTS (BC)LTD. in the first place. involving ferries, as well as the regulations are replaced by the PROVEN MARKETERS OF NORTH PACIFIC HALIBUT SINCE 1990 Jim Pattison Enterprises, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal rul- Nova Scotia’s OHS Act,” Justice owner of Canadian Fishing ing in the Mersey Seafoods case, Michaud wrote. “But that substi- LONG LINE HALIBUT, Company, and Kevin Smith, which came down last May. tution does not change the feder- ZN GROUNDFISH & FAS BLACK COD owner of the Western Investor, In the initial Mersey ruling, the al purpose — the Canada along with a numbered company, company had challenged the juris- Shipping Act does not aim to BUYING AND OFFLOADING STATIONS: launched court action in diction of the Nova Scotia’s exclude occupational health and 10 Stations in British Columbia November, 2007 to challenge the Occupational Health and Safety safety legislation. Nova Scotia’s 7 Stations in Alaska and Washington jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC to Act in regulating health and safe- OHS Act does not frustrate any TOP PRICES FOR TOP QUALITY conduct vessel inspections related ty on board fishing vessels. The federal statutory purpose.” SUPPORTED BY TOP SERVICE to occupational safety on board case followed several charges that Although the legal decision is fishing vessels. Osprey Marine were brought against Mersey not immediately binding on the Ice and Bait available upon request Ltd.,, which operates the hake fac- Seafoods for violations of the Act courts elsewhere in Canada, it Available 24 hours a day tory trawler Osprey Marine, also on board the factory shrimp would likely guide judges in mak- Office: 604-946-7665 • Toll-free: 1-888-962-5577 launched its own challenge to trawler Mersey Venture. ing decisions in similar cases. At Jorn: 604-657-9260 WorkSafe’s jurisdiction. The Nova Scotia Supreme the same time, the case is likely to g Blake: 604-290-2454 yin A preliminary hearing was held Court ruled that safety on board go to the Supreme Court of bu od ow k C Rob: 604-836-3474 N lac in the case earlier this year but it ships is exclusively a federal mat- Canada before it is finally settled. S B FA Gord: 604-644-9980 Rob: 604-418-6867 has not proceeded any further. ter and threw out the provincial In the meantime, WorkSafeBC Canadian Fishing Company charges. The decision was fol- is continuing with its inspections www.halibut.ca executive vice-president Don lowed closely by fishing compa- of vessel safety and stability based McLeod said in an interview last nies and vessel owners on both on the Memorandum of coasts and helped trigger the lat- Understanding signed with est court challenge in B.C. Transport Canada in 2001. But in a detailed ruling May 9, That MOU, which sets out 2008, three Nova Scotia Appeal individual responsibilities for each Court justices overturned that agency as well as areas of shared ALLIED decision and reinstated the work, came after a long campaign charges against Mersey Seafoods by fishermen to get the former SHIBUILDERS for safety violations. Workers Compensation Board In the written unanimous deci- (now WorkSafeBC) involved in sion, Justice Joel Fichaud noted setting standards and carrying out Best wishes for a safe that previous case law has estab- vessel inspections. Regulations lished that occupational health were brought in 1995 after nearly and prosperous year in 2009 and safety relates primarily to 20 years in which there were no labour relations, which fall under inspections and more than 100 provincial jurisdiction, even in the fishermen lost their lives. fishing industry. He also ruled that WorkSafeBC also stepped up both Mersey Seafoods and its ves- its inspections on vessel stability sel, the Mersey Venture, were in 2004 after the investigation into provincial undertakings and the tragic capsizing of the Cap therefore covered by relevant Rouge. That inspection program provincial legislation. prompting some pushback from He emphasized that seafarers fishing companies and vessel own- and other marine workers who are ers whose boats were cited for not in federal jurisdiction are already meeting standards. covered under the safety provi- Vessel stability, as well as the sions of two different pieces of determination of who has juris- legislation — the Canada diction over stability standards Shipping Act 2001 and the occu- and inspections are likely to be key pational health and safety stan- issues when the current challenge dards of the Canada Labour Code does come back to court.

A Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all our friends and customers small jobs welcome 1870 Harbour Road, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1A1 (At the foot of Riverside Drive, east of the Second Narrows Bridge) TEL: 604-929-2365 • FAX: 604-929-5329 2115 Commissioner Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 1A6 e-mail: [email protected] • web: www.alliedship.com Tel: 604-255-6271 Fax: 604-255-3120 Kernal Manhas, Versacold Group e-mail: [email protected]

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 FISHERIES 3 Area C urges no on quota fisheries Letter points to quota lease fee 900 fish quota. The lease fee cut quota fishery was only able to “The Area C harvest commit- deeply into crew shares. achieve its allocation because tee along with the Northern imposed on seines last summer In a series of spreadsheets ana- DFO bent its own rules and Native Fishing Corporation, the lyzing the effect of the lease fee, allowed quota shortfalls from one Native Brotherhood and the embers of the tion fishery project for your fleet UFAWU-CAW northern repre- week to be transferred to the next UFAWU-CAW have been work- Area C Harvest for 2009?” The Area C ballot sentative Joy Thorkelson estimat- week. ing to develop an alternative to Committee are poses the questions for Skeena ed that the share going to the crew The Area C harvest committee ITQs,’ it states. “We are working M calling on fisher- River sockeye, Skeena pinks and for fish subject to the lease fee letter urges fishermen not to on ways to allow people who want men to vote No on a coastwide “other fisheries” but the fisheries- could be as low as $0.16 a pound, throw their ballots away but to use out to ret ire with dignity and fish- ballot being sent out by DFO, named are different for each har- despite an initial sockeye price of the opportunity to vote No to the ermen who want to stay fishing to polling them on whether they vest area. $1.10 a pound. demonstration fisheries. be able to make a good living.” want quota demonstration fish- DFO has already sparked con- “There was no new expense for eries in their harvest area. troversy with the proposed ballot the companies, but they were In a letter directed to Area C since it will be polling fishermen passing on make-believe expenses gillnetters, harvest committee on demonstration fisheries based to fishermen and cutting their members told fishermen: on individual vessel quotas— now wages in half,” she said. Victoria Marine Electric “Transferable quotas will not get called “share-based fisheries” by The lease fee sparked protests, you a fish more or a cent more. the department — even before the with the seine fleet opting to SITEX • KOBELT • FURUNO “Give us a chance to make our fall consultations on the issue have attend meetings rather than fish, SIMRAD • STANDARD • JRC fishery work without packing any been completed. despite there being an opening. ELECTRONICS SALES & SERVICE more costs on to the fishery,” the It has also been tacked on to In response, the companies ini- 31 Erie St., Victoria, BC V8V 1P8 letter stated. “Please vote No to the salmon area harvest commit- tially cut the lease fee to 35 per Tel: 250-383-9731 Fax: 250-382-6153 ITQs.” tee election process, in which fish- cent and then backtracked, elimi- A division of Atlantic Electronics Ltd. It was signed by Area C ermen coastwide get a list of can- nating it completely. But at the Harvest Committee members didates in their harvest area from same time, they cut the initial Richard Azak, Henry Clifton, which to elect their harvest com- price of sockeye from $1.50 a Season’s Greetings Mabel Mazurek, Richard Omori, mittee. pound to $1.10 — underlining the Kim Olsen, Don Roberts, Adding even more fuel to the point that quota fisheries won’t to all our customers William Starr and Joy controversy is the experience in bring higher prices. Thorkelson. the Area 4 seine fishery on Skeena “After last summer’s demon- The commitee had asked that sockeye last summer in which par- stration, seine crews and skipper and friends the letter be sent out along with ticipants in the quota demonstra- do not support ITQs,” the Area C the DFO mailout but Jeff Grout, tion fishery were hit by new quota Harvest committee members Nagaura Gillnets DFO regional resource manager lease fees introduced unilaterally state in their letter. for salmon, said the committee by the fishing companies. They also point out that the Trolling and Longline Gear should “make its views known to Based on the total allowable fishery did not result in any more Marine Supplies your members through other catch, the 107 vessels eligible to fish for the quota fishery than they means.” participate in the July fishery were would normally have caught. 3551 Moncton Street, Richmond, B.C. The DFO ballot asks fisher- given a 900-fish vessel quota. That “Seines got their normal alloca- Tel: 604-271-6332 • Fax 604-271-1266 men: “Are you in favour of your initial quota was not subject to the tion of 25 per cent and the gillnets TOLL-FREE 1-800-830-6332 area harvest committee working lease fee, but the companies (without a quota fishery) got their with the department to develop a imposed a 50 per cent lease fee on 75 per cent of the sockeye,” the Two complete floors of fishing gear and marine supplies! share-based salmon demonstra- any fish a vessel landed over that letter notes. Ironically, the seine In the heart of historic Steveston Season's Greetings Our sincere wish for a Happy Holiday goes out to you and your family. May the New Year bring us progress towards a just world and a safe and successful fishing season.

from THE FISHERMAN Sean Griffin Suzanne Thomson

and the officers and staff of the UNITED FISHERMEN AND ALLIED WORKERS’ UNION-CAW Nancy Anderson Joanne Demmery Irvin Figg Sandra Gertsch John Krgovich David Lane Christina Nelson Gary Prisner Joy Thorkelson UFAWU-CAW offices will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 5

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 4

ven before financial bureaucrats at the again, the phone has relief available to tribal and markets went off the Ministry of been ringing steadily non-tribal fishing communities Ecliff, we always Agriculture and fish at the UFAWU-CAW in Washington State affected by wondered why it is that Lands. The office, with people the poor returns on Fraser investors pump money into the applications — which looking for details on sockeye this year. “The salmon farming industry. After were made after the the sale that has assistance we are announcing all, their product raises government ships provided people with today will help tribal and non- eyebrows across the continent announced a & one of the best seafood tribal fishermen who have been for its environmental record moratorium on bargains on the coast hurt by drastic declines in and the financial returns salmon farming on the North the ministry last year without and raised hundreds of sockeye salmon runs and haven’t been much to write Coast — have been before the any notification to the public. thousands of dollars towards harvests that are so important home about. Last year, ministry for And the applications aren’t the Orphan’s Fund and the T. to these communities,” said Jim according to Statistics Canada, some time, all that have been kept under Buck Suzuki Environmental Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant farmed salmon production although no wraps — apparently Foundation over the years. administrator for NOAA’s stayed almost the same as the one outside Mainstream exceeded the Fisheries Service. previous year but the value of the industry number of fish permitted under ongratulations are in We didn’t see anybody that production dropped by was informed. its ministry permits in 2001-03 order for a number of stepping up to the plate in $56.4 million, or 7.5 per cent. One of the and again in 2004-06, but the CUFAWU-CAW Ottawa even to acknowledge Part of the reason was the companies, ministry took no action. members this month who were the losses to B.C. fishing higher value of the Canadian Mainstream, THORKELSON elected or re-elected in communities, let alone offering dollar, but still: why would any is applying to fter the annual municipal votes and will help any financial assistance. investor want to put money in increase UFAWU-CKNW provide some down-to-earth It’s the second time — the that scheme? production in AOrphan’s Fund herring leadership in municipal first time was in 2002 — that Well, it seems the answer nine different sale was knocked off the councils around the province. the U.S. federal government lies in cranking up production farms from schedule in 2006 and 2007, In Prince Rupert, northern has provided assistance based — especially now that the current level organizers were hoping to get representative Joy Thorkelson on the collapse of Fraser River Canadian dollar is back down in of 7,310 the popular sale back on the was re-elected to Prince Rupert sockeye fisheries. The money 80-cent territory again and the tonnes to NOBELS dock again this year. But this City Council for a second will be used to expand habitat Chilean salmon farmers are 23,521 tonnes time, a cutback in food herring three-year term and just missed restoration work, stock having disease problems. — more than three times its licences and some never before by one vote topping the poll. enhancement and retraining for What we didn’t know — in current production. All of the encountered regulations forced Just across Prince Rupert fishermen. fact what nobody but the nine farms are in the sensitive a cancellation once again. harbour, in Dodge Cove, Des provincial government and the Broughton Archipelago. In 2006, it was a just Nobels, North Coast industry knew because the Living Oceans campaigner damaged net that left the sale campaigner for the T. Buck process is so secretive — was Catherine Stewart warned without fish. In 2007, it was a Suzuki Environmental that B.C. salmon farmers have that an increase of that size court case that prevented the Foundation, won another term put in more than 20 would put “tremendous department from allocating a by acclamation on the Skeena- applications to pump thousands pressure on already imperiled portion of the herring catch to Queen Charlotte Regional more farm salmon into both wild salmon stocks.” the charity, prompting Council. In Bella Coola, new and existing netpen sites. If Mainstream also has organizers to look instead to a gillnetter Brian Lande also approved, they would more applications for increased donated licence from Canadian won another term on the than double current production output in sites in northern Fish to provide the fish. But it Central Coast Regional ow that oil prices have in B.C. — and some sites, Georgia Strait while the second wasn’t enough. District. And in Vancouver, dropped, the gas production levels could go up major company, Marine As industry and DFO shifted former Fisherman editor Geoff Nstation and the fuel more than six times. Harvest, has applications in the some of the allowable catch Meggs won a seat in his first barge aren’t places that you Representatives of the Broughton and Discovery over to the spring roe herring bid for city council. He was one have to fear quite as much. But Coastal Alliance for Islands. CAAR learned that two fishery, only six food herring of seven councillors elected by there is one company you Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) of the applications, which called licences went into the lottery Vision Vancouver, which was should steer clear of for now: learned about the applications for almost a quadrupling of this year and Canadian Fish part of a joint labour council- Petro-Canada. Members of during a meeting with senior production, were approved by only got two of them — leaving endorsed slate with the the Communications Energy them short even for their own Coalition of Progressive and Paperworkers Local 175 production. In addition, DFO Electors, which elected two in Montreal just marked their wanted paid observers on both members to council. first anniversary on the picket the harvesting vessel and the line, having been locked out packer and stipulated that all s more than one since Nov. 17, 2007. The oil the fish would have be weighed commentator has company has refused to give the as it came off the packer. Apointed out, the federal local the pattern settlement it The new rules have left government long ago had already established at its organizers with new roadblocks abandoned the principle of Edmonton refinery and other to overcome, but they’re equity on the Pacific Salmon operations. The Quebec optimistic that they can get the Treaty and the sharing of Labour Relations Board has pails of herring flowing on the Fraser salmon runs. But there’s also found the company guilty dock at New Westminster a new kind of inequity this year on three occasions of operating Quay in 2009. between Canadian and U.S. using scab labour — illegal “We’re going to do fishermen. under Quebec law. everything we can to make sure On Nov. 18, the U.S. The Canadian Labour there’s a sale next year,” says National Oceanic and Congress has called on Nick Carr, longtime UFAWU- Atmospheric Administration consumers nationwide to HERRING SALE...roadblocks again force cancellation but CAW organizer for the sale. (NOAA) announced that it was boycot the company’s gas organizers optimistic about a sale in 2009. It’s a good thing, too. Once making $2 million in disaster stations and fuel docks.

Published by the Fisherman Publishing Society Sean Griffin Publications Mail Editor Number 40012128. Single copy $1 Suzanne Thomson 1st Flr, 326—12th Street New Westminster, B.C. V3M 4H6 Deadline two weeks Advertising Manager Ph: 604-519-3630 Fax: 604-524-6944 prior to publication. E-mail, editorial: fi[email protected] Advertising, circulation: [email protected]

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 IN MEMORIAM 5 EDGAR BIRCH 1928-2008 A voice for fishermen for 59 years Memorial services were held Sept. tough job. It started with a con- on a host of issues. I had the hon- 29 for longtime UFAWU gillnetter ference of local delegates in the our of being on a few of those and Edgar Birch, who passed away Sept. spring to set out the basic watching how well Edgar could 23 after a battle with cancer. This is demands for each species of speak with those in power. No one an excerpt from a eulogy by former salmon, followed by dozens of — even the highest cabinet minis- UFAWU-CAW vice-president meetings — some lasting all night ters — failed to pay attention Dennis Brown. — until an agreement was reached when Edgar spoke in his plain-talk any others in this or a strike had to be called. common sense sort of way. And gathering have My first memory of Edgar more often than not he’d get them N I F

spoken eloquently Birch was seeing him up on the all laughing before he’d go. F I R G

about this great stage of the Queen Elizabeth In the late 1970s the federal N

M A man, Edgar Birch. I wanted to Theatre during the peak of the government initiated the Salmon E S – speak about his role in the 1975 strike, which lasted a bitter Enhancement Program. Edgar S O UFAWU and the fishing industry. three weeks. There must have was appointed to serve on the T O H P

Before I do I’d ask to look back been a couple of thousand people Salmon Enhancement board, N with me to 1949. It was quite a present and things were pretty where he campaigned tirelessly A M R year. stormy. Edgar — who was then for what he called small E H S • The Soviet Union had just the UFAWU small boat vice-pres- stream/wild stock enhancement. I F tested its first atom bomb, and the ident, another of his many titles — He was opposed to big mega-pro- Edgar Birch in the wheelhouse of his gillnetter Bev Mark Cold War was under way. along with Homer Stevens had to ject style hatcheries that produced that he fished until his retirement. • The first Polaroid camera face down that crowd, and explain artificially raised stocks. He was selling for $89 — a princely what it was that the struggle was believed we needed to focus on for thousands of working people. in what was then the USSR. At the sum. all about. At one point, a group of cleaning up the streams so that the Sadly, our government eventual- time the Soviets were trying to • Newfoundland joined guys from Ladner shouted out wild stocks could thrive. But that ly old out the principles of the enhance their wild salmon stocks Confederation. that they were quitting, if some- was harder, dirtier work, with less Treaty to the Americans., some- through various techniques. • And Team Canada beat thing was not done to get them opportunity for ribbon cutting thing that always bothered Edgar. Edgar came back an even greater Denmark 47-0 in world hockey. back fishing. Edgar in his quiet ceremonies for the politicians. In 1992 after the introduction proponent of salmon enhance- Meanwhile, in B.C., a fledging way answered back: “Quit what? ment. But few in the Canadian UFAWU, then just four years old, Quit fighting for your rights? You government or our industry want- was struggling to cope with a myr- can quit the union, but what’s that ed to hear what he had to say. iad of issues under the leadership gonna do to help your cause? You Instead they listened to the likes of of president George Miller, and a ain’t gonna get a decent price for Peter Pearse from the University young man named Homer your fish on your own.” of B.C. who recommended major Stevens. Besides being on the union’s cuts to salmon enhancement and The issues, just to name a few negotiating committee and the the privatization of the resource. were: executive board, Edgar helped That led to the Mifflin plan and • Getting a coastwide price fishermen better their income as a the Anderson plan, and so-called salmon agreement in all areas. key member of the Canoe Pass co- Wild Salmon Plan — all of which • Stopping high seas intercep- op. The original president of the made Edgar despair right up until tions of B.C. salmon by Japan. Canoe pass Co-op was Harold the last few times I spoke with him • Preventing the construction Wulff Sr., who was later succeed- in hospital before he died. of dams on the Fraser River, which ed by Eric Arkko. The first secre- Meanwhile I’ve just read that would have been the death knell of tary-manager was Mike Vidulich in the Sakhalin Islands and in most Fraser River salmon runs. of Ladner. Edgar replaced him as Kamchatka wild salmon enhance- • Fighting for a search and res- secretary-manager some time ment efforts have been so success- cue service for coastal mariners. later. Birch on the Ladner docks with Homer Stevens in 1995, ful that Russia is now producing • Trying to win the first wel- Eric told me of an occasion that recalling the successful campaign that Birch helped to lead more commercial salmon harvests fare/benefit fund from the fishing typifies Edgar. Back when the co- in the 1950s against proposed construction of the Moran than B.C and Alaska combined. companies. op was delivering to Canfisco they Dam on the Fraser River upstream from Lillooet. In the mid 1990’s Edgar was Needless to say, the UFAWU had worked out a deal with a given the Man of the Year Award members had their work cut out bonus clause with company reps For many years Edgar was a of the Aboriginal Fisheries by the Fisheries Council of for them. But on August 8 of that Nels Gordon and Lloyd Monk. It delegate to the Fraser River Strategy Edgar joined the B.C. Canada — no small feat as the year, a 21-year-old from PEI — was a big year and all the compa- District Council, which repre- Fisheries Survival Coalition. In Council is the organization repre- Alfred Edgar Birch — was signed nies paid big bonuses to all fisher- sented all the locals of the this climate of enforced political senting the fishing companies up into the union by his brother men. When it came time to settle UFAWU along the Fraser. correctness it was hard for people across the country. They knew he Eldon Birch. Edgar and his buddy up at the end of the season, Edgar Another of his roles was to serve like Edgar to endure the claims by was a strong union man, but they Vic Gamble drove a car all the way told them that they had to pay the on the board of the T. Buck Suzuki certain quarters that the Coalition also respected all he had done for out west, and later sold it to buy a Co-op a bonus on the minimum Environmental Foundation, was based on ill will, or even racist the industry, nation-wide. boat called the Ocean Limit. price plus the bonus paid to all the which he had helped to found in attitudes towards Native Indians. Through his life, Edgar always Later on he would own the gill- others. The company reps wailed 1981. Nothing could be further from had two goals in mind: first and netter Sheila Gail, the Patsy B and with horror, complaining that In 1985 the government of the truth in the case of a man like foremost looking after the salmon of course the Bev Mark. they weren’t going to pay two Canada appointed Edgar as one of Edgar. He was strong supporter of on which he and his family The rest, as they say, was his- bonuses. Edgar said: “Never the two gillnet panel representa- the Native struggle for justice. But depended; and second, looking tory—but what a history. mind. You fellas better read the tives — Mike Forrest was the he could not understand the gov- after his fellow fishermen. It’s impossible to list all of the fine print in the contract. It says other — on the Fraser Panel set up ernment’s divisive policies and he Above all, I’ll remember that titles Edgar held in the union, all right there we get a bonus on the under the new Pacific Salmon lamented the fact that at one time beautiful PEI accent and the of the committees he served on, regular price plus their bonus.” Treaty. He was proud of his both groups belonged to the same unique way of talking he had. I and all the campaigns he was Apparently Lloyd Monk said: appointment — and equally proud fishing community. We talked can’t recall a conversation I ever involved. I know I’m going to miss “My God they’re right! And here of the fact that the Treaty called about this painful subject often had with him when he didn’t out a lot, but I’ll try to touch on I thought we were dealing with a for each country to harvest an and Edgar was convinced that the impart some sort of deep wisdom the highlights. bunch of dumb fishermen.” amount of salmon equal to its own government had ulterior motives in his down-to-earth way. Edgar served on the union In 1966 Edgar along with production. In his opinion, that for creating a second commercial Let us hope that in the trou- negotiating committee for both Homer, Bill Procopation, Eric meant that Canada could finally fishery, and that the subsequent bled times that face our world that salmon and herring for many Arkko, Helen O’Shaughnessy, get on with the long-term dream split paved the way for the priva- we can all at some point conjure years, right up until the time he Reg Payne, Harry Corlett and of enhancing the Fraser River to tization of a common property up that voice, and commune with retired. Edgar always had his fin- several others traveled to Ottawa its full production potential. He resource. his great, and lasting, legacy. ger on the pulse of what the mem- to lobby for an all-inclusive often told me that he believed the In the mid ‘80s, Edgar, Bill Good bye, Edgar old friend — bership was feeling. Anyone who North Pacific Fisheries Treaty. annual sockeye run could be built Procopation and Joy Thorkelson we’re all going to miss you. And knows anything about salmon This was one of several Ottawa up to as many as 30 million — pro- traveled all the way around the we thank you from the bottom of price bargaining knows it was lobbies that Edgar participated in viding food for the world, and jobs planet to visit the Sakhalin Islands our hearts for all you did.

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 6 FISHERIES HARPER RENEGES ON the operator, Metro Vancouver, Insolvency Act and provincial debt, is subject to the same with authority from the Province bankruptcy legislation. requirements. SEWAGE PROSECUTION of B.C., was violating the federal NEWS In a unanimous decision Oct. “It may well be that in the Fisheries Act by dumping toxic 24, the court upheld a decision by course of a bankruptcy the fishing The UFAWU-CAW and three sewage discharge into the Strait of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal licence will expire, or has already environmental groups have Georgia. The prosecution was briefs that herring, lobster, swordfish expired,” Justice Ian Binnie wrote charged that Prime Minister launched on behalf of the and mackerel licences held by in the court’s reasons for judg- Stephen Harper has already bro- UFAWU-CAW, the T. Buck Vancouver Sept. 24, that he would fisherman Benoit Saulnier were a ment. “If so, the trustee will have ken an election promise as the new Suzuki Environmental take action against environmental property asset and could be sold to the same right as the original Conservative government unilat- Foundation and offenders as part of his “get tough discharge debts held by Saulnier holder of an expired licence to go erally cancelled a sewage prosecu- Georgia Strait on crime” policy. under bankruptcy proceedings. to the minister to seek its replace- tion in the same city where the Alliance. “The federal government Saulnier’s fishing company, ment, and has the same recourse prime minister had pledged to But on Nov. should justify why it is shielding Bingo Queen Fishing Company, (or the lack of it) if the request is crack down on environmental 12, the federal these big polluters from the had obtained loans from the Royal rejected. polluters. government court,” said Ecojustice lawyer Bank of Canada but declared “The bankrupt can transfer no In 2006, environmental inves- ordered the Lara Tessaro. “Instead it has bankruptcy when the business greater rights than he possesses,” tigator Douglas Chapman , repre- prosecution refused to give the public any rea- failed. The bank found a seller he wrote. “The trustee simply sented by Ecojustice (formerly the CHAPMAN cancelled, with- son. willing to buy the four fishing steps into the shoes of the appel- Sierra Legal Defence Fund), out offering any David Lane, executive director licences for $630,000, but lant Saulnier and takes the licence launched a private prosecution reason for the action. The move of the T. Buck Suzuki Saulnier refused to sign the trans- ‘warts and all’.” against the Iona sewage treatment was in direct contradiction to Environmental Foundation, said fer papers, triggering the case that Justice Binnie noted that a fish- plant in Richmond, alleging that Harper’s pledge, made in the treatment plant at Iona finally wound up in the Supreme ing licence is more that “more removes only 30 per cent of sus- Court. than mere permission to do some- pended solids and does not The issue of whether licences thing that would be illegal to do remove heavy metals and persis- should be considered property has otherwise,” since it provides Season’s Greetings tent pollutants. “It spews toxins been a contentious one since a access to a limited entry fishery straight into the path of a billion 1997 Supreme Court decision and the expectation of catch. “A to the men and women juvenile salmon heading out to involving another Nova Scotia commercial fisher with a ram- in the fishing industry. sea. Metro Vancouver must be company, Comeau Seafoods, shackle boat and a licence to fish compelled to provide advanced ruled that the federal minister of is much better off financially than Good health and happiness in 2009. modern sewage treatment at Iona fisheries has an absolute right to a fisher with a great boat tied up at immediately,” he said. grant or withdraw commercial the wharf with no licence,” he FISHING LICENCES ARE fishing licences. wrote. PROPERTY, SAYS SCOC In the latest case., the court The court did acknowledge KLASSENM ruled that attaching a property that fishing licences might not MDIESEL SALES LTD. The Supreme Court of Canada value to a licence does not detract meet all the requirements to be has ruled that fishing licences con- in any way from the minister’s dis- considered property under the Suzie Marine Engines stitute property for the purposes cretion, since the licence, even common law definition. But based LEC Generator Sets of the federal Bankruptcy and after it has been sold to discharge on the language of the Bankruptcy Act which was intended to “sweep up a variety of assets of the bank- Season’s Greetings rupt not normally considered Best Wishes for a Happy New Year property at common law,” fishing & Good Fishing in 2009. licences should be considered Proven Engines property for the purposes of the 100% Parts & Service I ONE STOP I Bankruptcy Act as well as Nova HYDRAULIC SERVICE 10—7187 Progress Way 6701 Oldfield Rd. Scotia’s Personal Property HYDRAULIC HOSE & FITTINGS Delta, B.C. V4G 1K8 Saanichton, B.C. V8M 2A1 Security Act, the court ruled. COMPLETE MACHINE SHOP SERVICE Tel: 604-940-6400 Tel: 250-652-6655 Many fishermen see the deci- Fax: 604-940-6500 Fax: 250-652-6655 PORT MACHINE WORKS sion as a positive step, since it E-mail: [email protected] www.klassenengine.com 3726 4TH AVE., PORT ALBERNI, B.C. V9Y 4H8 PH: 250-723-8165 should allow fishermen to gain better access to credit using their licences as collateral. But some have warned that licence-backed loans could see many fishermen lose their licences through bank- ruptcy proceedings and divorce settlements, creating more insta- bility in fishing communities.

Season’s Greetings

SHOREWORKERS’ PENSION PLAN Season’s Greetings to our employees, fishermen and friends OCEAN FISHERIES LTD.

VANCOUVER OFFICE RICHMOND PLANT ROYAL PLANT 2305 Commissioner Street 13140 Rice Mill Road, Cow Bay Road, P.O. Box 460, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 1A4 Richmond, B.C. V6W 1A1 Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 3R2 Please note our office Phone: 604-254-5751 Phone: 604-272-2552 Phone: 250-624-9835 hours are now Fax: 604-254-0957 Fax: 604-272-5220 Fax: 250-624-6939 Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 SALMON HABITAT 7 Sampling revealing lice on sockeye Research shows smolts infected near farm sites in Georgia Strait

our years ago Gulf troller there are many farms crammed Steve Bergh decided to into narrow inlets just as there are check out whether wild in the Broughton. F juvenile salmon migrat- Bergh and Eriksson fine-tuned ing past Quadra and the their sampling methods with Discovery Islands in the spring advice and assistance from scien- might be facing the same sea lice tists researching sea lice impacts problems that have been well- in the Broughton. Some funds documented in the Broughton from the Gulf Trollers O T

Archipelago. Association helped them collect O H P Working with his deckhand, the first two years of samples and H G

Jody Eriksson, they used a small then they continued for two more R E B half-inch purse seine to round up years with funding and support E V E

migrating juvenile wild salmon from the Raincoast Conservation T Foundation. In all, thousands of S LICE-INFESTED SOCKEYE SMOLT...documenting a new environmental threat from salmon juvenile salmon were collected for farms along wild salmon migratory routes. the study. The team will be out on the water again in 2009 to add salmon populations, as well as ing north from Georgia Strait, it’s levels in these farms.” She said a more data. BC’s most valuable herring stocks obvious the majority must be from number of farms in the area have The 2005-2006 results have migrate through the Discovery the Fraser.” applied for large increases in their been analyzed by fish biologist Islands. Ruby Berry, Salmon allowable production tonnage and Alexandra Morton, Dr. Rick The sampling continued in Aquaculture Campaigner for the the provincial government is like- Routledge from Simon Fraser 2007 and 2008 with preliminary Georgia Strait Alliance, agrees ly to make a decision in the near University and Dr. Martin results showing that 41 percent of with Bergh and she is greatly future on whether they will be Krkosek from the University of all the fish sampled had lice on alarmed. “It’s outrageous that the allowed to expand. Alberta. Their findings, recently them. Most troublesome, the government is paying so little “We now know that sea lice published in the North American juvenile sockeye had the highest attention to the most important from salmon farms are threaten- Environment Journal of Fisheries Management, infection level at 62 percent. and largest runs of salmon in the ing most of B.C.’s salmon runs – conclude that sea lice loads on “We initially thought the province. And it’s unbelievable it’s time for the government to David Lane wild juvenile salmon are greatest impact on sockeye might not be that the fish farm companies and wake up and take strong action to close to salmon farms and then that great because they probably the government are even contem- protect our wild salmon and diminish as sampling moves far- move through the area quite plating increasing the production coastal communities,” Berry said. from random locations, ranging ther away from the farms quickly,” Bergh said. “But now we from West Thurlow Island to “We found four times as many know they don’t. They stay Cardero Channel and south to wild juvenile salmon were infect- around the area and are often Cape Mudge. When they exam- ed with sea lice near fish farms found in large numbers in the ined their samples, sorting out the than distant from the farms,” sheltered bays where the salmon Western Maritime Surveyors various salmon species and count- Alexandra Morton explained. farms are.” Paul Dupré • David Wood ing the lice loads, their hearts “Then in 2006 when most of the Bergh said that the next stage Tel: 604-649-1210 Fax: 604-662-8350 sank. farms were empty, the sea lice of the study is to do DNA analy- They found large numbers of declined.” sis of the juvenile sockeye to find E-mail: wms@telus.net www.wms.bc.ca juvenile sockeye covered with sea They also found significant lice out what river systems they are lice. This is an area that is loads on juvenile herring in the from and what percentage may be Insurance Claims Analysis extremely important for the wild area. The scientists noted in their Fraser River stocks. “We don’t Hull Surveys juvenile sockeye migration, paper that Canada’s most abun- know for certain, but if you look including Fraser River stocks, as dant and economically valuable at what sockeye stocks are travel- there are only two main corridors for the juveniles to pass through SEASON’S GREETINGS on their way north to Johnstone Strait. Both corridors present a BERRY’S BAIT Season’s Greetings gauntlet of multiple salmon farms, ITY FISH UN ER IE all generating millions of sea lice AND TACKLE M S M O eggs that stream away from the C Community Fisheries

D farms, hatch out, develop into full E Development Centre V E WE BUY SALMON ROE L E blown parasites, and then attach O R PO Box 205, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2H4 (CHUM, SPRING AND COHO ONLY) P N T themselves to the closest available M EN T C E salmon. And the only sea lice hosts 14651 Westminster Highway, Richmond V6V 1A4 available in the spring are the tens (2 blocks east of Knight St.) of millions of juvenile wild salmon that seek out a refuge in the bays Tel. 604-273-5901 Fax: 604-273-5980 and inlets on their long journey to open ocean. Pacific Boat Brokers.com The team also found lice on Season’s Head office: 250-248-0010 • Vancouver: 604-277-3434 juvenile pink and chum salmon, as United States: 360-393-0502 the studies in the Broughton Buying or selling? For excellent results, call us! Archipelago have done, but this Greetings CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR HUNDREDS OF LISTINGS was the first time large numbers of www.pacificboatbrokers.com to all those working juvenile sockeye were also found with high lice loads. It is the first • Commercial fishing • Power, Sail boats to protect our fish habitat time that an area outside of the vessels and licences • Yachts Broughton has confirmed high • Tugs and barges • Equipment sea lice levels on migrating juve- • Supply vessels • Floating accomm. niles, leading some to believe this is probably the case in any area of The staff of Pacific Boat Brokers Inc. the coast with high densities of wish you a very merry Christmas salmon farms. In fact, around the and a prosperous New Year islands north of Georgia Strait

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 8

MANAGING YOUR FISHING ENTERPRISE The Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters is pleased to present Managing Your Fishing Enterprise, a new interactive electronic tool.

This is your home guide to help you manage a successful and profitable fishing enterprise. Order it now!

We will send you a compact disk (CD) with the learning program to install on your computer.

The CD covers: • How you can use the learning tool • General; business principles for running an enterprise • How to calculate the value of your fishing enterprise: boat, licence, operations — the whole package

To place your order, send us an e-mail with your mailing information and preferred language (English or French) to: [email protected]

Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters 1 Nicholas Street, Suite 712 Ottawa ON K1N 7B7 Tel:613-235-3474 Fax: 613-231-4313

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 FISHERIES 9

Chum fishing on the Belina Photos by John Krgovich

Deckhand Larry Thorne (clockwise from top r) watches the set during the October chum fishery in Johnstone Strait; Ron Benedet and Dominic Abbinante move the fish into the hold; passing the Queen’s Reach; Benedet (l), Abbinante and Gary Sananin carry out a safety drill with a new White immersion suit; skipper Ron Benedet in the wheelhouse waiting for a set. Have a safe and happy holiday from all of us.

            Best Wishes for a healthy and prosperous season in 2009
  





 

B.C. Salmon Marketing Council 1100–1200 W. 73rd Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6P 6G5 Tel: 604-267-3030 For information and resources If you have questions about workplace Fax: 604-266-3097 regarding safety at sea, safety, call WorkSafeBC’s Call Centre [email protected] FRQWDFWZZZ¿VKVDIHEFFRP at 604 276-3100, or toll-free in B.C. at www.bcsalmon.ca Phone: 604.261.9700 1 888 621-SAFE (7233).

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 10 UFAWU CAW UNITED FISHERMEN AND Season’s Greetings ALLIED WORKERS’ UNION fxtáÉÇËá ZÜxxà|Çzá STAFF APPOINTMENTS Fishing Vessel Owners’ DOLLARTON Association of British Columbia APPLICATIONS INVITED 406-536 Howe Street, Vancouver B.C. V6C 2Z4 Applicants must be UFAWU-CAW Tel: 604-684-4493 Fax: 604-638-0115 members and be resident in or pre- fvoa@fishlink.ca SHIPYARD pared to take up residence in the areas of the posts for which they make application — Prince Rupert L 350 TON COVERED MARINE WAYS for northern B.C. posts, Vancouver area for all others. L COMMERCIAL AND PLEASURE VESSELS ᙄ ᙅ Season’s Greetings Posts for which applications are invited are benefit fund director, L COMPLETE MARINE REPAIRS safety director, northern represen- AND MAINTENANCE FALSE CREEK HARBOUR AUTHORITY tative, and northern shoreworkers’ 1505 West 5th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1E8 organizer. The UFAWU-CAW General L SHIP’S SAFETY BRANCH Tel: 604-733-3625 Fax: 604-733-3628 Executive Board will determine INSPECTIONS www.falsecreek.com which posts will be filled and will make appointments accordingly. L SANDBLASTING AND PAINTING Please note that advertising of L STEEL, WOOD, ALUMINUM AND these positions does not necessari- FIBREGLASS ly imply that those now holding them are relinquishing them. 3829 DOLLARTON HIGHWAY Season’s Greetings Applications must be made in writ- from the ing and received on or before NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. V7G 1A1 Steveston February 6, 2009. Jaime Gonzales, Manager Harbour Mail applications to: cell 604-341-0279 General Executive Board, Authority UFAWU–CAW TEL: 604-929-0866 326–12th Street FAX: 604-929-5329 Serving all the fleet in Steveston New Westminster, B.C. Tel: 604-272-5539 • Fax: 604-271-6142 V3M 4H6

Merry Christmas from all the staff Best Wishes for the New Year at Pacific Net and Twine Towns Netting and Marine Supply

THE ONE-STOP FISHING STORE 3531 Bayview St. Richmond, B.C. V7E 5W3 Tel: 604-277-3191 Fax: 604-277-6131

TOLL-FREE 1-800-298-6967 Christmas is a time for love, [email protected] a time for joy and peace;

A time to trim the Christmas tree Thanks for All the and a time to stuff the geese. your best in It's a time when we can come patronage the New in 2008. Year. together, however far or near, To shed a little hope into a world

“DW Bow 2 EPS” - from Fred Showker and DesignWorks™. Original clip art images or custom graphics created specifically for Mac users. A portion of the proceeds from this collection go to the benefit of the Johnny Appleseed Awards and Grants program. of sorrow and fear. DesignWorks™ disks come complete with disk jacket and printed catalog for as low as $19.99 per disk. For Logo conversions, custom graphics, or a complete catalog Call 703-433-1527. DesignWorks™ is a trademark of Showker Graphic Arts & Design. THIS IS NOT Public Domain! It is a sample from DesignWorks™ for use by Mac Users, through the Mug News Service, AOL ONLY! Showker Graphic Arts ©1988, 89 All rights reserved! (NOT to be re-sold or reproduced by EduCorp, BudgetBytes, etc! )

“Candle #2” - from Fred Showker and DesignWorks™. Original clip art images or custom graphics created specifically for Mac users. A portion of the proceeds from this collection go to the benefit of the Johnny Appleseed Awards and Grants program. DesignWorks™ disks come complete with disk jacket and printed catalog for as low as $19.99 per disk. For Logo conversions, custom graphics, or a complete catalog Call 703-433-1527. DesignWorks™ is a trademark of Showker Graphic Arts & Design. Toll Free THIS IS NOT Public Domain! It is a sample from DesignWorks™ for use by Mac Users, through the Mug News Service, AOL ONLY! Showker Graphic Arts ©1988, 89 All rights reserved! U.S. & Canada (NOT to be re-sold or reproduced1-800-895-GEAR(4327) by EduCorp, BudgetBytes, etc! ) PACIFIC NET & TWINE LTD. 3731 Moncton Street, Steveston, B.C. V7E 3A5 Phone: (604) 274-7238 Fax: (604) 271-2914 Website: pacificnetandtwine.com BRANCH STORES: PARKSVILLE: 250-248-6953 PRINCE RUPERT: 250-627-1770

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 FEATURE 11 Setting a new course, following an old path For Dennis Brown, life after the fishing industry meant going back to his art — but he hasn’t given up on organizing

By Sean Griffin time as I started working for the union.” he says. “I’d paint and go nside the high-ceiling room to classes a couple of nights a of what looks like an indus- week, just to balance things out.” trial building, a knot of peo- For about four years, he says, “I I ple has gathered, listening immersed myself in everything I intently to the man speaking to could learn: drawing, anatomy, them. His tall, slim figure stands painting techniques — all of it.” out in the group and his angular Many of the etchings he did at face is animated as he talks, cap- that time are still up in fishermen’s turing attention even from those homes. One of them graces the who may not have come here to cover of a volume of poetry, listen. Some know him, but for Quitting Time, published by log- those who don’t, the name is on ger and seiner Mark Warrior. the card he’s handing out: Dennis Interestingly enough, that full- Brown. immersion education started in Fifteen years ago, the scene the same place that now houses his could have been at the boatshed in small studio — an old building on Annieville or the Ocean Fish one of the grittier parts of Main floats on the Prince Rupert water- Street, a block down from the front. But this is the Eastside Ivanhoe, for years a favourite log- Culture Crawl — a three-day fes- gers’ watering hole. At that time, tival of visual artists across East the studio space was called Basic Vancouver. And there aren’t any Inquiry and it was run by the N boats or fishermen, just a wall and Vancouver Life Drawing Society. I F F I easels hung with paintings and a It has now moved up the street but R G

building filled with artists’ stu- as Brown points out, Vancouver is N A E dios. the only city besides New York S – O

Clearly, life — and work — for where artists can go and work on T O H

Dennis Brown is a long way from life drawing seven days a week. P

N what it was in the fishing industry. A M

On a Tuesday afternoon, he’s Leaving the industry R E H S not working, having logged long In 1997, after more than a I F hours during the festival. But his decade as an organizer and vice- DENNIS BROWN...in his artist’s studio on Vancouver’s Main Street. work is all around us: a large land- president of the UFAWU-CAW, scape from Laris Lake in Banff Brown took a post with the gov- niques that painters have used to been able to pay my share of the “I think everybody got a lesson National Park, another of a ernment of Premier Glen Clark, achieve certain effects.” mortgage and other expenses. I in what it means to fight city hall,” stream near Banff, a small print of working as special fisheries advi- don’t sponge off my wife,” he he says adding that the campaign Rice Lake in the North Shore sor to the premier, focussing on Landscape images laughs. Actually, his wife Kathy, a was like many in his life — an mountains. And don’t let anyone the salmon treaty. That ended Some of his landscape work is registered nurse, is “terrific — my uphill battle. think that this is the work of some- with Clark’s resignation in 2001 reminiscent of the Group of biggest fan,” he says. In the end, the developer- one who just decided to give up his and Brown spent most of the next Seven and Tom Thomson, an Brown says he did fairly well dominated council was prepared day job and dabble in paints. four years working on his book, influence he embraces, both artis- last year, but adds that “no one to approve the project, but the These paintings are good, many Salmon Wars, published in 2005. tically and philosophically. He knows what’s going to happen artists did force the developer to of them strikingly so. But how did “At that point, with the calami- points out that the Group of now with the economy going make alternative space available he get to this place from the union ty having already hit the industry,” Seven artists saw themselves com- where it is.” Still, he says: and to ensure that the new site hall? he says, “I had to decide what I was ing from a tradition where art was “Whatever happens, I’m not would be re-zoned for artists’ stu- going to do. I went through a lot accessible to working people and going back from it.” dios. The downside is that the A family tradition of ideas but finally you yield to the images familiar. rents will be more than twice what “I was always drawing as a kid what you really want to do. And “I’m drawn to the land, to the Still organizing they have been at 901 Main and — it’s always been part of my life,” painting was what I’d really want- water and reflections,” he says. “I And if he’s left the union mem- many artists, including Brown, Brown says, looking back at events ed to do for a long time.” also do a lot of my work outside.” bership vouchers behind, he will probably have to look for that brought him to this place. He started out painting at On one occasion, working up at hasn’t left organizing behind. Two cheaper space elsewhere. “My mother was an artist and one home, but decided a couple of Moraine Lake in the Rockies, he years ago, a major developer, “But that new site wouldn’t of my Dad’s friends was a well- years ago to take the Main Street was so engrossed in painting that Amacon, bought the building have happened if we hadn’t known Canadian painter, Arnold studio when space became avail- he became hypothermic and housing the studios at 901 Main mounted the campaign,” he says. Burrell. Back in those days, able because it meant he could couldn’t get the numbness out of and applied for a development “That campaign ensured that Arnold went fishing with my Dad leave his work up on the easel and his feet for three days. permit to turn the site into high- artists will get the benefit.” while he put himself through art return to it. And since he was able As for most artists, it’s been a end apartments, including a top- In the meantime, he’ll keep school.” to devote all his attention to paint- tough slog, but he has begun to see floor penthouse. When the 31 working in the studio as long as he Still, Brown didn’t do anything ing, he once again has focussed on more of his paintings sell, espe- artists in the building got eviction can and then look for another much with that background until perfecting techniques and honing cially with the Culture Crawl fes- notices in August, 2007, one of place. Wherever it is, he plans to years later. his skill. tival bringing thousands of people them approached Brown to help continue working on his art, walk- “I started to get serious about “I’m old school that way,” he to artists’ studios. organize a campaign against evic- ing a path that he set himself on a it back in the ‘80s, about the same says, “I want to learn all the tech- Does he make a living? “I’ve tion. He did. long time ago.

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 12 FISHERIES Season’s Greetings Mixed fisheries STRYKER Electronics Ltd. not a factor in 6710 Hardy Bay Road Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 NavNet 1824C radar sockeye decline Tel: 250-949-8022 • Display 10.4” LCD Fax: 250-949-8077 • Power output: 2.2 kW Salmon commission responds to • 18” radome Toll-free: 1-888-839-8022 • Range: 24 nautical miles IUCN threatened sockeye report E-mail: [email protected] he Pacific Salmon In particular, it recommended Commission has chal- fishing pressure be shifted from Buyers and Sellers of New & Used Marine Electronics lenged the findings of a “coastal and lower river locations T report by the to more terminal, upriver loca- International Union for the tions to prevent mixed stock fish- Wealth for your retirement - Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ery effects on small, unproductive , which warned in October that populations.” one-quarter of the world’s sock- The report was picked up by Jobs for BC. eye salmon face extinction and conservation groups in B.C., listed many of the sockeye popu- including the David Suzuki lations in B.C. as threatened. Foundation and Watershed The Working Opportunity Fund And whatever reasons there Watch, which echoed the call for may be for recent declines in reductions in fishing pressure. offers investors: some B.C. sockeye runs, mixed But “mixed stock harvest rates stock fishing is not one of them, are not the cause of recent s Up to $1,500 in tax credits the PSC said in a response to the declines” in some sockeye runs, report issued Nov. 13. the PSC emphasized in its Nov. 13 s An investment for your RRSP The IUCN report, released response. “During the period of The satisfaction of helping to create October 6, placed sockeye on the the IUCN assessment, total fish- s Red List of threatened species. It ery exploitation rates have been well-paying jobs in BC acknowledged that world-wide, halved (averaging less than 40 per sockeye was not threatened but cent since 1995) relative to the identified 12 out of 33 B.C. pop- historical values in response to WIN $2,500 ulations as vulnerable, endan- declining returns,” it said. gered or critically endangered. “Exploitation rates on many of the visit Another six were listed as “data stocks identified as declining by www.growthworks.ca/sweepstakes deficient.” the IUCN have followed a similar Significantly, in outlining rea- pattern or been even lower. sons for recent declines in sock- “These harvest reductions Tax credits are subject to certain conditions. eye the report made no mention effectively ruled out mixed stock Investments in WOF have restrictions on resale and redemption. Commissions, trailing of threats to freshwater habitat — harvest rates as a key factor in the commissions, management fees and expenses including the impact of logging recent declines of Fraser River all may be associated with retail venture and mining activity, as well as sockeye populations,” the PSC capital fund (RVC) purchases. Please read the agriculture, urban development said. prospectus before investing. RVCs are not and fish farming. Instead, it A graph published with the guaranteed, their values change frequently focussed on the effects of over- PSC paper showed harvest rates and past performance may not be repeated. fishing and enhancement activity. dropping sharply after 1995 in response to reduced run sizes. Escapements since 1996 have also constituted a higher percentage of total run size than ever before. Fish Safe Stability Education Program The PSC paper noted that Transport Canada and WorkSafeBC require that commercial fishermen there has already been a major understand the stability characteristics of their vessel and develop shift from coastal fisheries to procedures to minimize or remove potential threats to stability. The Fish Safe upriver fisheries. “Fraser River course has been designed to help fishermen meet these requirements. First Nations have increased from an average of five per cent of the Take advantage of this hands-on, relevant and practical 4 day course. total catch prior to 1995 to an Organize a group of 8 or more and receive a Mustang Hydro-static Inflatable average of 31 per cent since 1995,” PFD! it stated. Since the decline in sock- Upcoming Scheduled* Courses include: eye since 1995 has taken place at Richmond Vancouver Island Prince Rupert the same time as that shift in fish- ing pressure, it’s unlikely that a Dec. 2-5 Dec. 9-12 Comox Dec. 9-12 further shift would do anything to Jan. 6-9 Dec. 16-19 French Creek Jan. 20-23 increase sockeye abundance. Feb. 17-20 Jan. 13-16 Nanaimo The PSC paper acknowledged that several populations of Fraser March 3-6 Feb. 3-6 Campbell River sockeye represent conservation Feb. 10-13 French Creek concerns — including Early and Feb. 24-27 Sooke/Victoria Late Stuart and Widgeon, as well as Cultus sockeye, which is listed *If you prefer another date or venue, both can be arranged on request, as endangered — and that policies with a group of 8. have been developed to protect Registration fee for 4-day course is $168. Need your MEDA3? Add it on for them. But it questioned some of $150 the IUCN listings, noting that the Sign up now! Registration limited to 10 per course. assessments were based on On line: www.fishsafebc.com declines from recent high escape- ment figures, rather than longer Call: 604-261-9700 term historical averages. “We Email: [email protected] have pointed these issues out to the IUCN assessors...” the PSC said.

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 FISHERIES 13 East coast shrimp first to reach MSC New ways of managing bycatch key for west coast shrimpers to get certification ne thing that has is a demand for them. Perhaps hoods of other fishermen. There somewhat muddy taste. Cut off plagued the shrimp permission could be given to try is a possible market in areas where the head and gut them, roll them by trawl fishery is the public sales on an experimental Asian consumers make up a large in seasoned flour and put them in O bycatch of non-tar- basis. part of public fish sales, since they a pan with oil. When they’re done, geted species. Even though the If it were to be treated as a new want to have access to different the bones go soft and they can be fishery on the Pacific Northwest fishery, as some have suggested, varieties of seafood and are famil- eaten whole. Eelpouts are thought coast has been seen as one of the what would the harvest method iar with how to prepare them. to the related to the true cods, cleanest shrimp fisheries in the be? Whatever the method, would Allowing fishermen to sell them with soft fin rays and no scales and world, we have yet to achieve the shrimp then become a bycatch would certainly help small boat a tasty flesh. Marine Stewardship Council’s discard, contributing to more operators offset some of the rising Managing the bycatch with the (MSC) certification as a sustain- waste? costs in the fishery today. shrimp fleet would not only put able and well-managed fishery. Since eelpouts are easily One of the easiest ways to pre- more seafood on the dock, it Our shrimpers have worked caught in shrimp trawls and are pare eelpouts is to fry them. They might help us achieve MSC certi- very hard to reduce the bycatch of currently not targeted in any should first be well washed, either fication, as it did for our counter- both non-targeted species and Shrimp other fishery, taking them would with salt or even soap to get rid of parts south of the 49th Parallel in those targeted by other fisheries, not have any impact on theliveli- the protective slime, which has a Oregon. including hake, cod, pollock, Joe Bauer rockfish, as well as eulachon, which are so valued by First are bound to fall through the Nations. But bycatch is still the cracks. issue flagged by the MSC. A case in point is eelpouts, a Recently Oregon shrimpers species that is not the target of any received MSC certification based existing fishery, but is a routine on an acceptable level of bycatch bycatch in shrimp trawls simply and now our east coast brothers because of the size factor. Any and sisters in Newfoundland and gear that takes shrimp also takes Labrador have achieved a eelpouts, since they inhabit the Canadian first with their MSC same benthic region and are of certification for northern shrimp, similar size. or Pandalus borealis, which is They also behave much like caught off their coast. It’s also one shrimp in the net and bycatch of the shrimp we catch on this grids rather than pelagic finfish. coast, except now Newfoundland Pelagics use the water hydraulics N

fishermen will be the first to pro- created by the catch in the cod end I F F I

vide a Canadian source for shrimp portion of the trawl where the grid R G

bearing the coveted blue MSC is placed for the best efficiency N A E ecologo. and are able to swim just ahead of S – O

Bycatch — non-targeted the grid, moving slowly upwards T O species taken in a fishery designed following the inclined angle of the H P

N

to catch another species — is an grid before moving out through A M issue for most fisheries. For exam- the fisheye above. But eelpouts, in R E H S

ple, finfish that would later be part my experience, attempt to escape I F of a targeted fishery as mature fish through the mesh or the grid spac- STEVESTON PUBLIC SALES DOCK... allowing sales of eelpout bycatch could benefit are caught in shrimp trawls as ings where they’re caught. I’ve shrimpers without any impact on other fisheries. juveniles. Rockfish, ling cod, had them in almost every mesh in sablefish and skate that are the the cod end just ahead of the catch mainstay of other targeted fish- on some sets. eries can become bycatch in the Why can’t we use eelpout, an Season’s Greetings halibut longline fishery. unavoidable bycatch, as a species Managing bycatch is aimed at for sale instead of having to throw protecting the viability of other them back dead after pulling them fisheries and the biomass of the through the mesh? The Chinese supporting species. customers do ask for them and But no matter how well we they are used in many other parts plan those strategies, protecting of the world. The fishermen at the the biomass and managing the Steveston Public Sales Float harvesting sectors, some species would like a chance to see if there

WE WISH TO THANK ALL FISHERMEN FOR THEIR SUPPORT THIS PAST YEAR. A A A A A A A A A A ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS IN THE NEW YEAR.

I Four marine ways, lifting capacity up to 800 tons I Blasting I Power Washing I Painting I Marine Repairs I CWB Certified Welders FRASER SHIPYARD and INDUSTRIAL CENTRE LTD. 61 DUNCAN STREET Tel: 604-540-1699 NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. V3M 5G3 Fax: 604-540-1677 THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER 2008 14 BOOKS BOOKS SPECIAL OFFER for UFAWU-CAW members Building boats and bridges The Women’s TRAGEDY AT SECOND Now Eric Jamieson, an author matic event. NARROWS. BY Eric and historian, has changed that If some readers find the the Auxiliary Jamieson. Harbour with his new book Tragedy at author’s details of the the engi- Cookbook Publishing, 2008. Second Narrows. Looking back neering of bridge building and the More than 500 from the 50th anniversary, he testimony of royal commissions a Despite having taken place a recreates the haunting events of bit dense at times, they can skim heritage recipes half century ago, the tragic col- that day, June 17, 1958, and the through it without losing the nar- from around the lapse of the Second Narrows dramatic days and months that rative — Jamieson’s account of fishing industry. Bridge during followed, including a protracted Vancouver’s worst-ever industrial construction is royal commission of inquiry that accident makes compelling read- Now in its third still a time- finally laid the blame on a junior ing, even without all the back- reprinting. marking event engineer’s error and the failure of ground. Dozens of photographs for generations both the bridge and engineering woven into the text help bring the Reg price $10 of British companies to check the plans. Into events and the people to life. Special $5, Columbians. the story Jamieson brings a broad plus postage Every year a cast of characters, including the LEGACY IN WOOD. memorial pays tribute to the 18 politicians, the ironworkers and By Ryan Wahl. Harbour To order, contact: men who died, as a procession, led the engineers, and a wealth of Publishing, 2008. by a piper, winds its way down background detail, helping to Helen O’Shaughnessy, from the hill above to the bridge make this book a solid piece of When the Mifflin Plan cut a UFAWU-CAW Seniors’ Club deck. But the full story of the col- investigative journalism rather swath through the west Coast 604-254-4180 lapse has never been told. than just a news piece about a dra- fishing fleet more than a decade ago, it took with it much of the industry’s heritage. Dozens of wooden boats from all three gears that had been a familiar site in Rivers Inlet or the floats in Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, were taken out of the fleet, their licences retired and their days of fishing done. Many still remain, of course, a tribute to the skill of their builders, but the tradition of nearly a century of boat-building is now less and less visible. Of all the wooden builders on the coast — and there were many — few have had the cachet of the Wahl Boatyard in Dodge Cove, across the harbour from Prince Rupert. Founded by Norwegian immigrant Øystein (Ed) Wahl in a makeshift yard in Port Essington in 1924, the Wahl family boat- builders went on to build com- mercial fishboats for nearly 70 years, including one of the last wooden fishing boats built on the coast, the troller Legacy, complet- ed in the Wahl Boatyard in 1990. At one point, the family even expanded to a second yard — the Prince Rupert Boatyard in Fairview Bay — that opened in 1959 and carried out repair work in addition to building new ves- sels. In Legacy in Wood, Ryan Wahl, the great-grandson of Ed Wahl, traces the family’s business through three generations of family members, as well as the crews that helped the boatyards turn out graceful, reliable boats — seiners, gillnetters, trollers, pack- ers and halibut longliners. Some were even fished by members of the Wahl family. Legacy in Wood is illustrated throughout with photos and side- bar stories of boats, such as the Ocean Roamer, Predator and Miss Janine, that have become part of the historic landscape of the B.C. fishing industry.

THE FISHERMAN, DECEMBER, 2008 15 CLASSIFIEDS • PHONE 604-833-8942 MINIMUM INSERTION: TWO LINES $15.00. EACH ADDITIONAL LINE $1.00. PHONE FOR DEADLINES. ADS MAY BE MAILED TO: THE FISHERMAN, 1ST FLOOR, 326–12TH STREET, NEW WESTMINISTER, B.C. V3M 4H6 FULL PAYMENT MUST BE ENCLOSED

ACCOMMODATIONS ENGINES FOR SALE ENGINES FOR SALE SERVICES OFFERED SERVICES OFFERED

STEVESTON MARINE SERVICES. LARKINS MARINE Caterpillar marine engine sales. D343, SURVEYORS LTD. Shaughnessy 365HP, CW 514 3116 TA 300HP and 350HP Peter Larkins, Captain fxtáÉÇËá ZÜxxà|Çzá “A home away models 3208. Used, rebuilt and new. 604- Season’s Greetings • Condition & Evaluation Village from home” 274-9825. CALDWELL & CO. • Pre-purchase & insurance Maritime and Fisheries Law Canada’s Largest GANNET DIESEL • DFO measurements • Fisheries Act violations Bed & Breakfast Guest House SERVICE LTD. • Underwater Surveys with Video • Vessel transfers and mortgages Practical & Beautiful 604-940-1221 Fax: 604-940-1275 • Insurance claims, incoporations • Arrest and seizure of vessels Hotel Style Services Season’s Greetings Shop and Field Work 5827 Crescent Drive, Delta V4K 2E7 Competitive Rates e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 604-689-8894 Fax: 604-689-5739 December rents from ᳦ 401–815 Hornby St. Vancouver B.C. V6Z 2E6 $39.95 TO $106.95 DAILY Detroit Diesel Engines • Twin Disc Gears www.admiraltylaw.com/fisheries/bradcv.htm (FULL BREAKFAST) • Factory-trained From $945 MONTHLY VOLVO PENTA ENGINES, gears and SANTOS & CO. (10 FULL BREAKFASTS) Detroit Diesel mechanic includes: • Fully furnished outdrives — new & quality used parts. Certified General Accountants • Private Bath & Balcony Interstate batteries. Racor & Dahl fuel Also available — used engine parts, • Accounting, Auditing CAPTAIN • Micro • Fridge • Cable filters. Discount pricing. • Colour TV • Health Club exchange components, filters. • Income tax, personal and corporate GEORGE W. BARBER • Pool • Tan Bed • Business consulting COMPASS ADJUSTER INC. Licensed Restaurant J.D.R. MARINE SERVICES Phone: 604-275-3797 • Fish Boat Owners Beauty Salon Bldg. 32–12740 Trites Road 201— 5262 Rumble Street, Burnaby Serving Most Mainland and Island Ports Pager: 604-631-0759 Up-To-Date Technology A POPULAR STOPOVER FOR Richmond, B.C. V7E 3R8 Ph: 604-430-1661 FISHERMEN, SAILORS, Tel: 604-275-1885 Fax: 604-275-2448 202–19379 Enterprise Way Ph: 604-941-2231 (24 hours) UBC STUDENTS, VGH NURSES Surrey, B.C. V3S 6J8 Fax: 604-430-1541 “NO MORE LONELY TIMES”

Call 604-736-5511 24 hours POPEYE’S SAILORS’ EXCHANGE 1125 W. 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. Visit our Website: www.shaughnessyvillage.com Used and New Marine Equipment E-mail: [email protected] MARINE CONSIGNMENTS Popeye’s Sailors Exchange at Mosquito Creek Marina GEAR WANTED (3 blocks west of Seabus) A very happy holiday season North Vancouver WANTED USED GN WEB. Phone Gordon Hannay at Paramount netshed 604-241- Phone: 604-986-6666 5598. (51 Bewicke Avenue) to all our clients and friends

W.E. Travel — your union Allan Pankratz choice in travel services Duncan McCrindell Call 604-253-5585 toll-free 1-800-663-4703 300–900 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1E5 Tel: 604-871-5355 Fax: 604-877-4963 NEWCASTLE BOAT

BRCommercialOKERS and pleasure LTD. boats Commercial licences 250-753-2626 Fax: 250-753-2620 1300 Stewart Avenue, Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 4E1 www.newcastleboatbrokers.com email: [email protected] Merry Christmas Season’s Greetings 1-800-656-1466 and a safe, healthy MIDWATER & BOTTOM TRAWLS • OTTER & BEAM SHRIMP TRAWLS Doors • Warps • Rockhopper Gear • Repairs Rope • Netting • Twine • Hardware WIRE ROPE & SPLICING for bridles, rigging, anchor and boom winches and prosperous New Year CANTRAWL NETS LTD. Call 604-270-6387 Fax: 604-270-2527 140-6660 Graybar Rd. Richmond, B.C. to all shoreworkers, tendermen and fishermen Wishing you all a prosperous 2009 Commercial Fishing Supplies from the Director, staff and Board of Trustees Port Coquitlam • Steveston • Campbell River • Port Hardy UNITED FISHERMEN’S AND SHOREWORKERS’ BENEFIT FUNDS REDDEN First Floor, 326–12th Street REDDEN NET CO. LTD. New Westminster B.C. V3M 4H6 TOLL-FREE 1-800-667-9455 Port Coquitlam Tel:604-519-3644 Fax: 604-524-6944 1-866-233-1422 Steveston • 1-250-286-1038 Campbell River UFBF and SWBF bylaws now available by e-mail. Contact us at [email protected]

UFAWU 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE FISHERMAN DECEMBER 2008 1616

Happy holidays to all our customers and friends Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

CS INSULATIONS #107 – 42 Fawcett Rd. C.P. LECKIE LTD. Coquitlam, BC V3K 6X9 Toll-free 1-800-672-1804 • Tel: 604-272-1804 • Fax: 604-272 9151 Tel: (604) 540-2099 Unit #4, 12491–No. 2 Road, Richmond, BC V7E 2G3 Fax: (604) 540-2098 Email: [email protected] www.HEAT-SHIELD.com

Season’s Greetings Salmon and Herring Gillnets direct from Nagaura Net Co. Season’s Greetings Trolling gear, Longline gear

Mits Fishing Supply Ltd. to all B.C. fish harvesters Tel: 604-291-9699 Fax: 604-291-6002 [email protected] 1-888-491-9699 Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday B.C. COUNCIL OF PROFESSIONAL FISH HARVESTERS Season’s PO Box 205, Parkesville, British Columbia V9P 2H4 tings 1-800-818-7706 Gree to our many YOU’REINGOODHANDS. customers and friends! B.C.’S BEST SMALL SHIPYARD With G&F Financial Group, you’re in good hands. Whether 41ST AVENUE JUTTFSWJDFTGPSZPVSTNBMMCVTJOFTT BlOBODJBMQMBO 604.437.4774 TOM-MAC SHIPYARD GPSZPVSSFUJSFNFOUPSUIFlSTUBDDPVOUGPSZPVSUPEEMFS  CLOVERDALE 604.575.3900 experiencethecreditunionadvantage.Weoffer A COMPLETE MARINE FLEETWOOD SERVICE • Mortgages, Loans and Lines of Credit 604.599.6177 FACILITY 17011 RIVER ROAD RICHMOND • Personal and Small Business Banking HASTINGS CALL US FOR • High Interest Savings 604.254.9811 A FREE ESTIMATE 604-278-1516 • Investment Advisory Services KINGSWAY AND SUGGESTIONS Fax: 604-278-1402 • Insurance services 604.521.2315 * R

MAIN STREET a t e

604.879.7131 s s u

NEW WEST b Season’s Greetings j e

604.526.2122 c t t o

NORDEL c h

604.507.8688 a n g e

PORT COQUITLAM . S

604.941.8300 o m

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d and the i t i

SOUTHPOINT o n

604.528.8383 s Pacific Coast m

STEVESTON a y Sustainable Fisheries Society 604.271.5911 a p

p would like to thank all our customers for their l y Drop by for a visit today! VISIT GFFG.COM . generous support over the past five years.

All the best to you and your loved ones this holiday season. Please note that we will not be holding our annual Solidarity Salmon sale this Christmas because the From all of us at product is no longer available from our supplier. The proceeds over the years have benefitted PCFS community projects and we have been proud to have been associated with those efforts.