Fisheries Envoy Holding Community Meetings to Discuss Options for Flexible Marketing: Cox

Press Release

November 4, 2016

The fisheries envoy and the Manitoba government are planning community meetings to obtain input from fishers and other stakeholders on the transition from the current system to flexible markets, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox announced today.

“We know fishers have many great ideas about how they can independently market their own harvest and we want to hear from them,” said Cox.  “These meetings will be an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to come together and share their ideas with the fisheries envoy about how we can move this process forward and create a strong marketing system.”

Signature Mediation is the fisheries envoy and will be developing the process allowing Manitoba fishers to have alternatives to the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) and independently market their harvest, the minister noted.

The fisheries envoy is responsible for consulting commercial fishing communities, Indigenous groups and businesses to identify important issues and opportunities.  Community meetings will be held on:

• Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Burntwood Hotel (Minor Room) in Thompson;
• Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chamber in Leaf Rapids;
• Nov. 16 at 1p.m. at the Fisherman’s Co-op Building in Norway House;
• Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at Chief Peter Beardy Memorial Center in Grand Rapids;
• Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Community Hall in Gypsumville;
• Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Wescana Inn Banquet Room in The Pas;
• Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Super 8 in Swan River;
• Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Community Hall in Eddystone;
• Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Community Hall in St. Laurent; and
• Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Waterfront Centre in Gimli.

Planning is also underway for meetings in Berens River, Poplar River and Island Lake.

In addition, the fisheries envoy will:

• identify new regulations, policies and systems needed to establish the new marketing system;
• establish a process for effective and sustainable fisheries management, such as catch and sales reporting requirements; and
• make contact with private-sector interests wanting to develop local fish-processing facilities or marketing co-operatives.

A final report with recommendations is due next spring, the minister said.

For additional information, including up-to-date meeting times and locations, visit:
www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/waterstewardship/fish/fish_envoy.html.

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