Saskatchewan co-operative bidding on Winnipeg fish processing plant

Northern fish harvesters, Metis and First Nation leaders say they're working together to protect inland fisheries and have plans to buy a fish processing plant.

The Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd. (SCFL) represents more than 40 local fish harvesting co-operatives across the north. The group is part of a bid proposal to buy the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corp. (FFMC) in Winnipeg, Man.  

"We all have a common goal to save that plant in Winnipeg but to run it ourselves, so there is an open bidding process … run by the feds," said SCFL president Joan Beatty.

FFMC, the primary marketing agency for freshwater fish in Western and Northern Canada, has been operated by the federal government as a Crown corporation since 1969. It has claimed to be the world’s largest supplier of wild-caught walleye, lake whitefish, mullet and Northern pike. 

The group is taking on 12 other bidders, including a company from Egypt, Beatty said.

Its members have lobbied the provincial and federal government to get their bid accepted. It is currently working to finalize details needed to secure the purchase of the plant.

"We were always thinking about that local fisher, keeping that fishing going, teaching the kids to make sure that it's passed down but also making money," said Beatty, whose parents were commercial fish harvesters from Deschambault Lake.

The SCFL says the elimination of freight subsidies in 2012 made it difficult for fish harvesters to remain economically viable. High transportation costs have added significantly to the expenses of fish harvesters at remote lakes such as Reindeer Lake, Wollaston and Lake Athabasca.

The SCFL is hosting two days of meetings March 10-11 in Prince Albert to discuss the future of the  Winnipeg fish processing plant, sustainability and how the industry can move forward. Fish harvesters from local co-operatives from across the north will be in attendance.

Beatty says they are interested in expanding the freshwater fish market and are even discussing how to use byproducts such as fish skins for pet food.

"Today's a great day for our people, for our people to gain the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, said Barry Carriere from Cumberland House Cree Nation. "It's such an honour for me to be part of it, you know, as a commercial fisherman, living that way of life. The fishermen are still there, we're not going anywhere."

Carriere, who began his career as a commercial fish harvester at 14 when he inherited his father's commercial fishing licence, equipment and camp, says fish harvesting is part of a traditional Cree way of life.

Since the subsidy was cut he says he's had to take on other work to make a living. He uses the  camp to teach youth about hunting, trapping, fishing and culture.  

While he's seen many fish harvesters give up their commercial harvesting licence since he began fishing, he's optimistic new markets people will bring new people to the industry. The prospect of the local co-operatives buying the fish plant in Winnipeg gives him hope.