Old Timer's Craft 2L*Jfi£lr££
las? fall in Welcome Pass. Hans is one of the oldest members of the Union and one of the real old timers on the Naas River. He now lives at South Westminster. The picture was taken by Bob Breaks, gillnetter "Sea Fury," who is also a UFAWU member.
Opinion Asked On '55
60 Mesh Gillnets Continue for 1954
Fishery Regulations for 1954 will permit general use throughout the British Columbia salmon fishery of gillnets having a maximum depth of 60 meshes. Announcement to this effect jvas made last Friday by Fisheries Minister James Sinclair at Vancouver. Opposition to any action this
year had been expressed by the UFAWU through its Standing Committee on Fishery Regulations during meetings with the Fisheries Association and the federal fisheries department.
Special representations by fishing companies had been made to the Department of Fisheries last month for bringing into effect immediately a regulation limiting the depth of salmon gillnets to not more than 50 meshes. In addition to a substantial saving in the cost of nets, it was urged that in view of the current changeover from linen to nylon gillnets and the greater efficiency of the latter, nets of the lesser depth would be the means of bringing about less restrictive measures in the interests of conservation in the way of weekly close seasons, etc.
However, Mr. Sinclair said that a large number of 60-mesh nets had been ordered and were already made up and any change of depth measurement for 1954 would obviously work considerable hardship on many gillnetters-1 who had 60-mesh nets on hand or who had placed orders for them. This was the position put before the min
Hie fisherman
Representing the Organized Fishermen and Shorewor\ers of British Columbia
VOL. XVI No. 2
VANCOUVER, B.C., JANUARY 12, 1954
Price: 5 Cents
Convention Opens March 8
UFAWU Call Goes Out, Warns of Critical Times
The Tenth Annual Convention of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union will open Monday, March 8 in the Fishermen's Hall, Vancouver "in what could be an extremely critical year for the union as a whole," according to the Convention Call which has gone out to more than a score of Locals and sub-locals. It is expected that Locals will be
SPECIAL MEET
Quathiaski Local
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 2 p.m. Trade Union Hall Campbell River BUSINESS:
* Proposed Fishery Regulations
• Convention Call, Resolutions Report of Trial Committee
All members urged to attend
sending their full quota of dele gates to this important convention. A result, more than 100 UFAWU members will likely be in attendance at the week-long meeting.
The Convention Call points out that "During the past eight months, our organization has been attacked by the Executive Council of the Trades and Labor Congress and an arbitrary suspension order issued without any charges or hearing prior to the order.
"This was followed almost immediately by an unprecedented raiding campaign conducted by U.S.-controlled Seafarers' International Union. This strike-breaking outfit used the time worn methods of smear and slander and outright falsehood in an attempt to take over the membership of our Union. It should be noted that their first attempt was very strongly repulsed in all Locals and to date they have made no progress whatsoever.
"Nevertheless, we must at this time warn against any complacency inasmuch as the attack will undoubtedly be renewed during 1954 negotiations.
"We call upon all Locals to maintain the spirit of unity, the kind of unity which is based on full and frank discussion of all issues and democratic methods in arriving at all decisions.
"Our Convention will also be
VANCOUVER LOCAL MEETING All Net Fishermen
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
7:30 P.M.
FISHERMEN'S HALL 138 EAST CORDOVA ST.
BUSINESS: Proposed Fishery Regulations.
Fraser Council Hits Commission Proposals
Strong opposition to the closure regulations drafted for Canada by the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission which provide only 48 hours closure in Areas 19, 20, 21, and 23 and closures ister bv the Union committee on' up to 100 hours in District 1 plus a complete closure after September
behalf of gillnet fishermen.
1<5 has been expressed by an enlarged meeting of the Fraser River
Salmon gillnetters generally \ District Council.
throughout the province were opposed to any immediate change.
Mr. Sinclair explained that the industry had been asked for opinion as to invoking the 50-mesh maximum depth commencing 1955; and the desirability of action to this end will be considered with-
The meeting, held Sunday at Sunbury with 40 delegates present from Fraser Locals opposed these closures "because they will result in extreme hardship on the majority of Canadian salmon fishermen."
Delegates present urged "more equality in closure regulations in
in the next few weeks by the De- order to bring about a division 0f partment.in the light of conserva- f catcn Detween Canadian seiners
and gillnetters on a per man basis. Even though the Commission has always claimed it has no powers to divide the Canadian catch, we must insist that the Commission assume responsibility for the effect of its conservation measures. We will not support regulations The first contract has been sign- which do not recognize the need ed under an Anglo-Canadian "link | to protect Canadian gillnetters." purchase" scheme designed to, Action by the meeting followed boost British purchases of British: a report on the proposed regula-Columbia salmon, according to a! tions for tne 1954 season from
tion needs and the views of the in dustry generally.
Welsh Plate For B.C. Cans
Canadian Press report last week.
A spokesman for British Columbia House in London said the contract is for delivery to Vancouver of Welsh tinplate, which will be used for canning the 1954 salmon pack on the British Columbia coast.
The tinplate contract amounts to about $2 million. The B.C. industry made representations to the company from which it purchases its cans, to switch to the Welsh tinplate.
The "link purchase" plan, as outlined in London, represents something of an act of faith by Canadian fishing companies. Under the scheme, 14 firms have agreed to make a definite effort to switch from U.S. to British sources for purchases of certain equipment such as winches, engines, nets and lines.
In return, the companies hope that Britain will respond by buying B.C. salmon.
If Britain does buy a substantial amount this year, her decision will probably be announced within the next three months. R. A. Butler Britain's chancellor of the exchequer, told a Canadian Press reporter recently that no decision has yet been taken.
Butler added, in what perhaps may be a pointer to Britain's ultimate decision, that the government was more concerned about the question of Canadian goodwill than about the amount of salmon available to British housewives.
UFAWU vice-president Pete Jene-wein who is also a member of the Commission's advisory board.
The delegates were deeply concerned over the increasing efficiency of the seine fleet operating in Juan de Fuca Straits. It was noted that in 1953 the seine fleet had taken 31% of the Canadian sock-eye run to the Fraser. If the trend continued the delegates were of the opinion that it would not be long before Canadian gillnetters in District No. 1 would be prevented from catching any portion of the Fraser sockeye runs.
Delegates noted that Fraser fishermen had a big stake in these runs. They had willingly accepted drastic closures in past years in order to build up the strength of these runs. Now—when the runs were improving the Commission regulations and special actions of the Federal Government in allowing longer seines, power skiffs, etc. — were combining to deprive the Fraser fishermen of their share of the sockeye harvest.
The delegates drew attention to the fact that between 1500 and 2000 gillnetters were mainly dependent on the Fraser salmon for their livelihood. There are about 500 seineboat fishermen operating about 60 boats in the Juan de Fuca Straits area. The size of this fleet could easily increase in 1954. In any event, they could not see why
a minority of fishermen should eT-weve 50.50 canada-u.sT division
get big catches under very favorable regulations while the big majority (the gillnet fleet) should get extremely small catches under heavy restrictions.
Council delegates were not trying to prevent Canadian seiners from earning a livelihood. They did feel there should be some form of quota system adopted whereby there would be a fairly even distribution of the catch between the two fleets.
They figured the fairest way would be to base the quota for each fleet on the total number of men involved. Thus, if there were 2,000 gillnetters and 1,000 seiners the division would be 66% % to gillnetters, one-third to the seiners. Or. if there were 500 seiners and 1,500 gillnetters, the division would be 25% to the seiners and 75% to the gillnetters.
Council delegates pointed out that severe restrictions in the Fraser Area were forcing more and more gillnetters to range into other areas. Thus they were cutting into the earnings of the main body of the Canadian seine fleet. They believe it is time the Commission paid more attention to the effect of regulations on the overall prob lems of Canadian fishermen.
The Commission will meet again early in February to hear the views of the fishermen. The Council elected Harold Wilcox of New Westminster, Hector Lasko of Steveston and Buck Suzuki of Sun-bury to accompany Pete Jenewein to the next Commission meeting.
The actual regulations proposed by the Commissions are as follows:
U.S. WATERS: 48 hr. weekly closure starting June 25 and extending to Sept. 6. Termination of sockeye season, Sept. 30. CANADIAN WATERS: Areas 19, 20. 21, 23—48 hr. weekly closure June 25 to Aug. 30. , Are*s IT, 18, District 1—
(a) 78 hr. weekly closure June 25 to Aug. 4; ,
(b) 96 hr. weekly closure Aug. 4 to Aug. 25;
(c) 78 hr. weekly closure following Aug. 25: .
(d) 48 hr. weekly closure Sept. 1 to Iff;
(e) Closure Sept. 16 until adequate escapement assured.
m Termination of sockeye season until October 16.
0 Weekly closures above Ppttulo Bridge will be extended by 4 hrs. 0 These regulations based on Adams R. run belr* 5 million flsh; If less, added closures possible; if more, mora fishing time possible.
Adjustments In times possible to help
meeting at a time when the big questions of trade are being discussed at all levels of Government," the Call continues. "Recent press reports indicate that many of the forces of big business are moving in the direction of opening up our markets with the British Commonwealth and also opening up trade with countries formerly blockaded by decision of the U.S. Government. It is more than ever clear that our past policies advocating barter trade, convertibility of sterling and trade with all countries regardless of their political systems is the correct one. However, it would appear that further representations will have to be made by organized labor if we are to prevent the growing stockpiles and mass layoffs from causing a major depression in Canada.
"Our Convention will also be meeting at a time when many changes are being proposed in fishery regulations which tend to create disunity and at the same time do not solve the overall problems of our industry. Instead of moving in the direction of fuller control of our off-shore waters, including Hecate Strait, and for treaties covering the pink salmon runs to the Fraser and toward a program of licence limitation, there have been authoritative voices in the Government stating that the main solution lies in greater efficiency and possibly the elimination of certain sections of the B.C. fishing fleet.
"There are many other problems facing the fishermen and allied workers and the working people generally which should be considered in drafting Convention resolutions.
"One of the chief* problems we fact is that of restrictive legislative measures contained in proposed Bill 7 and other attempts to destroy democracy in Canada. We would urge that all Locals give full attention to all these problems when preparing for the Convention. Our aim should be to have a Convention which will be fully united around a well-considered program of action designed to advance the best interests of our entire membership," the Call concludes.
Fraser Gillnetters Rap Sinclair EditorialiLine
Fraser River District Council delegates were strongly critical of ♦he "Sun" editorial of January 2, in which federal fisheries minister James Sinclair stressed the need to eliminate small gillnetters, advocated that Canadian salmon catches be made in salt water and said lower costs could best be achieved through using more modern and larger boats, and made other similar' remarks. The Council met last Sunday.
Delegates felt that Mr. Sinclair was entirely wrong in some of his statements and his general thesis. He advocated prosperity for fishermen through cutting down the number of fishermen.- At the same time, he said a policy of licence limitation would be harmful to some fishermen or potential fishermen.
Thus it appeared he would not mind a "survival of the fittest" race which would eliminate fishermen but would not consider a sensible program whereby a reduction of the number of fishermen would be achieved.
Regarding quality of salmon, delegates were quite disturbed by Mr. Sinclair's assumption that sockeye caught in the Fraser were half-dead and therefore an inferior product. They pointed out that biological tests conducted at the time of the Sloan Commission had proven that there was practically no difference in the quality of sockeye caught in salt water and those caught in the Fraser.
Delegates wanted to know why the Minister should speak of education, rather than Government intervention, when at the same time proposals are being advanced by the Department to close down a whole section of the Fraser River,
and to restrict the efficiency of gillnetters by regulation.
The Council unanimously went on record as being "opposed to the sentiment expressed in the Vancouver Sun editorial on January 2, 1954, quoting Mr. James Sinclair. We believe the policy of survival of the strong is not in the best interest to the fishing industry, but favor embarking on a policy of licence limitation and/or a sharing of catches between the different types of gear and Headquarters be asked to draft a policy statement and submit it to the Government and the Fisheries Department after it has been approved by the Union."
Homer Stevens, speaking on this statement by Sinclair made some pertinent remarks: J One of the biggest issues facing Cana'dian fishermen is that of trade policies which cause surpluses of canned salmon to pile up in Canadian warehouses. Last year Mr. Sinclair said barter trade was primitive—"for the Hottentots"— not for civilized people.
Today barter deals are nevertheless being worked out. Moreover, historic markets in Australia and
See SINCLAIR RAPPED—page 2
Support Board Survey Has Trial Run, Starts This Week
The Fisheries Prices Support Board investigation got under way this week on Monday but a test run had already been made to iron out any kinks in procedure.
At the request of the board last Thursday, the UFAWU contacted four fishermen who volunteered their services as "guinea pigs" to
Halibut Fleet Meets Over 1954 Regulations
i
Halibut fishermen are meeting in Vancouver this Wednesday evening to discuss proposals for changes in 1954 regulations which must be presented to the conference board and the halibut commission which meet January 26, 27, and 28 in Seattle.
According to Seattle Vessel Own
ers Association manager Harold Lokken, owners and fishermen at Seattle had already held meetings prior to December 11 and were recorded as favoring a split season in May and June with eight days fishing in Area 2 and 10 days fishing in Area 3 each month. Area 3 would open three days later than Area->2 in order to spread the fleet as much as possible.
Steveston fishermen met Janu; ary 5 at a special meeting to dis-cuss* this question and members present voted opposition to the split season idea. A brief is being prepared outlining the basis for this attitude and vice-president Harry Thompson was nominated to represent the Fraser River District Council at the Seattle conference board and commission meetings.
Steveston Cannery Labor
(cannery women, male general labor, watchmen) TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
8 P.M.
RED CROSS HALL
THIRD AVE., STEVESTON
Vancouver Shore Local
THURSDAY. JANUARY 21
8 P.M.
UNION HALL 138 EAST CORDOVA
• EVERY MEMBER OUT!
test out the questionnaire which will be answered by a cross section of the fleet during the next period of time.
The four volunteers were Don Taylor and Dave Lucas, gillnetters; Archie Kaario, troller, Harry Allison, seiner.
A letter, signed jointly by secretary Homer Stevens of the UFAWU, business agent Alfred Scow of the Native Brotherhood and secretary Harold Christensen of the Vessel Owners Association, will be sent to all fishermen chosen for the survey.
The department has 900 copies of the letter which reads as follows:
"The Fisheries Price Support Board has selected you as one of the commercial fishermen to be interviewed in connection with their current .survey. The survey was requested by the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union, the. Native Brotherhood of B.C. and the Fishing Vessel Owners' Association.
"The three organisations feel that such an investigation is necessary in order to determine the effect of lower fish prices on the incomes of commercial fishermen. Prices support legislation exists in Canada which could and should be used during crisis periods to maintain a reasonable income for fishermen.
"The three organisations therefore fully support the present survey and we ask you to cooperate fully with the Prices Support Board. You can rest assured that all information which you give will be kept strictly secret. We urge you to answer truthfully,'giving all the facts required.
"We trust you will realize the need for cooperation and that you will help make the survey a real success," the letter ends.