Thefuherm&n
Representing the Organized Fishermen of British Columbia
Vol. VI. No. 5.
(244) VANCOUVER, B.C., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1944
Broadway,
Prlntm Ltd.
Price: 5 Cents
Fishermen of the Gaspe Peninsula bring in annually more than 35 million pounds of cod fish to swell the food and medical supplies of the United Nations. A very young fisherman displays a prize catch at left; centre photo shows cod fillets being cured with salt in barrels.
Chemist at right is testing cod livers from which 75,000 gallons of cod liver oil are produced annually. Marketing through co-operatives is extensively developed amongst these fishermen.
No Decision Yet On Halibut Price Differential For Seattle Landings
Meetings were held in Seattle last Monday and Tuesday among representatives of halibut fishing interests, with the object of again making representations to the Office of Price Administration in the United States, in favor of increasing the ceiling price on halibut to producers for fish landed in Seattle. Previous recommendations made in December by the industry along the same lines have not as yet been acted upon by the O.P.A. A plan submitted during the*-
December meetings under which the OPA would be asked to increase the overall ceiling price on halibut a cent a pound, this one cent per pound being paid by the buy-
Natives Stage Short Strike To Gain Point
A brief work stoppage occurred at the beginning of last week at the Green Cove herring saltery, Barclay Sound, when about thirty Native men and women stopped work as a result of a dispute over wage payments. The workers were being paid $1.25 and $1.50 per barrel of herring in accordance with whether the herring in each barrel was classified as small or large. They complained that the classification was often arbitrary resulting in their being paid the lower price.
Organizer Andy Paull of the Native Brotherhood was contacted by the workers and he advised them to resume work while discussions were conducted with the management. After a visit to the saltery, an agreement was reached that all workers would be paid $1.50 per barrel irrespective of the size of the herring, retroactive to the day of the work stoppage. Andy Paull has now returned to Vancouver and together with other officers of the Brotherhood has opened negotiations with the cannery operators for an agreement to cover working conditions of Native women cannery workers for the coming season.
Fish Prices
Following wholesale fish prices obtained at Campbell Avenue Dock at Vancouver on February 7:
Vancouver
White Spring Salmon.............14c lb.
Red Spring Salmon ..................20c lb.
Flounders _____________2'/2C lb.
Soles __________________......___________.....6c lb.
Ling Cod Livers __________________1.00 lb.
Dogfish Livers ....................^....38c lb.
West Coast Cod ................12-14c lb.
Grey Cod Livers__________3c lb.
Fresh Grey Cod _____________________5c lb.
Seattle
Seattle fish prices for February 4 were as follows:
Ling Cod......_________........_________10c lb.
Soupfin Carcasses 8c lb.
Smelt 12c lb.
ers into a pool which would then be utilized by the fishermen to establish their own price differential structure for halibut landed in Seattle, has been turned down by Seattle fishermen, mainly due, it is believed, to dissension in regard to the division of the pool between Area 2 and 3 boats.
At last week's meeting representations were made to the OPA on behalf of the Alaska fleet, supported by fish buyers, to decrease the present differential existing under the OPA Order MP 418, allowing for water-borne freight costs to -railhead ports. This differential at present ranges from l%c per pound below the Prince Rupert producers' price for landings in Ketchikan, Wrangle, Petersburg, to 2c a pound in Pelican City, Juneau and Sitka. The proposal submitted to the OPA would reduce these charges for water-borne transportation to %c per pound.
The general consensus of opinion is that the OPA would be agreeable to a readjustment of the Alaska prices but it is highly uncertain at this time as to whether they will agree to establishing the proposed 3c per pound additional differential for Seattle landings.
The Seattle hearing was held by A. H. Harrison of the food section of the San Francisco regional office of price administration. The recommendations of the industry, composed by representative fishermen, boat owners and dealers, were forwarded to Washington. A decision is expected shortly.
As far as Canadian landings are concerned a price order establishing producers' ceilings for halibut as well for ling cod, black cod, etc., is expected to be released any day now by the Wartime Price and Trade Board and the text of the order will be printed in "The Fisherman" as soon as it is available.
BCFPA READY TO COME IN
News was received as we were going to press that an official communication has been received by the United Fishermen's Union from the B.C. Fishermen's Protective Association (BCFPA) requesting information on whether amalgamation of that body with the UFFU would be considered favorably and the terms under which such amalgamation could be accomplished.
This communication appreciably strengthens the hope that at the coming convention of the UFFU in March it will be possible to complete amalgamation of all Fishermen's unions in the province into a single united organization, with a single charter from the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada and with active flourishing locals at all fishing centres along the coast.
Yanks Project Big Catch For 1944 Fishing
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3. —The nation's fishing industry today had the assignment of bringing in 5,300,000,000 pounds of fish and shellfish in 1944—some 200,000,000 pounds more than produced in a single year.
The goal was announced at a meeting of industry representa tives called by Co-ordinator of Fisheries Harold L. Ickes. It would provide an average of 9.7 pounds of fish and shellfish for each American, as well as enough for the armed services and lend lease.
Ralph Olmstead, deputy administrator of the Food Distribution Administration, said that the amount set aside for each civilian was four pounds less than usual.
The 1944 goals included 858,000,-000 pounds of canned fish, 113,000,-000 pounds of cured products and 1,415,000,000 pounds of fresh and frozen fish.
B.C. Fish Meal Too Expensive For Hog Feeds
TORONTO, Feb. 1.—J. G. Davidson, feeds administrator for the Prices Board, said here last week that fish meal production has shown a substantial increase, especially on the Pacific Coast, but because of transportation costs British Columbia fish meal has been somewhat too expensive to use in manufacturing hog feeds.
When The King Goes Fishing, It's Too Bad For Fishermen
By GEORGE HETTNER
MEXICO CITY.—In the next session of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Garzo Senando will ask for an investigation of the activities of an immigrant who renders life more difficult for the fish ermen of the Gulf of Corto (lower California) and who makes fish an exorbitant luxury article for the Mexican population. This clparly unpopular immigrant is no less a personage than ex-king Carol of Rumania.
His attempts to set himself up as the leader of a Rumanian liberation movement, to speak through the radio to the American public and attract attention to himself through press conferences are not yet forgotten.
But he has every reason to keep in concealment as much as possible. As Crown-Prince he was the patron and protector of the "Archangel Michael," a fascist organization.
By a coup-d'etat in 1930 he made himself King of Rumania. In 1937 he carried out a second coup d-etat. He abolished the Constitution, outlawed the Jews, dissolved all political parties and transformed Rumania into a "Third Reich" in miniature. In this way he paved the way for Hitler's occupation of Rumania.
But when the master came, his model became afraid that he might lose his fortunes. He took flight, richly supplied
with gold and after long wanderings became a political immigrant in Mexico.
As the "Cooperativas de Pescadores del Golfo ie Cortes" (Fishermen's Cooperatives of the Gulf of Jorto) now announce, the heavy hand of a trust has laid itself on them, the poor fishermen. The trust is the "Compania Pesquera de Sonora" (Sonora Fish Company).
This company has won a monopoly and forces the fishermen to sell the product of their work for prices which condemn them to a life of famine. In return for that the company sells the fish for very high prices.
Behind this trust stands His Ex-Majesty Carol of Rumania.
Salmon Negotiations Open, Canners Reject New Poundage Basis
Negotiations for 1944 salmon agreements were opened Friday when officers of the United Fishermen's Union and the United Fish Cannery and Reduction Plant Union, Local 89, met with the members of the Salmon Canners' Operating Committee. Opening of negotiations in February marked the earliest date at which such discussions have been started in any year to date. Fishermen's Union officers^"
informed the operators that they would propose a clause in this year's agreementslmaking it clear that it would not be considered a violation of the agreement should fishermen refuse to deliver or carry fish to a plant where a labor dispute was in effect involving workers organized in a union affiliated to the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada.
The Fish Cannery & Reduction Plant Union likewise submitted that in future agreements with the operators a clause should be inserted making it clear that it would not be a violation of the agreement for members of Local 89 to refuse to handle fish products declared unfair by the United Fishermen's Union as a result of a dispute involving members of that union.
Operators' representatives at the meeting promised to take this pro posal under advisement before expressing any definite attitude.
POUNDAGE BASIS
In accordance with the written notification sent to the Salmon Canners Operating Committee in December, Fishermen's Union officers proposed that salmon price agreements for 1944 should establish minimum prices for all species of salmon on a poundage basis and that the method for determining poundage prices for species hitherto sold by the piece should now be
Union Meetings
A special meeting of the Vancouver Local of the United Fishermen's Union will be held at the Fishermen's Hall, 138 E. Cordova Street on Friday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the statement of the operators definitely refusing to entertain the purchase of 1944 salmon on a poundage basis. A proposed joint agreement between the Union, the Cannery Workers' Union and Operators for wages and conditions to netmen will be presented.
This meeting is important, please attend.
* » •
Port Mann local of the United Fishermen's Union will hold its regular meeting on Sunday, February 13, at 2 p.m. at Port Mann.
Delegates to the Fifth Annual Convention of the UFFU will be elected at this meeting. All union members are requested to bring before the meeting any resolutions which they would like to be considered by the convention.
determined by negotiations between the operators and the union.
The operators' representatives at the meeting definitely rejected this proposal declaring that they would insist on the sale of all salmon for canning purposes on a similar basis to that in effect in previous years, namely a poundage basis for sock-eye, cohoe, springs and blueback and sale by the piece for pinks and chums. The operators argued that it would not be feasible for them to change the method of buying that has been in effect since this would result in increases in the cost of raw fish and higher labor costs.
Union representatives pointed out that the only immediate question under discussion was the principle involved since the actual prices to be paid for all species on a poundage basis would only be determined at future price negotiations. Since there had yet been no discussion as to the manner whereby this system would be brought into effect the statement that the weighing of pinks and chums would lead to increased labor costs was merely an assumption without adequate basis in fact. In spite of. the arguments presented the operators remained adamant in their opposition to any consideration of a poundage system for pinks and chums this year.
Following this preliminary meeting on negotiations all locals of the Fishermen's Union have been asked to meet immediately and discuss the present position. Union locals are instructed to call special meetings if necessary to arrange for the appointment of representatives to a joint negotiating committee which would be in a position to continue negotiations with the operators on the basis of instructions from the membership.
A special meeting of the Vancouver local of the Fishermen's Union has been called for this purpose this Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Fishermen's Hall.
ANNOUNCING
"SCIENCE FOR THE FISHERMAN"
THE FISHERMAN is happy to announce that beginning with our next issue we will begin publication of a new column "Science for the Fisherman," which will be conducted by Mr. K. F. Harding, who is at present manager of the fish oil department of the Prince Rupert Cooperative Association.
Mr. Harding was associated with the chemical staff of the Pacific Fisheries Experimental Station then at Prince Rupert from 1936 until April 1941, when he resigned his position as senior technician in chemistry to become fish liver oil manager for the Prince Rupert Co-op. Thus he combines the scientific knowledge and the practical experience which should serve to make his column of eminent interest and value to our readers.
Following the introductory column in our next issue, a series of articles on the ABC of Vitamin A will be a feature of this column.
Herring Fleet Returns Home
The 1943-44 herring fishing season was clearly drawing to a close at the week-end, when reports were received that the exceptionally heavy run that has occurred this year in the Namu Area had disappeared and no appreciable volume of herring was indicated in any other area of the coast. The fleets of Nelson Bros., B.C. Packers, Canadian Fishing Company, and the Nootka Fishing Co., were expected to return to their home ports over the week-end.
A total of 34,000 tons of herring was reported to have been taken in the central area, where there is a fixed quota allowed of 40,000 tons.
Ladner Co-op Elects Directors
Board of directors for the coming year were elected at the first annual meeting of the Ladner Fishermen's Co-operative Association on January 27. Thirty-six members were present. Sale of shares to date has been very satisfactory.
Board of directors are: Nick Stevens, Irene Silick, Dom Bussanich, Erik Jensen, Bill Vidulich, Tony Cosulich and Verner Douglas.