Fillets, steaks are proposed for frozen salmon export
The fisheries department inspection branch has proposed new regulations for the export of frozen salmon that would permit a major increase in exports for the 1979 season.
The new regulations, which would need implementation by Ottawa if they received industry approval, would allow the export of frozen and pink salmon "cut into fillet steaks and portions in Canada prior to export to Japan."
Dramatic increases in the export of frozen salmon have raised fears that the industry may be lured into a market that provides improved prices for fishermen at the expense of shoreworkers' jobs.
Despite stringent controls in the 1978 season designed to limit frozen exports to about 15 percent of production, fisheries statistics indicate that 29.8 percent of salmon landings were frozen or salted.
Inspection branch chief Don Wilson said last week that every species but pink salmon showed dramatic increases in amounts frozen or salted, with only five percent of spring salmon going into the can. About 21 percent of spring salmon production was frozen in 1977.
Coho and chum landings also were diverted to the frozen market, with 81.2 percent of coho landings being frozen or salted in 1978 compared to about 62.7 percent in 1977.
Chum production used for the frozen and salted market totalled 75.1 percent of landings in 1978, up from 56.1 percent frozen in 1977. Wilson emphasized that the comparisons are inexact because 1978 figures include salmon salted for export.
Proposed regulations for 1979 would retain strict Canadian government specification board standards for fish frozen for export after dressing.
But the new regulations would allow export of fish that failed to meet this standard if it is "further processed into consumer packages in the form of fillets, steaks or portions."
Wilson said his department had not attempted to analyze the impact this regulation would have on the amount of fish now going into the can because it cannot meet frozen export standards.
"The regulations seek to allow steaking and cutting to be done
here," Wilson explained, "but without allowing second quality fish to leave the country in the frozen form."
The aim of the change is to provide more work in the processing of frozen fish, he added, so that "conflict between canning and freezing of these species may be minimized."
Wilson said it is also proposed to relax maximum moisture content in salted fish, which finds a ready market in Japan. The maximum would be increased to 60 percent from 54 percent.
Wilson said increased investment in icing and chilling systems had enabled far more production to qualify for frozen export in 1978 than was anticipated.
"In 1979 we expect that level to move up," he said, "but a great deal depends on what the Japanese will buy and how much they get from Russia and Alaska."
AMARLIN MARINE INDUSTRIES LTD\>
1 Steel & Aluminum Fishing Boats and Barges
New Construction
Now building 80' Twin engine barge jlISP Ask about our 58' 1 and 67- alum, seiners and 60' steel.
1868 KENT AVE. EAST, VANCOUVER, B.C. and at 105 EWEN AVE., NEW WESTMINSTER 521-3522
EVGS. CALL MALCOLM OAKES 921-7665
Repairs
and Conversions
Boat Brokerage
J
Talk to the write people.
We're in favour of automation. But there's more to it than that...
Why are the 23,000 Postal Workers in favour of automation?
Because those technological changes (which have already cost you a billion dollars) should improve your postal service while improving our working conditions.
Why do we say that automation produces negative results?
Because the technological changes are presently being applied in such a way that they threaten the job security of thousandsof workers and worsen our working conditions. A major percentage of Postal Workers have already experienced changes in schedules switching them from day shifts to evening or night shifts, without adequate compensation.
What kind of solutions do
Put
we suggest?
That the employer at least holds to the collective agreement of 1975 which established norms to eliminate, or to compensate for, the negative effects of automation, among others, noise, lighting, and environmental changes.
That the employer respects our acquired rights (seniority, classification).
That in order to protect job security, there be a better sharing of the work load among the employees.
We are ready to give you more details so that you can better form an accurate opinion on the Post Office's problems.
Write us at P.O. Box 8871, Alta Vista Terminal, Ottawa. We'll send you a special folder.
on it!
CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS
DID YOU KNOW?
There are now over 2,400 Suzie diesels operating on the Pacific coast, sold and serviced by us during the past eleven years.
Ql IVI p Still Your Best Engine Buy
KLASSEN DIESEL SALES LTD.
5660 CEDARBRIDGE WAY, RICHMOND 278-8438
Klassen Engine Co.,
Mile 7, Tongass Way. Kitchikan. Alaska. 247-8320 Klassen Engine Co..
923 W. Holly St.. Bellingham, Wash. 98226, 676-9434 Klassen Engine Co.,
1538 N.W., 50th Street,
Seattle, Wash.. 98107, 784-0148
t NOTICE
OF
ANNUAL
MEETING
The 38th Annual General Meetina
of:
GULF and FRASER
FISHERMEN'S
CREDIT UNION
will be held
TUESDAY, APRIL 17,
1979
at the
SHERATON VILLA INN
4330 Dominion Street,
Burnaby, B.C.
commencing at 8:00 p.m.
with registration to begin at 7:00 p. m.
ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED
¥ GULF and FRASER
FISHERMEN'S
CREDIT UNION
803 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1R8
Telephone 254-6266
3471 Chatham Street, Steveston, B.C. V7E 2Y9
Telephone 271-5911
6/THE FISHERMAN - MARCH 30, 1979
