Catch division snags on work stoppages
Prospects and tentative regulations for the 1974 sockeye fishery will be outlined when the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission holds its annual meeting with its advisory committee in Vancouver December 7.
The one-day session is open to representatives from all segments of the industry.
It is not known when the commission will issue a policy statement with respect to Canada-U.S. catch division from convention waters during a period of work stoppage by fishermen in either country.
It was a major point of discussion between commission and advisory committee at a meeting in Seattle November 19. Seine crew adviser H. Steve Stavenes and John Person, who took gillnet adviser Frank Nishi's place, represented the UFAWU.
The union maintains that a 50-50 division of convention waters salmon should be made by Canada and the U.S. regardless of work stoppages.
Picket lines went up at fish plants and docks along the B.C. coast July 6 this year as fishermen, tendermen and shore-workers struck the salmon industry to back demands for major improvements in prices, wage rates and working conditions. Fishing operations resumed July 15 after union membership approved by an 82 percent majority terms of an offer made by the Fisheries Association July 13.
Shortly thereafter Vancouver Labor Council delegates voted unanimously to back UFAWU demands for measures to correct the imbalance in sockeye catches resulting from U.S. landings during the short strike. In face of press scare reports about the strike's effect on salmon runs, B.C. fishermen were determined to see that catch equalization was attained.
One of the commissioners, Pacific regional fisheries director Rod Hourston, stated that U.S. catches during the strike represented an irretrievable loss for Canadian fishermen. His claim was not based on any clause or regulation in the treaty under which the commission was established, the union argued. The same argument was presented again at the November 19 meeting.
JOHN PERSON ... no signs of over-spawning during strike.
"According to the treaty all fish are to be divided equally, regardless of work stoppages," Person told The Fisherman later.. He said he asked commission head John Roos if there had been any over-spawning, and the reply was that there had been no signs of it.
Nothing in the treaty, argues the union, limits the commission's authority to make adjustments equalizing catch imbalances stemming from a tieup of fishermen in either country.
Though Hourston has claimed Canadian fishermen have lost some two million sockeye to the U.S. as a result of post-war strikes, the record does not appear to indicate that the commission has applied a policy of retaining catch differentials. Catch figures, compiled from 1964 through 1972, show landings of 88 million pounds, of which the U.S. took 50.16 percent and the Canadian fleet 49.84 percent. The difference represents an imbalance favoring the U.S. of about 286,000 pounds.
The union position is in marked contrast to that of the Pacific Trollers Association, whose adviser Merv Ellis made a weak analogy between the salmon fishery and a ball game at the November 19 meeting. If you don't show up for the game then you lose by default, Person reported him as saying.
From page 1
NEGOTIATIONS
markets and sales information, have not been answered. Association manager Jerry Spitz confessed he had no "fine figures" to divulge. He did say, however, that it now appears the companies aren't going to need as much herring as they thought they would. He said it was to the union's advantage, as well as to the companies', to create a food herring market. Shore jobs would be created and the roe market is "tenuous."
But neither the companies' apparent enthusiasm nor the substantial market increases they have enjoyed over last year are reflected in their bargaining. "We know when we are being approached realistically and when we are not," said Procopa-tion.
Canned herring sold during 1972-73 to the Canadian International Development Agency and the World Food Program brought $564 a metric ton, and the price rose to $678 for the 1973-74 period.
From January to June this year exports of fresh, whole or dressed herring were bringing $178.33 a ton, a considerable increase from the $73.65 a ton exports brought during the July to December period a year earlier.
Though the association insists it has made a fair offer and is sincere in presenting it, dissatisfaction was expressed by committee members November 29 over company reluctance in releasing
8/ THE FISHERMAN —
information on costs, markets and sales. The committee sees herring profits skyrocketing upwards. Accepting a contract that extended beyond September 1 would limit fishermen to outdated price levels while company profits continued to rise. More vessels, people and gear can be anticipated in the herring fishery. The union feels the issue of payments into the welfare fund should be settled now and not retroactively from signing of a roe contract.
The association stated earlier that the companies wish to can 80,000 cartons of herring for a government food relief project, and faced a delivery deadline of December 31. However Spitz said November 29 the association felt this market has now been lost. Other markets might appear in the spring, he added.
The union disagrees with a number of the proposed guidelines for the herring fishery issued November 1.
Following a meeting of the negotiating committee November 26 a telegram was sent to Pacific regional fisheries director Rod Hourston requesting another meeting of the herring management committee to discuss the proposals. Hourston replied November 28 that such a meeting is not possible, but that he will meet with the union's negotiating committee.
The meeting was set for December 4.
NOVEMBER 30, 1973
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