B.C.T.F.A. NEWSLETTER #7
MAY 24, 2002
Dear Member,
One of the basic reasons this association was founded was the preservation
of the Canada/U.S. Treaty. For the past 2 years that’s where most of
our energy has been directed. We finally have closure on the treaty negotiations.
At least for the next 3 years and then it’s back to the negotiations
table. If there isn’t any new agreement then, this fleet will be further
reduced in size to 94 vessels until such time as both sides can agree on
a new arrangement. It would be anyone’s guess what the situation will
be 4 years from now. So lets not waste time on what might happen and direct
time and energy on just how will the "New" fleet of the future
look like. DFO at our AGM said they are going to sit down and discuss with
us, after we return from fishing this fall, different ways on how to conduct
the US EEZ fishery. Also a formula will have to be devised to pick just
who is going to fish in U.S. waters. When that is all said and done the
next big challenge will be domestic licencing. Should there be a stand alone
Tuna Licence created to fish in Canadian Waters? In this mail out you will
find the "Licencing Review Committee Draft Report". Do not jump
to conclusions that this paper is BCTFA policy, it is not, only the membership
sets policy. This paper was provided to stimulate the thought process and
outline some of the complexities surrounding licencing. If we had a stand-alone
tuna licence in place, DFO would have a far easier job picking who gets
to fish in the U.S. As it stands at the present, 88% of the membership wants
a stand-alone tuna licence. Basically those in opposition are skippers,
not licence holders, and a few section 68 High Seas Tuna licence holders
who don’t want to fish in Canadian Waters. I’m not going to get
into it, in this newsletter, but rest assured it will be hotly debated this
winter. Some of the questions may well be answered this season when we see
how many new entrants, brine boats from both countries switching over to
blast, flooding of product into the local markets, prices dropping during
the season. Maybe those few who don’t want licencing will have a change
of heart, when their fishery is over crowed and prices at the 50 cents per
lb. level just like a few years ago.
I want to thank you for your support by remaining a member even though
dues this year was increased. Maybe next year the treasurer will be able
to recommend a lower rate. There is still a lot of work to do in this fishery
and it all costs money. If your name doesn’t appear in this years Hand
Book it’s because we did not receive your dues before or at the AGM.
We had to have a cut off date so that this Book would get to you before
you left for fishing. Have a good look at this year’s handbook, Linda
has made a number of changes. Also enclosed are two magazine articles about
the Treaty. David Rahn, editor of Fishermen’s Life, was present at
our AGM. David is a supporting member of this association. He appears on
the back cover of the handbook as Eagle Harbour Holdings Ltd. His article
will appear in the June issue. I don’t know who subscribes to Fishermen’s
Life so as a courtesy to his fellow members he sent the article and May’s
issue to distribute. Thank you David, I hope all our members support your
great magazine. The other Editor, Michel Drouin, writes articles on fishing
for Pacific Fishing Magazine. Michel’s article will appear in the August
issue. The rest is self explanatory so enjoy the read.
The Web site is being up graded and a few changes being made. If you
go to our Web site you will see the Sea Surface charts for the Pacific Coast
from Alaska to Mexico every day. You can watch as the warm water develops,
it will assist you in determining when you should be out there.
Good luck this year; enjoy the last season of wide-open fishing. I’ll
wave to all, who I see flying our new flag, as our paths cross on the sea.
Have a prosperous and Safe Season.
Larry Teague
President, BCTFA |
