Article appeared in the Nov 24, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Bill Buckels
On Aug. 2, a group of Lake Winnipeg fishers got together with Gimli MLA, Peter Bjornson, and Manitoba Premier, Greg Selinger to discuss the very real threat that the federal government will do away with the Fresh Water Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC), a crown corporation in existence for over 40 years, through which Manitoba fishers are obliged to market their fish.
From that meeting came a decision to form a new association, the Commercial Fishers Orderly Marketing Association (CFOMA), which was then incorporated on Oct. 1.
CFOMA’s mission is to support and promote the business issues of orderly harvesting , orderly production, and orderly single-desk marketing.
Their first priority, said Bill Buckels, Executive Director and Media Officer of CFOMA, is to expand membership and obtain support for FFMC.
“We want to present the side that supports FFMC,” he said.
CFOMA made a presentation at an Areas 1 and 12 Fishers’ meeting in Selkirk on Nov. 9, and then again in Gimli at the Lakeview Resort and on Nov 21. So far they have signed up over 50 members, and are still welcoming new directors from Lake Winnipeg Fishery.
CFOMA board is comprised entirely of commercial fishers which includes Executive Directors, Jason Donald (President), Perry David (Vice-President), Bill Buckels (Media Officer); and Directors at Large, Richard Donald, Edward and Kris Isfeld, Dave and Marlene Monkman, Ken Campbell, Gordie Jacobson, Bruce Benson and Chris Kristjanson, Marvin Magnusson, Calvin Firman, Ivan and Robert Grimolfson.
Vacancies still exist for two ‘Executive Directors’ and additional ‘Directors at Large’.
“With the Wheat Board gone there are many, including our Manitoba Government, who fear that Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) will be next. I need FFMC to sell my fish, and so do my fellow fishers,” said Buckels.”FFMC has spent 40 years establishing a marketing network and creating brand recognition.”
“We believe that the best and strongest way is to stick together and sell our fish is through
FFMC. We do not want our fishery split into a bunch of private fish companies like it
was before the Corporation…We believe that if we lose FFMC we will never get it back.”
“Finally we believe that supporters of FFMC need to be in one strong business association,
run by commercial fishers and able to stand against those who are against the corporation.”
CFOMA members believe that if the FFMC’s marketing monopoly were to end, supply management in Manitoba’s fish export market would follow, and many smaller fishing operations would fold. They believe supply management of the fresh water fishery to be the best guarantee of fair profits and returns Manitoba fishers.
“Some fishers say that they would be better off in a free market, selling their fish on their own into markets currently served exclusively by FFMC. While this may hold true in some short term situations, this is not a comprehensive long term solution,” said Buckels.
Fishers wishing to join CFOMA may drop off a completed membership application, with a $10 membership fee, to the FFMC office, or mail to: Commercial Fishers Orderly Marketing Association (CFOMA) Inc., Box 277, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0. Further details are available on-line at www.commercialfishers.com.
