May 23, 2018
Province Strengthens Fish Marketing Regulations
– – –Changes Improve Accountability: Squires
Coinciding with the start of the commercial fishing season, the Manitoba government has made changes to increase the accountability and transparency of the new open market system for commercial fishers, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“Our open market system has increased opportunities for commercial fishers to market their catch. Under the move to the open market, fishers are already getting better prices for some species,” Squires said. “We want to support this important part of our economy and the fishers who make a living from our lakes.”
Improvements to the regulations will reduce red tape for commercial fishers who only sell their catch to buyers such as restaurants, community centres and grocery stores in Manitoba. These fishers will be required to become fish dealers but will have streamlined reporting requirements. Commercial fishers will still be allowed to sell their catch directly to consumers without becoming a licensed fish dealer.
The province confirms an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit of Conservation Officer Service of Sustainable Development into allegations of payment defaults to fishers remains ongoing. No charges have been laid to date, but enforcement actions are being contemplated.
Based on preliminary findings of this investigation, the province has enacted several changes to the regulations surrounding the open commercial fish market including establishing reasonable reporting requirements and the roles and responsibilities of agents who work on behalf of fish dealers.
In addition, the province announced today, based on consultation with fishers, it is restoring the provisions surrounding local marketing of channel catfish by-catch. Channel catfish may now be sold within Manitoba, but only to final consumers, not restaurants, stores or fish dealers. This will provide a balance between commercial fishing interests, which remains relatively limited and protecting the trophy channel catfish fishery on the Red River.
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