Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Jun 21/99) - The Baffin Fisheries Council is now legit and hoping to take commercial fishing in the region to new heights.

Though in existence for about a year, it made itself official last week in Iqaluit. The council held its first annual general meeting, establishing bylaws, electing a board and executive and identifying priorities for the coming year.

Topping that list is using the collective clout of organization to minimize financial risks of fishing.

That means insurance. The council appointed a sub-committee to look into the matter.

"We will be exploring the options," said Peter Keenainak, who is co-chairing the sub-committee.

"One of the things discussed (at the AGM) was making the Baffin Fisheries Council the main policy holder on behalf of fishermen in the industry. Individual organizations could then buy in."

The council also called for more representation from the Department of Sustainable Resources, calling for the creation of a division within the department dedicated exclusively to the fishery.

Today the council's executive is meeting to discuss strategy for a meeting the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is hosting tomorrow. DFO called the meeting to discuss its policy for awarding fishing quotas.

The quota issue is pivotal to the expansion of the Baffin industry -- if Nunavut's share of the quota is not increased there will be no expansion.

Keenainak noted that Nunavut is entitled to catch only 1,500 tonnes of the 5,500 allotted to Canada for the zone adjacent to Baffin Island.

Under the newly- ratified council bylaws, three organizations are each entitled to a seat on the six-member board.

The Qikitaaluk Corp., the fishing industry of Pangnirtung and the Qikitaaluk Wildlife Board each must supply the council with at least two candidates to be voted on by council members.

Board members then elect the three-member executive.

Last week, board members voted in Ben Ell of Iqaluit -- who had served as the interim chairman -- as chairman. Levi Evic of Pangnirtung was elected vice-president. Peter Keenainak of Iqaluit was voted in as secretary-treasurer.

Elected as directors were Kimmirut's Joanni Ikkidluak, Jacopi Maniapik of Pangnirtung and Pitseolak Alainga of Iqaluit.