Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 22/02) - Interest in fishing the new turbot resource in Davis Strait and Baffin Bay grew considerably over the last year.

Peter Keenainak, chair of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, said last week they received 21 proposals from boat-owners interested in fishing the zone this season. They received just six proposals last year, Keenainak said.

A late start date contributed to the weak interest in 2001, but proof that turbot are there to be caught likely inspired more companies to express interest in the recent request for proposals.

Keenainak said the coalition will award the quota to the successful companies once federal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibeault makes a decision on this year's quota.

As set by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans last year, Nunavut fishers are entitled to harvest 4,000 tonnes of turbot from the area. Keenainak said they hoped to hear by the end of April if the amount will remain the same or be reduced. Coalition members will meet to make decisions once the quota is announced.

Elected by Baffin communities and organizations that have a vested interest in the adjacent fishery, coalition members discussed the RFPs at an executive meeting in Iqaluit at the beginning of April.

Keenainak said they also discussed initiating a vessel fund.

"We agreed to set aside 20 to 30 per cent of our revenues in a vessel fund," said Keenainak.

By re-investing profits, BFC members hope to eventually fish the resource themselves, instead of hiring other companies to do it for them.

An additional 20 per cent of revenues will be re-invested in research and exploratory work.

Jerry Ward, a consultant hired to work with the coalition, said a few years of research is needed to justify future quota increases to the offshore fishery and to examine the potential of the inshore fishery.

Inshore fishing is fishing done within 12 miles of the coast.

"The inshore has to be looked at," said Ward. "That's what will benefit the coastal communities the most."

"Real employment generated in Nunavut will come from the inshore fishery. The skills can be obtained in a reasonably short period of time."

The coalition also worked on a business plan at the meeting, finalized a report on last year's season and evaluated its position within the international turbot industry.

"We have to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and where we are in relation to other players in the industry," said Ward.