Hay River (May 10/04) - As in years past, last week's spring meeting of NWT fishermen was full of criticism of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC).

However, a senior official with the FFMC says fishermen have a process to leave the marketing structure, if they wish.

Steve Kendall, the FFMC's vice-president of operations, says fishermen could approach the GNWT to ask that the federal government exclude the NWT from the corporation's jurisdiction.

Until that happens, Kendall says the FFMC is legally obligated to buy and market their fish. "We can't walk away from it."

Nor was Kendall forced to walk away from last week's meeting. Having attended uninvited, the fishermen narrowly voted to allow him to stay.

Litany of problems

Fishermen had a litany of complaints at the Hay River meeting -- low prices, a lack of freedom to market fish on their own and poor communication with the FFMC being at the top of the list.

Lionel Rundle, the president of the NWT Fishermen's Federation, said the FFMC never comes through for fishermen. "We sit here year after year and we hear the same things over and over again."

In listing his concerns, Rundle became too emotional to continue for a few moments, and handed his address to someone else to read.

Fisherman Alex Morin charged fishermen are going to die on welfare if they remain under the FFMC.

Lower prices

There was bad pricing news for the fishermen. The initial price for whitefish set by the corporation for the summer fishery on Great Slave Lake is 15 per cent lower than last summer.

Kendall explained the price drop has been caused by the rise of the loonie compared to the American dollar. "It has meant a real hardship for anyone in the exporting business."

The demand for whitefish is also weak, he said. "This is going to be a tough year ahead of us."

There are various prices for whitefish and other species depending on size and quality.

The fishermen once again discussed the idea of a new federation-owned plant for Hay River.

Consultant Rocky Simpson suggested the federation seek funding to hire an executive director to revitalize the fishery, including working towards a new plant.

The fishermen also voted to suspend renewing an assistance agreement with the GNWT, until its new executive has a chance to review it.

In the last fiscal year, the arrangement provided $481,000 in support for the industry, which is worth $1.2 million.

Beatrice Lepine said the support is not a real development plan for the fishery. "Economic development isn't propping up a failing industry with subsidies."

She contrasted the support for the fishery to extensive government initiatives to promote trapping.

There are 50 licensed fishing boats -- 34 of them active -- on Great Slave Lake.