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Study Program with Fishermen
Year Published: 1981Resource Type: Organization Cx Number: CX2311 This study program is intended to encourage fishermen to focus attention on the concerns now facing the East Coast fishery. Abstract: This study program is intended to encourage fishermen to focus attention on the concerns now facing the East Coast fishery. The University Extension Department acknowledges that the real experts in the fishing industry are the fishermen, processors and marketing people directly involved, and makes no claim of expertise. Its role is in assisting the fishermen to focus on the issues and to provide a neutral base for discussion. If the Extension Department carries any biases into the program, they are: 1) The coming months are critical to the future of the fishing industry. Major decisions must be made and will be made with or without fishermen having a voice; 2) A concern about the amalgamation of two large fish processing companies-Nicherson's and National Sea-as an impending threat to the interests of fishermen; 3) The Department also sees the need for fishermen to speak with one voice to counterbalance the power of the companies and the governments. The study program involves the fishermen in a review and discussion of the following issues: 1) the status of the fishermen in today's society, how he fits into the economy of the area, how he sees himself and how others see him; 2) the forces operating in the fishing industry which have a direct effect on the fishermen's income and security, including the "inshore-offshore" debate; 3) the government's role in the fishery - both provincial and federal; 4) the attempts past and present, to get fishermen to develop a united voice in their industry; 5) the larger issues that influence the lives of fishermen. The St. Francis Xavier University Extension Department (Sydney, Nova Scotia) sponsored a four-day Fisheries Residential Leadership School in January, 1981. The clientele for the School consisted of 30-35 fishermen from the fishing communities of Cape Breton Island. This organization no longer exists. Subject Headings |