PEIFA to hold annual meeting

By Andy Walker

SOU'WESTER

NovaNewsNow.com

Topics ranging from vessel safety regulations to electronic reporting are on the agenda for the annual meeting of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association.

The association, which has six locals spread across the Island, represents all core fishermen in the province. Since the passage of the Fisheries Organization Support Act in 2004, core fishers are required to pay a $106 annual membership fee. While there is provision to ask for a refund, changes to the act passed last year make association membership a condition of obtaining a provincial tax number.

The group moves its meeting around the province and this year the event is being held Jan. 25 and 26 in Mill River. There will be a discussion on the proposed new federal Fisheries Act and Robert MacMillan of the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will give an update on the index fishery.

Lionel Comeau of Transport Canada will bring members up to date on regulatory reforms under the Canada Shipping Act, particularly as they impact fishing vessel safety.

Guest speaker for the industry dinner Friday evening is Jim Wellman of The Navigator magazine.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Allan Campbell is slated to be the guest speaker for the Saturday afternoon breakfast. There was also an update on the electronic report project.

Art Smith, a retired civil servant who has been commissioned to study the impact of invasive species on the province’s commercial and aquiculture industries, will give members an outline of his work to date including the premiere showing a video he has prepared.

The convention is due to wrap up with a bear pit session with officials from DFO and the provincial department giving association members the opportunity to talk about any issue on their mind. The gathering will wrap up with the group’s business meeting.