BFC “amused” by letter on their turbot monopoly

I read with amusement the May 26, 2006 article, “The Baffin fishery is controlled by foreign interests,” a guest editorial by Nick Illauq.

Nick reports that “A February 2006 article in the IntraFish newsletter reports that “Royal Greenland recently announced plans to add two vessels to its operations in Canada to target turbot and other species.”

What Mr. Illauq does not tell you is that the article in question was not put in Intrafish by anyone from Royal Greenland but was written by a freelance writer. This writer received the background information not from Royal Greenland officials but rather from several parties that were attending a turbot management plan meeting in Iqaluit from May 7-8, 2006.

The reader is not informed that immediately following the release of this article, Royal Greenland made a release in Intrafish, on May 9, 2006, stating the information as portrayed in Feb. 6 edition of Intrafish was incorrect, as follows: “Royal Greenland does not have any trawlers fishing in Canada, nor does Royal Greenland plan to have trawlers fish for Greenland halibut/Greenland turbot in Canada in future,” the company said. “Royal Greenland is selling for various companies and valuates their business in the past and future very highly.”

Mr. Illauq goes on further to state: “The Intrafish article stated that ‘as its operations in eastern Canada are close to Greenland, the company can utilize processing facilities in Greenland without affecting the quality of the fish produced.’”

This comment is misleading and false. BFC is no different than the other factory-freezer trawlers that operate in the North. They land their product in a Greenland port where it is trans-shipped to markets in Europe and Asia. Not one pound of the production is further processed in Greenland ports.

The vessels off-load in Greenland because of the short turnaround period, three to four days, whereas it would take up to two weeks to sail to Newfoundland ports, off-load and then get back to the 0A fishing grounds. By off-loading in Greenland ports, the harvesting vessels can increase their overall harvesting efforts in a short harvesting season by more than 30 per cent. It is a question of economics.

The article further states, “We should not stand by and allow our Canadian fishery to be taken over by foreigners masquerading as Canadians.” BFC has a majority interest in both the Inuksuk and Oujukoaq. BFC also retains all fishing licenses in its own name. BFC retains control of both of the companies that own these vessels.

There is a great deal of foreign investment in the current Canadian offshore shrimp sector. BFC has done nothing differently here than many of the other operators in the offshore shrimp business. We have also followed all Canadian rules and regulations regarding the Canadianization of these vessels.

From the period 2001 to 2006, BFC has proven that the 0A turbot fishery is a good fishery, but the harvesting seasons are short. To ensure the viability of our vessels, we have made strategic alliances with southern companies whereby we can source a supply of fish for our vessels to harvest when they cannot harvest in 0A and 0B, or in the northern shrimp fishing areas. We continue to work towards maximizing the benefits for Nunavummiut from our adjacent fisheries.

Ben Kovic
President
Baffin Fisheries Coalition