Special Newsletter:

Usage of MFU Snow Crab Quota

(1995-2006)

 

'The President has the floor'

 

It was our intention to prepare a special newsletter so that the MFU can present two things as a response to accusations made in the June 29th, 2007 version of the Acadie-Nouvelle:

Firstly, the MFU will not accept false accusations that impact on its reputation. Not only are these types of comments unfair for the existing staff - people engaged for the improved welfare of inshore fishers - but it’s even more serious when you consider the commitment of people that sacrificed time and energies to the creation and development of the MFU in the past such as Michael Belliveau, Gilles Thériault, Omer Chouinard, Jean-Marie Nadeau, Réginald Comeau, and the fishermen themselves, such as Guy Cormier, Herménégilde Robichaud, Paul Nowlan, Donald Martin, Harold Manuel, etc. In my opinion, when you falsely accuse the MFU, you insult your own.

Secondly, the MFU can be very proud of its battles in the fishery, of its projects and its work all of which have made breaking grounds in the 30 year of its history, and this includes particularly to use a fair mode of distribution for the benefits of a snow crab quota so that the most people can take advantage of it instead of only a distinct few.

I invite you to read this very important newsletter carefully to have a better idea on the MFU structure and to recall how the snow crab was used to the benefit of inshore fishers. Be it at the level of your wharf, your local, your community, your annual meeting or at Convention, debate is encouraged on these issues and on the overall orientations of your organization.

Andre Martin
MFU President