1. The Future of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation Engagement 2017
Presented by Hill+Knowlton Strategies
December 2017

2. The context
Freshwater is at a critical juncture – it needs to evolve to ensure it can continue to support the fishery and serve fishers.
Over 1,700 fishers use the services provided by the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (Freshwater) in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
Manitoba withdrew from Freshwater on December 1, 2017.
The context:
Over 1,700 fishers rely on the services provided by the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (Freshwater) in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
Manitoba announced it would withdraw from Freshwater in late 2017, leaving the Northwest Territories as the sole participating jurisdiction.
Freshwater was at a critical juncture – it needed to evolve to ensure it could continue to support the fishery and protect the rights and livelihoods of fishers.

3. What Who Why The engagement
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) embarked on an engagement initiative, online and in-person, between July and September 2017.
Who
They engaged with fishers, community members, First Nations and Métis stakeholders in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
The engagement:
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) undertook an initiative to engage with fishers, community members, First Nations and Métis stakeholders.
The engagement took place online and in-person between July 17, 2017 and September 29, 2017.
Through this initiative, DFO hoped to:
Gain a better understanding of what was working well and the challenges faced by fishers; and
Seek feedback on opportunities for change or improvements.
Why
To gain a better understanding of what’s working well and not so well; and, to seek feedback on opportunities for change or improvement.

4. Where we went Northwest Territories 1 Yellowknife 2 Hay River
Saskatchewan 3
Île-à-la-Crosse 7
Pelican Narrows
Manitoba 4
Fisher River 13
Brochet 5
Winnipegosis 14
Leaf Rapids 6
Matheson Island 15
Nelson House 8
The Pas 16
Pukatawagan 9
Poplar River 17
Norway House 10
Berens River 18
Winnipeg 11
Grand Rapids 19
Garden Hill 12
Wabowden
Where we went:
In the Northwest Territories, events were held in Yellowknife and Hay River.
In Saskatchewan, events were held in Île-à-la-Crosse and Pelican Narrows.
In Manitoba, events were held in Fisher River, Winnipegosis, Matheson Island, The Pas, Poplar River, Berens River, Grand Rapids, Wabowden, Brochet, Leaf Rapids, Nelson House, Pukatawagan, Norway House, Winnipeg and Garden Hill.
Communities are numbered in the order the events were held.

5. fishers and stakeholders
What we heard
300+
fishers and stakeholders
Freshwater has a reputation for producing high quality products
Freshwater plays an important role in the livelihoods of many fishers
Fishers are concerned about the price they receive for their fish
Fishers would like to see improvements to the governance practices at Freshwater
Many fishers are concerned about the impacts of an open market on their communities
What we heard:
Over 300 fishers and stakeholders participated across 19 communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
Fishers and stakeholders also had the opportunity to participate online at
Freshwater has a reputation for producing high quality products
Freshwater plays an important role in the livelihoods of many fishers
Fishers are concerned about the price they receive for their fish
Fishers would like to see improvements to the governance structure at Freshwater
Many fishers are concerned about the impacts of an open market on their communities
19 communities

6. Freight costs + Infrastructure
Manitoba
Mixed
feelings
Concern over
lack of buyers
Freight costs + Infrastructure
Some fishers are apprehensive about Manitoba’s withdrawal, others feel it will provide them with better prices for their fish.
Manitoba fishers are worried about the lack of new buyers in their communities.
Freight costs and infrastructure make it difficult for some communities to transport their fish to market.
Valued
Governance
What we heard in Northern Manitoba:
Northern Manitoba fishers were apprehensive about Manitoba’s withdrawal;
Many fishers feel that Freshwater plays an essential role in the economic sustainability of fishing activities;
Most Northern Manitoba fishers rely on Freshwater to purchase their fish and are worried about the lack of buyers in their communities;
Freight costs and infrastructure make it difficult for northern and remote communities to transport their fish to market;
Fishers feel improved governance practices could help increase trust in Freshwater.
Freshwater plays an essential role in the economic sustainability of fishing activities. Fishers want the option of selling to Freshwater, even in an open market environment.
Fishers feel improved governance practices could help increase trust in Freshwater, including more inclusive representation on the Board of Directors and improved financial oversight.

7. Essential Showing apprehension
Saskatchewan
Essential
Showing
apprehension
Still relevant
The majority of fishers in Saskatchewan still rely on Freshwater services even after the province’s transition to an open market in 2012.
Many fishers feel that Freshwater plays an important role in the fishery and managing the rising costs of freight and storage.
Fishers are apprehensive about Manitoba’s withdrawal and impending changes to Freshwater.
What we heard in Saskatchewan:
Some fishers in Saskatchewan still rely on Freshwater services even after the province’s 2012 withdrawal;
Fishers were apprehensive about Manitoba’s withdrawal and impending changes to Freshwater;
Many fishers feel that Freshwater plays an important role in sustaining the fishery and managing the rising costs of freight and storage;
Fishers are also concerned about fisheries management and habitat degradation.

8. Northwest Territories
Government
strategy
Processing + storage capabilities
The Government of the Northwest Territories developed a growth strategy for the fishery in Great Slave Lake which they are now looking to implement.
Fishers are hoping to develop their own processing and storage capabilities.
Logistical challenges
Local market
What we heard in the Northwest Territories:
The Government of the Northwest Territories developed a growth strategy for the fishery in Great Slave Lake which they are now looking to implement;
Fishers are hoping to develop their own processing and storage capabilities;
Fishers from the Northwest Territories face logistical challenges getting their fish to market;
Fishers rely heavily on sales to local merchants.
Fishers from the Northwest Territories face logistical challenges getting their fish to market.
Fishers have also developed strong links with local merchants.

9. Outcomes
The feedback gathered from fishers will help DFO develop priorities to guide Freshwater’s transformation.

10. Working with Indigenous groups and communities
Next Steps
DFO is committed to working with fishers from all communities on Freshwater’s transformation.
DFO is committed to further engagement with fishers and stakeholders on the future of Freshwater.
Working with Indigenous groups and communities
Working with fishers
Next steps:
DFO is committed to working with fishers from all communities on Freshwater’s transformation to ensure a sustainable and viable inland fishery;
DFO is committed to the needs and priorities of Indigenous peoples;
DFO is committed to further engagement with fishers and stakeholders on the future of Freshwater.
More engagement