UFAWU-Unifor Fishermen

UFAWU-Unifor Fishermen The United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union is part of Unifor. Fishers wanted to influence DFO and to achieve fair fish prices and share agreements.

The UFAWU-Unifor represents working skippers, deckhands and owner operators from all fisheries. The Union was created in 1945 by fishermen and allied workers who had a goal of working collectively to better represent their interests. Proud achievements have been EI and WCB coverage; share agreement formulas to ensure that deckhands and vessel owners are both fairly paid; price agreements that set minimum fish prices and, later, market sharing arrangements.

North Coast openings:We met with Corey last week and he gave us the following TENTATIVE dates.NASS- Area 3 - Average re...
06/17/2026

North Coast openings:
We met with Corey last week and he gave us the following TENTATIVE dates.

NASS- Area 3 - Average return to Canada 450,000 sockeye

Gillnets - likely opening on July 6th for 2 days fishing up to 3-12
Gn can retain chum lower down and sockeye only in upper areas. The chum retention area map is not yet out but it will likely be the same as in the past.

Seines - likely opening on July 7th for 2 days. Chum retention

We pressed DFO to let gillnets fish earlier on Nass sockeye but they said no - due to chinook concerns.

SKEENA: Area 4- good news on the escapement front - There are already 20,800 estimated to pass by Tyee Test June 15 compared to an average of 3,700 (2023-2025), 1000 in 2022, and 450 in 2021. Due to flood warnings on the Skeena, we don't expect the escapements to continue to be high for the next week but so far so good.

Pre-season SOCKEYE expectations are:
1.55 Million (Sibling Model 50% probability) and
2.3 Million (5 Year Ave Model 50% probability)
for a total commercial harvest of between 98,000 - 317,000 for gillnets and 32,650 - 105,000 for seines. This is calculated on run sizes of 1.55 Million and 2.3 Million respectively.

Skeena start date: not before July 10th.
Latest Season ending date: August 8

We have pushed DFO hard on getting rid of short nets/sets - especially for 'outside' gillnet fisheries. Don't think we won, tho'.

We also challenged the late starting date and the early August end of season date but they still say no even though our fleets are so small and we need the extra time to harvest our allocations.

Area 6 -Seines - outside. Test dip mid July
Gillnets - Near hatchery - likely mid-July as well.

HAILS - unless we are told otherwise, the Companies will be taking seine and gillnet hails and reporting the results to DFO twice daily. Please co-operate with your packer/buyer and give them accurate counts so that DFO can assure 'the public' that they know what is being harvested. DFO will have the Archipelago numbers at the end of the fishery and the Companies can give them accurate numbers from the sales slips by noon the next day. But apparently they need the twice a day hails to feel comfortable.

Area C will also have its usual at-sea monitoring so look for us on the floats to cast your ballot on the cents per pound to maintain this program.

Thanks,
Joy

05/27/2026

FN0517 Salmon: Gillnet - Area D - 2026 Licence Issuance Info

2026/2027 Salmon by Gillnet licence issuance for Area D is now available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Vessel owners/licence eligibility holders will use the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to go online to view, pay for and print the commercial fishing licences, conditions of licence, and/or receipts.

In accordance with the Service Fees Act, annual licence renewal fees will be adjusted by the annual rate of inflation determined by Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada.

2026/2027 commercial licence renewal fees can be found at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/fees-frais-eng.html

Upon the Department receiving the required payment, applicable documentation and information, the licence will be issued and notification will be sent via email to advise vessel owners/licence eligibility holders that a change has been made to the vessel/licence holder’s NOLS account. The licence documents, conditions of licence and receipt will be available to be printed at that time.

It is a condition of licence that the licence document and conditions of licence are on-board while actively harvesting.

Please note that as the conditions of licence for each Salmon fishery area become available, the licence renewal fee will be uploaded to the vessel owner/licence holders’ NOLS account.

For communal commercial licences, even though the fees are $0.00, clients are required to add a checkmark beside the licence(s) to renew, and click “Checkout” through NOLS.

For vessel designation, licence eligibility holders may submit the required information via the ‘Submit a Request’ menu selection within the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Full instructions are available at:
https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/products-produits/request-demande-eng.html

To check for 2025/2026 Salmon logbook clearance:

Contact the Commercial Salmon Catch Monitoring Unit (CSCMU) prior to hail-out ([email protected]).

Nil Reports and Statutory Declarations may be found on our web page in section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html

The Department also provides client support and assistance on how to use the system via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling toll-free at 1-877-535-7307 Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 AM to 19:00 PM Eastern Time.

05/27/2026

FN0511 Salmon: Gillnet - Area C - 2026 Licence Issuance Info

2026/2027 Salmon by Gillnet licence issuance for Area C is now available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Vessel owners/licence eligibility holders will use the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to go online to view, pay for and print the commercial fishing licences, conditions of licence, and/or receipts.

In accordance with the Service Fees Act, annual licence renewal fees will be adjusted by the annual rate of inflation determined by Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada.

2026/2027 commercial licence renewal fees can be found at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/fees-frais-eng.html

Upon the Department receiving the required payment, applicable documentation and information, the licence will be issued and notification will be sent via email to advise vessel owners/licence eligibility holders that a change has been made to the vessel/licence holder’s NOLS account. The licence documents, conditions of licence and receipt will be available to be printed at that time.

It is a condition of licence that the licence document and conditions of licence are on-board while actively harvesting.

Please note that as the conditions of licence for each Salmon fishery area become available, the licence renewal fee will be uploaded to the vessel owner/licence holders’ NOLS account.

For communal commercial licences, even though the fees are $0.00, clients are required to add a checkmark beside the licence(s) to renew, and click “Checkout” through NOLS.

For vessel designation, licence eligibility holders may submit the required information via the ‘Submit a Request’ menu selection within the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Full instructions are available at:
https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/products-produits/request-demande-eng.html

To check for 2025/2026 Salmon logbook clearance:

Contact the Commercial Salmon Catch Monitoring Unit (CSCMU) prior to hail-out ([email protected]).

Nil Reports and Statutory Declarations may be found on our web page in section 'Additional Licensing Services Forms' at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/licence-commercial-eng.html

The Department also provides client support and assistance on how to use the system via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling toll-free at 1-877-535-7307 Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 AM to 19:00 PM Eastern Time.

First gillnet opening of the year: The Area C gill net fishery will open for 24 hours, effective from 18:00 hours June ...
05/27/2026

First gillnet opening of the year:

The Area C gill net fishery will open for 24 hours, effective from 18:00 hours June 1, to 18:00 hours June 2, 2026, in the Bella Coola Gill Net Area, described: Subareas 8-15, 8-11, and a portion of 8-10 south southwest of a line at Deas Point from 52 degrees 23.133 minutes north latitude and 127 degrees 13.030 minutes west longitude to 52 degrees 21.876 minutes north latitude and 127 degrees 13.884 minutes west longitude.

Min Mesh 203 mm (8 inch). Max Depth 60 Meshes. Max Hang Ratio 3:1, 2.5:1 Alaska Twist, Corkline to Web Distance Min 0 cm, Max 45 cm.

Please note that this fishery is being conducted with non-retention of Chum for the 2026 season.

The target species in this fishery is Atnarko Chinook. This gill net fishery is being conducted with non-retention and non-possession of Chum, steelhead, Coho and Sockeye. Fishers are required to release all Chum, steelhead, Coho and Sockeye to the water with the least possible harm.

Operating revival boxes are mandatory and all prohibited species captured incidentally must be either revived in the revival tank and released, or released directly to the water with the least possible harm.

For full Fisheries Notice go to: https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=355528&ID=all

Justin Savickas
Central Coast
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Office: 250-799-5127

05/06/2026

The Newfoundland-Labrador Fish Harvesters'Union (FFAW-Unifor) just finished negotiating a great price for Turbot ($2.45/lb)

Skeena Sockeye - a disappointing prediction. The "Sibling Method" (looking at 4 and 5 year olds from last year) predic...
05/06/2026

Skeena Sockeye - a disappointing prediction.

The "Sibling Method" (looking at 4 and 5 year olds from last year) predicts 1,547,000 sockeye.

The "5 Year Average Method" predicts 2,306,000 sockeye.

The spread, of course is quite large - the spread for the "Sibling Method" is somewhere between 729,000 to 3.3 million with 1.547 million the most likely.

The "5 Year Average Method" has a spread from 1.1 million to 4.7 million with 2.306 million being the most likely.

If the run comes back to Canada at 1.55 million (Sibliing predict) the commercial Harvest Rate will be 10.53% or 163,158 for the total commercial harvest. The Commercial TAC is divided between the FN Demo fisheries, the Gillnets and the Seines.

1.55 million sockeye
10.53% HR
163,158 Commercial TAC
*of which 20% goes to FN PICFI Demo fisheries (32,632)
* leaving 80% (130,526) for the All-Citizens commercial to be divided between the
* gillnets (75% - 97,895) and seines (25% - 32,632)

If we use the "5 Year Average Model" number of 2,306,000 the calculations fall out like this:

2.306 million sockeye
23% HR
530,380 Commercial TAC
* of which 20% goes to FN PICFI Demos (106,076)
* leaving 80% (424,300) for the All-Citizens commercial
* gillnets (75% - 318,228) and seines (106,076)

So between the "Sibling Method" return of 1.547 million and the "5 Year Average" return of 2.306 million you get a total (FN Gn Sn) commercial allowable catch of between 163,000 and 530,000.

Why the big difference in catch? The reason is in the Harvest Rate chart below. You can see as the run size increases, the % you are allowed to catch increases (the harvest rate (HR) increases).
At a return of 1,050,000 you get zero %
at a return of 1.5 million you get 9.47%
at a return of 2 million you get 20%.

The rest goes past Tyee for spawning and for ESSR sales.

Now you probably know more than you ever wanted.... Sorry if it is confusing.
Joy

2026 Spring Economic Update re: Federal Government Fisheries Program FundingFrom Melanie Sonnenberg - President of the ...
04/30/2026

2026 Spring Economic Update re: Federal Government Fisheries Program Funding

From Melanie Sonnenberg - President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Fish Harvesters (cross-Canada fish harvester federation)

Good day,

The Minister of Finance just tabled the 2026 Spring Economic Update, titled "Canada Strong for All." This document provides much more specific financial commitments for the sector than the earlier departmental plans.

Here are the critical new details for fisheries:

1. Major Investment in Small Craft Harbours
The headline for the industry is a commitment of nearly $1 billion specifically for the repair and modernization of critical infrastructure at small craft harbours across the country. The update frames this as an essential move to protect livelihoods and empower coastal communities.

2. Five-Year Renewal of Fisheries Funds
The government has officially entered negotiations to renew the Canada Fisheries Funds for another five years.
• This is a cost-shared partnership (historically 70% federal, 30% provincial) designed to support innovation, infrastructure, and scientific partnerships.
• The goal of this renewal is to help harvesters and processors adapt to shifting global trade dynamics and enhance domestic competition.

3. Pacific Salmon Strategy
Confirmation of $412.9 million over five years has been locked in to continue the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative. This funding is aimed at habitat restoration and the stabilization of wild salmon stocks, which remain a high priority for West Coast operations.

4. Modernization & Licensing Review
The update reiterates the plan for a "comprehensive review of licensing policies." This is tied to a broader $1.88 billion departmental budget for DFO this year, focusing on:
• Accelerating the rollout of the Canadian Fisheries Information System.
• Moving toward a fully digital reporting system with electronic logbooks.

5. "Canada Strong Fund" Potential
While not exclusively for fisheries, the government introduced the Canada Strong Fund, a new national sovereign wealth fund designed to invest in "key, strategic Canadian projects." Given the focus on "nation-building initiatives," this could be a new avenue for large-scale maritime and seafood processing infrastructure.

04/22/2026

Commercial salmon fishing numbers vastly reduced over time, while salmon runs remain healthy but harvests and prices plummet.

DFO has calculated what is left of the salmon fleet after 6 rounds of a PSSI retirement buy-back. A total of 571 licence...
04/22/2026

DFO has calculated what is left of the salmon fleet after 6 rounds of a PSSI retirement buy-back. A total of 571 licences were retired plus 93 "other gillnet - likely N licences" for a grand fleet reduction of 664 licences.

We have included a table, below, of what is now left of the salmon fleet.

In 2026 - there are 203 seine licences, 867 gillnet, and 290 troll. A total of 1,360 total salmon licences left. The number of active salmon vessels is probably fewer than 400.

In 2022 there were 2,025 salmon licences, in 1999 there were 3,205 salmon licences and in 1995 (pre-Mifflin) there were 4,416 salmon licences.

We are also including pics of various licence related graphs.

The Real Question is:

In 1979, there were 4,759 vessels harvesting salmon - active fishermen who stood and fought for what they wanted. In 2026 there are fewer than 300.

Can salmon fishermen again unite and fight - For more access? For better prices? For Benefits? To keep the value of the fish in their own pockets?

04/19/2026

Strikes in the fishing industry are all about timing. You can get a company motivated to bargain if the fish run is about to start. Just ask Irv.

A cannery worker who became the head of the UFAWU-CAW, Irvin Figg spent decades in the B.C. fishing industry organizing for safer workplaces and fair contracts. Starting on the floor (and sometimes making repairs under it), he went on to serve as president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union, representing workers through strikes, industry restructuring, and major changes to coastal employment.

His two-part interview with volunteer ✨Sean Griffin is the newest in our collection. Thank you to volunteer ✨Jane Player for creating the transcript.

Part 1: https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/irvin-figg-interview-pt-1-solidarity-at-the-fish-plant/

Part 2: https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/irvin-figg-interview-pt-1-solidarity-at-the-fish-plant/

Address

Campbell River Labour Hall Society, 830 14th Avenue
Campbell River, BC
V9W4H4

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

604 519 3630

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