The president of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation is dispelling speculation that some recent high prices are the result of Saskatchewan’s exit from its monopoly.
On April 1st, commercial fishers in the province officially exited out from under the umbrella of the FFMC.
Since then, premiums have been added to whitefish sales — which one fisher estimates is about 20%.
However, FFMC president John Wood says the hike isn’t related to the province’s exit from the monopoly:
“No, it really has nothing to do with that. It’s the fact that we told the Saskatchewan fishers that we would treat them the same as everybody else — and everybody else has had a price premium added to their whitefish, so they’re enjoying the same thing as other parts of the fishery that are within the mandate.”
Wood adds the new arrangement seems to be working for everyone, as some fishing co-ops have already asked to sign on for another year.