About Us
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Grand Manan Fishermen's Association
"Professional Fishermen Working Together"
The Grand Manan Fishermen's Association was established in 1981. Our motto has been "Professional Fishermen Working Together". Over the past twenty years, the Association has tried to meet its mandate and to provide advice to government on fishery management issues,
In 1987, the Fundy Marine Service Centre opened. The Travelift and boatyard provide fishermen with the opportunity to repair, paint, and store their boats. This facility, the only one of its kind in Southern New Brunswick, is operated by the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association through a lease from the provincial government. The expansion has begun on this facility!
The Grand Manan Fishermen's Association also manages the Grand Manan Harbour Authority, which is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the wharves. The Harbour Authority secured funding for harbour dredging and continues to lobby the federal government for large scale expansions to local harbours.
From 1989 to 1994, the Weir Sector organized over-the-side sales of surplus large herring to Russian Factory vessels. This program was a proven success, injecting new money into the island economy. The Weir Sector has a strong mandate to provide equipment to fishermen. For example: two twine mending sheds, two twine trucks used for handling twine, and one twin storage shed. The Weir Sector is under extreme pressure due to declined catches and competition for space. These problems are the focus of the sector.
Services for fishermen operated by the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association include: wharf winches, waste oil disposal depots, a 4-wheel drive tractor and fuel pontoons for Seal Cove and Ingalls Head - allowing for 24 hour access to fuel to the Fundy fleet.
Membership benefits include a fleet insurance programs with Fairway insurance as well as reduced rates for fuel and lubricants from Irving Oil.
The continuing challenge of the Association is to generate funds to provide these services (and more in the future) and to provide advice in the successful management of the resources. Resource partnerships will challenge our Association well into the 21st Century.
The day to day business of the Association is managed by a Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of seven directors representing each village on the island, and an Executive made up of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These individuals have made a positive difference in the evolution of this dynamic organization.
The GMFA also provides representation for local fishermen on the following:
- Atlantic Lobster Sustainability
- Canadian Marine Advisory Committee
- Eastern Fishermen's Federation
- Gulf of Maine Advisory Committee
- Groundfish ITQ Committee
- Harbour Authority Advisory Committee
- Inshore Scallop Advisory Committee
- Lobster Council of Canada
- Marine Resource Planning
- Maritime Region Lobster Advisory Comittee
- Maritime Region Roundtable
- Right Whale Recovery Network
- Scotia Fundy Developing Species Advisory Board
- Scotia Fundy Herring Advisory Committee
- Scotia Fundy 45 Fixed Gear Committee
- Scotia Fundy Professional Fishermen Registration & Training Association
- Southwestern New Brunswick Developing Species Advisory Board
- Southwestern New Brunswick Groundfish Management Board
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