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Qikiqtaaluq Corp. launches new fishing vessel

Four Inuit among crew catching, processing shrimp

JOHN THOMPSON

The MV Saputi, a new factor freezer trawler purchased by Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp., left Grace Harbour in Newfoundland on Oct. 26, and began fishing for shrimp off Baffin Island last week. (PHOTO COURTESY OF QC)

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A new fishing vessel caught shrimp off Baffin Island last week, with four Inuit employees involved in the processing and packaging of the catch.

The MV Saputi, a 64-metre factory freezer trawler, flies the Qikiqtaaluk Corp. Fisheries banner. QC has a 51 per cent share in the company, with the remaining shares held by Nataaqnaq Fisheries Inc., who will manage vessel operations.

QFC purchased the trawler for $10.2 million earlier this year.

"Right now they're fishing... wait, I'll show you," said Peter Keenainak, vice president of QC, from his office in Iqaluit last week. With a few clicks of his mouse, he magnifies the location of the MV Saputi and calculates its distance from Iqaluit: 336 miles.

QC negotiated with Nataaqnaq Fisheries and several other Maritime-based companies from March to July this year. In the end, Nataaqnaq won out. Nataaqnaq Fisheries is the same company that owns the factory freezer trawler the Inuksuk 1, which the BFC is currently leasing to own.

Keenainak said QC chose Nataaqnaq largely because they were willing to give QC controlling interests in the company, and the option to purchase the rest of the shares over time.

QC also continues to control its fishing licenses, which have not been transferred over to QFC.

Qikiqtaaluk Corp. VP Peter Keenainak says a majority ownership in the new fishing venture is a break from the old way of doing business, where southern companies would purchase the right to fish in exchange for a slice of the royalties. (PHOTO BY JOHN THOMPSON)

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The new venture is a change from the old way of doing business, where southern companies would purchase the right to fish in exchange for a slice of the royalties - usually between five and 12 per cent, Keenainak said.

That model continues in some parts of the North. For example, Unaaq Fisheries Inc., a joint-venture between QC and Makivik Corp., recently entered a long-term fishing agreement with Clearwater Atlantic Seafood Inc. that allows the Nova Scotia-based company to fish Makivik's shrimp quota. That deal lasts until 2015.

From the new vessel's crew of 26, four Inuit are employed from around the Baffin area. The company aims to employ eight Inuit next year. Keenainak said another goal is to promote Inuit to the higher-ranking positions on board. Currently the Inuit crew spends most their time processing, packing, and freezing the fish, which is all done on board. "It's ready for the market," he said.

Rather than sell to domestic markets, most of the catch will be shipped to Europe or Asia. Keenainak said that's where there is most demand for northern shrimp.

The new company is separate from the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, although the Inuit workers on board were trained through BFC-sponsored courses.

QC became motivated to purchase a vessel of their own this year after a discussion with the federal minister of the department of fisheries and oceans, who had a pointed message for them.

"We were told if we weren't actively investing in fisheries, don't expect to get more allocations," Keenainak said.

"I think that was the real turning point at the time."

QC is one of 17 parties who receive shrimp allocations in waters that stretch from mid-way up Baffin Island down to the southern tip of Newfoundland. The new vessel is capable of operating year-round, and QFC has plans to fish off Qikiqtarjuaq before freeze-up this year.

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