INDIA: (subsidies) "WINDFALL FOR FISHERIES"

The online edition (13 July 2013) of “The Hindu” reported on an increase in the budget allocated to fuel subsidies to fishermen in the State of Karnataka. The article states that:

“To tackle the increasing overheads of mechanised fishing, the quantity of tax-free diesel for around 3,500 mechanised boats has been increased to 1.5 lakh kilolitres in this Friday’s Budget, up from 1.3 lakh kilolitres.

“This is is nearly 25 per cent more than the subsidy given last year…It’s a fantastic budget for fishermen. The focus on fishermen’s welfare scheme and of those owning boats will greatly help the sector,” said Loknath Bolar, vice president, Coastal Karnataka Fishermen Action Committee.

Similarly, the hike in kerosene oil allocation for traditional boats from 150 litres to 400 litres per month has met a “15-year demand”, said Mohan Bengre, a committee member at Karnataka Purse-seine Meenugarara Sangha.”

Note: 1.5 lakh is 5 million rupees or 85,000 USD and 1.3 is 3 million rupees or 51,000 USD (28 July 2013 exchange rates).

The article also mentions subsidies for fishermen’s welfare (construction of houses), for fishing infrastructure (e.g. ports and roads to ports) and for training.

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/windfall-for-fisheries/article4911686.ece

GHANA: subsidy for outboard motors for fishermen... and more.

In Ghana "the government has announced a subsidy on the price of 40 HP outboard motors from GH¢7, 500 to GH¢4,900 to help boost the fishing season which is expected in late June."

This is a quote from an article of the "Daily Graphic" appearing the Govrnment of Ghana's official portal (date: 18 April 2012).  

Translated into USD : a price reduction from around 4,000 USD to 2,644 USD per motor. 

Furthermore  Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, said on 11 April 2012 that "fishing communities, comprising 2,000 artisanal fishermen, were provided with echo sounders, a fisherman, were provided with echo sounders, a fishing device that made it easy for the fishermen to locate shoals of fish at sea.fishermen will receive" 

The article goes further and mentions that: "Mr Ahwoi disclosed that as part of the package to ensure the success of 2012 fishing season, MASLOC, in collaboration with MoFA, expected 1,000 outboard motors for sale to fishermen. In addition, MASLOC had ordered 100,778 metric tonnes of various mesh sizes of the legal netting materials for sale to fishermen."

Here is the link to the article in Ghana's official portal:

http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/features/12474-government-announces-subsidy-on-price-of-outboard-motors
 

INDIA: fishermen in the State of Karnataka get increased subsidy for... housing!

According to the Daijiworld Media Network the Indian State of Karnataka has increased the housing subsidy fro fishermen from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 (from USD 753 to USD 1130).

The article mentions that the State government "has set apart the sum of Rs. 11.41 crore for construction of 2,000 houses for fishermen in 2011-12." (Rs 11.41 crore is approximately USD 2.15 million).

The article also says that "...the Cabinet also decided to release Rs 2 crore to cooperatives of fishermen for granting loans at 3 per cent rate of interest." (Rs 2 crore amounts to + USD 377,000)

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=122320

OMAN: USD 260 million subsidies for fishermen, over five years.

An article in the online edition of Oman Daily Observer mentions the figure of Omani Rial (RO) 100 million (or USD 260 million) over five years financial assistance package to the Omani fishing and aquaculture industry.

The article quotes Dr Hamed bin Said al Oufi, Fisheries Wealth Under-Secretary as saying that the bulk of the subsidies will go to fisheries infrastructure. Dr. Al Oufi added that the planned amount was "is more than four times what was allotted during the previous Plan" and that "part of the allocation will also help finance the upgrade of the fishing fleet, marketing chain infrastructure, training, exploration of new markets, and improvements in the quality of fish."

Speaking about the state of the Omani fisheries industry he said that: “Subsidies are not the only thing that fishermen will need. There are other sources of financing: the Oman Development Bank (ODB), for example, gives loans at almost zero interest rate. This is the future of developing the sector. Subsidies, on the other hand, have two sides — a positive side and a negative side. People get subsidies and don’t become active because they don’t have to pay back anything.”

Another interesting statement by Dr. Al Oufi refers to the export prohibitions in place for "five notified species" . Looking in the Internet for more information on this export bans I found an article in the Oman Tribune where it is stated that the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, issued a decision banning export of kanad (kingfish), sahwa (tuna), al gethar, and al safi for six months, from December 1, 2011.

Here is the link to the article on subsidies in the Oman Daily Observer:

http://main.omanobserver.om/node/72497

Here the link to  the article of the Oman Tribune on the export prohibitions.

http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=106029&heading=Oman

USA: subsidies for at-sea monitoring (catch shares program)

Recently I came a across a couple of articles in the online edition of East-coast newspapers. The first article, posted at Southcoasttofday.com, dated 13 October 2011, is titled “Senators say bill seeks to protect fishermen, taxpayers”. It is about a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. that, if enacted, could, according to the newspaper “roll back” the catch shares programme in the ground fish industry. The newspaper quotes the following a statement by Senator Kelly Allote:

"To date, these costs have largely been subsidized by taxpayers, and fishermen will soon have to bear these additional costs themselves, which could push small fishermen out of business completely." 

In the article it is stated that the cost runs from 6 to 12 million USD per year. The full statement of Senator Allote can be found here:

http://ayotte.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=234

A later article, also in the Gloucester Time and dated 20 October 2011, refers to a field Senate Commerce Committee hearing in Boston, where National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA) Administrator Ms. Jane Lubchenco answered questions from Senators on the implementation of the catch shares programme in the East Coast.  The article mentions Ms Lubchenco pledge to continue to subsidise the at-sea monitoring cost through April 2013.

There is also a reference to reference to a letter by Ms Lubchenco, in response to a letter from Senator Kerry, where she  is ready to work with interested parties to issue, if necessary a commercial fishery "disaster declaration" related to the impacts of the catch share regimen on the groundfishery. This “disaster declaration” can trigger the payment of subsidies to fishermen.

Here is a link to Senators Kerry’s webpage where readers can find the requests addressed by Senator Kerry to NOAA and the response letter from Ms. Lubchenco.

http://kerry.senate.gov/press/release/?id=82f44f61-919f-4aae-8804-03b4425749f4

Here is also the link to the Senate’s Commerce Committee website where readers can find the written statements related to the field hearing in Boston on 3 October 2011:

http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Home

And here are the links to the press articles:

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111013/NEWS/110130321/-1/NEWS10Senators%20say%20bill%20seeks%20to%20protect%20fishermen,%20taxpayersSteve%20Urbon

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x859490826/NOAA-chief-extends-monitoring-payments

I also include the link to two video's. One is from Senator Allote questioning a Department of Commerce nominee on fisheries issues: 

And another from Mayor Carolyn A. Kirk, Democrat Gloucester Massachusetts asking  President Obama "to Stop New Regulations Driving Small Businesses Out of Business". The video was posted on 4 October 2011, i.e. one day after the field hearing of the Senate's Commerce Committee:

ALGERIA: minimum salary for fishermen for "biological stops"

Algeria will be paying subsidies for fishermen who have to stop fishing activities to let fish reproduce. The subsidy cosnsists of a minimum guaranteed monthly salary of 18,000 Algerian Dinar (250 USD).

Here is the link to an article (in French) published by AFP - Romandie News

http://www.romandie.com/news/n/_Un_salaire_minimum_aux_pecheurs_algeriens_afin_de_proteger_les_popissons051020111510.asp

USA: subsidies for the shrimp processing industry in Louisiana

According to the press a new shrimp processing facility will open in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

In some of the articles I found on the Internet it is mentioned that   "the state [Louisiana] is providing a $1.09 million loan guaranty to Baton RougeShrimp, and the company is expected to utilize the state’s Enterprise Zone and Industrial Tax Exemption programs."

Here are the links to the articles:


http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110926/APN/1109260795

http://www.southerngovernors.org/articleview.aspx?articleid=7338

Congressman Faleomavaega mentions "U.S. tax payer subsidising right to fish"

Here is a video posted by Greenpeace USA where Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega of American Samoa welcomes the Greenpeace ship"Esperanza".

In the video he makes a reference the access agreement that the US has with some Pacific nations and to the fact that some fishing companies are benefiting from "U.S. tax payer subsidised right to fish".

INDIA: subsidies for fuel and out of board motors

Public authorities in India, (central government and States)  have an history of supporting the fisheries sector (see my post tagged “India”).  India has also been very adamant at the WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies in defending the possibility by governments to give subsidies to fisheries, especially in developing countries. This is confirmed by the written proposals that India has submitted to the WTO.

Recently the State of Goa has published an order for the implementation/continuation of the of State Sector Scheme “Financial Assistance towards subsidy for purchase of Kerosene for Out Board Motor Operators”.

I copy here a couple of extracts of the order.

For fuel, fishermen eligible for the aid will receive a: 

“lump sum subsidy of Rs. 30,000/- (Rupees Thirty thousand only) per year on a minimum consumption of 2000 litres of Kerosene.” 

For Out Board Motors: 

“The beneficiary will be entitled for financial assistance to the extent of 50% of the cost limited to Rs. 40,000/- (Rupees Forty thousand only) per O.B.M. of 8-10 HP to be shared by the State and the Central Government from the year 2011-12 of which the Central share shall be 50% of the eligible subsidy limited to Rs. 15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen thousand only) and balance of Rs. 25,000/- shall be borne by the State Government. The bank will finance the loan amount to the extent of the cost of the out board motor hypotheticating the canoe of the applicant and considering the cost of the canoe as margin money and also taking into account of Rs. 40,000/- (Rupees Forty thousand only) as a Government subsidy. Motor purchased with self finance are also eligible for subsidy at the above rate.”

Readers will note that the subsidy for the Out board motors receive financing from the Indian Central Government.

Here is a link to an article by the “Times of India” on this subsidy.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-07/goa/29861085_1_kerosene-new-scheme-subsidy

And here a link to the order published by the Government of the Indian State of Goa. 

http://www.goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/1112/1112-14-SI-OG.pdf

USA: Starkist and Tri-marine to benefit from government owned near-shore cold storage facilty?

Some media have reported that Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa is seeking to make available to Tri Marine International and to Starkist a 2,400 tonnes cold storage freeze facility, to be located in the Department of Port Administration in the port area. The local fishing fleet would also benefit from this facility.

Also according to press reports Governor Togiola is seeking federal financial assistance to finance the project.

Here a few links on the subject:

http://samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=24775&edition=1300788000

http://www.samoanewsonline.com/publicviewstory.php?storyid=27119&newspaperid=189

OMAN: subsidies for the purchase of fishing vessels, engines, gear, fish processing equipment, etc

A recent press release from Oman's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (17 May 2011) announced a new regulation which provides for a whole array of subsidies for the artisanal fishing sector.

According to the press release the new regulation:

"...includes subsidizing the artisan fishing sector for purchasing fishing boats, engines, instruments and equipment used in the artisan fishing boats, as well as the artisan fishing accessories, in addition to the subsidy allocated for purchasing the long fishing threads, electric cranes used in the artisan fishing boats and GPS and other equipment."

and

"also included the coastal fishing subsidy for purchasing and possessing fishing equipment, quality control devices, subsidizing the fishing industries, such as, the fish drying and preparation equipment whether by salting, smoking or storing."

Here is the link to this press release:

http://www.omannews.gov.om/ona/english/newsDetails_inc.jsp?newsID=51651

 Another press, of 18 May 2011, article of ONA (Oman News Agency) gives a few figures of the Omani fishing sector

"The fisheries sector is one of the major contributors to non-oil/gas generated income, but it is seen as having an even much greater potential with Omani fishing waters being regarded as among the richest in the world. The sector and associated industry plays a vital role in the economy, as well as in the livelihoods of tens-of-thousands of fishermen and employees in the fisheries industry. The sector’s huge growth can be directly related to its importance and the confidence placed in it by public and private sector investors. It generated substantial income with figures for 2009, showing that over 158,000 tonnes of fish with a value of RO104 million were landed, a growth of four per cent compared to 2008. In 2010, local authorities have worked hard to ensure that specified rules and regulations are adhered to by fishermen."

And here is the link to the above press article:

http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=45062&rand=

USA: subsidies for sector start-up costs and dock side monitoring for New England fishermen

Here is a catch from the Net! 

Here are a couple of links with information on the above subject. The one with the presentation titled  Accessing Federal Funding for Dockside Monitoring & Sector Operations slides (in PDF)  is particularly interesting as it provides a nice overview of how the programme  works.

http://www.gmri.org/upload/files/Dockside%20Monitoring%20Funding%20Presentation.pdf

http://www.gmri.org/upload/files/Dockside%20Monitoring%20Funding%20FAQs.pdf

USA: proposal for fuel subsidies for commercial fishermen in Maine

In recent weeks I have written a few posts on fuel subsidies.

Here is one on a bill in the State of Maine to Refund the Sales Tax Paid on Fuel Used in Commercial Fishing Vessels

The Republicans in Main are proposing a series of tax cuts, including taxes on fuel used by fishing vessels. In one press article (see link hereunder) State Senator Trahan is quoted as saying that "The elimination of the sales tax on fuel used in the Gulf of Maine is aimed at encouraging fishermen to bring their fish to Portland, rather than Massachusetts".

Here is the link with official information on the bill on fishing vessels :

 

http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280039215

Here the article on tax cuts (including in fuel for fishing vessels) proposed by the Republicans in Maine:

 

http://www.pressherald.com/news/gop-plan-for-budget-calls-for-tax-cuts_2011-04-15.html

CHINA: fuel subsidies for 20 million fishermen

A recent article by the Chinese news agency Xinhua mentioned that the Chinese government will continue providing subsidies to fishermen to purchase fuel for fishing operations.

According to the article “In 2006 alone, the central budget allocated two batches of subsidies at 3.18 billion yuan”.

Converted into USD at current exchange rates this makes around 580 million USD. What it is unclear to me is whether the figure corresponds to one batch only. If this were to be the case then for 2006 the total subsidy amount would be 1160 million USD.

The article goes further indicating that a Ministry of Agriculture official stated that “the ministry will strengthen the implementation of the policy in the country's 12th Five-Year Program period (2011-2015).”

I also wonder whether the Chinese fishermen pay taxes on their fuel.

Here are the links to the article (one to Xinhua and another to the People's Daily online):

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/07/c_13765575.htm

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90860/7311555.html

CENTRAL AMERICA: government-to-government(s) fisheries subsidies?

My previous post was about Argentina, this one is about the Central American Region.

Here is a press release, in Spanish, about a donation by the government of Taiwan to the "Organización del Sector Pesquero y Acuícola del Istmo Centroamericano (OSPESCA)" for the "Proyecto de Apoyo al Proceso de Integración de la Pesca y la Acuicultura Centroamericana (PRIPESCA)".

The donation, USD 641,666, is part of a total of USD 4,400,000 that Taiwan will pay for the financing of the above project.

Here is the link to the webpages (in Spanish) of the OSPESCA project:

http://www.sica.int/ospesca/ospesca_breve.aspx?IdEnt=47

WTO: subsidies notifications - Republic of Korea - (the US puts questions on fish subsidies)

Here are the questions put by the US and the corresponding replies by Korea. The WTO document reference is G/SCM/Q2/KOR/37, of 15 October 2010.

Reading through the replies I was struck by the fact that Korea is planning subsidies for the construction of "long range" fishing vessels.

Question 1

According to publicly available sources, the Korea Fisheries Association said the fuel subsidy provided by the government to the fishing industry is the most important program, accounting for up to 50 per cent of total fisheries subsidies. Please describe the nature and operation of this program, and the amounts provided under the program during the period covered by the new and full notification.

Reply

The following information is without prejudice to whether the program is covered by Article 25.2 of the SCM Agreement. For the nature and operation of the program, Article 106-2 of the Act on the Restriction of Special Tax Treatment provides as follows.

Article 106-2 (Abatement or Exemption of Value-Added Tax, etc. on Petroleum Products for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Coastal Passenger Ships)

(1) Among the following petroleum products (referring to the petroleum products under the Petroleum and Petroleum Substitute Fuel Business Act; hereafter referred to as "tax-free petroleum" in this Article), the value-added tax on the supplies delivered on or before June 30, 2012 and the individual consumption tax, the traffic, energy and environment tax, the education tax, and the driving tax on the supplies released from a manufacturing place or a bonded area on or before the afore-stated date shall be reduced or exempted as prescribed by Presidential Decree, while the value-added tax on the supplies delivered during the period between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 and the individual consumption tax, the traffic, energy and environment tax, the education tax, and the driving tax on the supplies released from a manufacturing place or a bonded area during the afore-stated period shall be abated by 75/100 of each tax under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree:

1. Petroleum products required by a farmer, a forestry person, or a fishery person specified by Presidential Decree (hereafter referred to as "farmer, forester, or fisherman" in this Article) for the purposes of agriculture, forestry, or fisheries, which are prescribed by Presidential Decree; and

2. Petroleum products supplied directly to the Korea Shipping Association established pursuant to the Korea Shipping Association Act for the use in passenger ships operating on coastal waters.

(2) In cases where certain petroleum products delivered to a petroleum distributor (hereafter referred to as a "petroleum distributor" in this Article) prescribed by Presidential Decree, including a gas station, with the value-added tax, the individual consumption tax, the traffic, energy and environment tax, the education tax, and the driving tax already levied thereon and supplied to a farmer, forester, or fisher falls under paragraph (1) 1, the petroleum distributor may file an application under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree to have the refund of the tax amount otherwise exempted or have the tax amount payable or collectible reduced by the amount.

(3) A farmer, forester, or fisherman who desires to have tax-free petroleum supplied shall file a report on the current status of agricultural machines, forestry machines, or ships and facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree in possession (hereafter referred to as "agricultural machines, etc." in this Article) and the fact that the person has engaged in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries, under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree, with a cooperative under the Agricultural Cooperatives Act Agricultural Cooperatives Act, a cooperative under the Forestry Cooperatives Act Forestry Cooperatives Act, or a cooperative under the Fisheries Cooperatives Act Fisheries Cooperatives Act(hereafter referred to as a "cooperative acting as an institution responsible for control of tax-free petroleum" in this Article), and shall also file a report on a change within 30 days from the day on which such a change occurs, if any change in the reported matters occurs, such as the acquisition or transfer of an agricultural machine, etc., the death of the farmer, forester, or fisher, and giving up the agricultural, forestry, or fishery business.

(4) A farmer, forester, or fisher who desires to have tax-free petroleum supplied shall obtain a card for purchasing tax-free petroleum or a delivery order prescribed by the Presidential Decree and issued by a cooperative acting as an institution responsible for control of tax-free petroleum (hereafter referred to as "tax-free petroleum purchase cards, etc." in this Article).

The total amount of fuel subsidy provided to the fishing industry was 788 billion won in 2007 and 614 billion won in 2008.

Question 2

The Korean press has reported that Korea plans to allocate 7.09 trillion won (US$6.24 billion) in investment funds and loans to the Korean fisheries industry. The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries stated that it would also launch 38 new long-range fishing vessels to replace old boats and that up to 1,085 fishing boats will be given light-emitting diodes as fish-luring lights. Please provide further details on these plans and the proposed terms and conditions on the investment funds and loans.

Reply

The following reply contains information for the period not covered by 2009 new and full subsidy notifications which had been circulated in the G/SCM/N/186 … series.

Total amount of funds and loans for the five-year period between 2010 and 2014 was set at 7.12 trillion won including 1.39 trillion won in 2010 (fixed), 1.39 trillion won for 2011, 1.44 trillion won for 2012, 1.44 trillion won for 2013 and 1.46 trillion won for 2014 (estimated and subject to change depending on the final national budget plan of each year).

Under the Old Fishing Vessel Replacement Program, the Korean government provided 16.4 billion won of loan for replacing two vessels in 2010 with condition of 4 per cent interest rate and repayment for seven years after a lapse of three years. The limit of loan was set at 70 per cent of the total construction cost. The other 36 vessels are planned to be replaced during 2011-2014.

"The Program to Support Vessels to Install LED Lights" aims at energy saving and carbon emission reduction. In the program, it is planned to grant 6.5 billion won to 1,085 vessels which will be equipped with LED lights from 2009 to 2013. Each year 1.3 billion is granted to 217 vessels. The government grant is provided to cover 40 per cent of the total installing cost.

USA: the State of Louisiana asks BP to fund a large aid package to the fishing industry

In August 2010 Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal called BP to provide funds for a long-term testing and a marketing campaign to convince consumers seafood from his state is safe. More specifically he asked BP to fund a funding of a USD 173 million plan to ensure the safety of Louisiana seafood and restore consumer confidence.

Governor Jindal made this call after he announced on 19 August 2010 that BP had agreed to fund a three-year, USD 13 million fishery-resource monitoring plan.

In actual fact the total cost of the “Louisiana Seafood Safety Response and Certification Plan”, which could cover a 20 year implementation period, has been estimated at USD 457 million.

According to the plan USD 276,703,354 would be spent in media purchases for the public education campaign. A detailed reading of the yearly budgeted amounts reveals that during the first five years of the plan a yearly amount of USD 20-30 million would be spent in “ad buys”, i.e. media purchases.

If, for the sake of argument, BP would agree to provide this funds to the Louisiana’s budget, or to disburse them as directed by Louisiana’s authorities, would this a subsidy in the sense of the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures?

I referred to a similar situation where fishermen in Cape Cod where getting “subsidies” from the Pew Group (see my post of 1 November 2009 “USA: "charitable" fisheries subsidies and the WTO”)

Here are links to:

Governor’s Jindal announcement on 19 August 2010:


http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/81910Fishery.html

A letter dated 15 September 2010 from Lousiana’s Department for Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham reiterating the call for BP to fund an Extensive Seafood Testing, Certification and Marketing Plan to Robert Dudley Chief Executive Officer of BP Global.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/32931

Lousiana’s Department for Wildlife and Fisheries page, which includes a link to the plan


http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/louisiana-seafood-safety-response-and-certification-plan

NORWAY: report on aid provided to the cod sector

Some readers may remember that, in late 2009, I wrote various on the aid measures that the Norwegian government took to help companies in the cod sector to withstand the crisis creted by low prices in the consumer market.

Well now NOFIMA, a state controlled, business oriented research group working in research and development for the aquaculture, fisheries and food industry in Norway, has published a report on the crisis.

In the press release by NOFIMA (31 August 2010) one can read:

“In order to help the situation, the authorities implemented a series of measures. These included offering loans and guarantees, funds for marketing and subsidies for the transportation of fish between different regions. The cod quotas were also increased.”

Here is the link to the English version of the press release:

http://www.nofima.no/marked/en/nyhet/2010/09/that-s-why-the-cod-had-trouble

And here the link to the report (in Norwegian):

http://www.nofima.no/filearchive/Rapport%2023-2010.pdf

PHILIPPINES: Subsidies for fish workers affected by tuna a fishing ban

Here is a press release by the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the above subject:

Press Releases

DOLE launches action program to workers affected by the tuna fishing ban

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 launched Friday, February 26, 2010 the DOLE Action Program for workers displaced due to the tuna fishing ban in General Santos City.

DOLE 12 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Gloria Tango said that initially, the DOLE provided emergency employment assistance to workers displaced due to the ban by adopting the 60-40 mode of payment to workers for a period of 30 days. Sixty percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the region will come from DOLE while the remaining 40 percent will be shouldered by the participating affected company.

Tango said that the Damalerio Fishing Corporation (DFC), a group of companies composed of Celebes Tuna Fishing Corporation, Tuna Venture Corporation and Damalerio Fishing Enterprise availed of the said package of assistance that will benefit a total of 207 displaced workers.

Tango turned over the 1st tranche amounting to P456,435.00 representing the 60 percent of the workers minimum wage to Aurea Damalerio, President of the Damalerio Group of Companies held at the fishport compound last February 26, 2010.

The displaced workers of the companies will do maintenance work such as painting, welding, carpentry, electrical/mechanical repair, net-mending, refrigeration and hardware stock inventory.

Tango also said that NH Agro Industrial, Inc., another tuna fishing company affected by the closure of the 2 pockets in the Western and Central Pacific shall avail of DOLE’s Kabuhayan Starter Kits for its displaced workers or their beneficiaries.

She also said that youth beneficiaries/dependents of said workers will be prioritized in the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) or the Kabataan Information Technology Opportunities (K-ITo) as mentors if they qualify.

Other affected companies may also avail of the Workers’ Income Augmentation Program (WINAP) of DOLE.

http://ro12.dole.gov.ph/default.php?retsamlakygee=93&resource=cfe6055d2e0503be378bb63449ec7ba6

CANADA: subsidies for the fish processing industry

I copy here under a press release by the Provincial Government of New Brunswick.

As you can see this Canadian Provincial Government is "providing a $3-million forgivable loan as part of a $12-million project that will help maintain more than 1,000 jobs in southwestern New Brunswick."

According to an online article of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, if Connors maintains the 1.000 jobs in Blacks Harbour, the loan will not have to pay back the loan.

News Release

Business New Brunswick

Province supports efficiency upgrades at Blacks Harbour fish processor

24 June 2010 Media Contact(s)

Ashley Bursey, communications, Business New Brunswick, 506-461-0942, ashley.bursey@gnb.ca; Mike Randall, communications, Connors Bros., 506-878-3025.

BLACKS HARBOUR (CNB) - The provincial government is making an investment to help Connors Bros. complete efficiency upgrades to its processing plant. Premier Shawn Graham made the announcement today.

Graham made the announcement during a tour of the plant with Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet; Nabil Salib, plant general manager and company vice-president; Tony Hooper, company vice-president; and Ron Schindler, company executive vice-president.

"This company has been a vital part of our provincial economy since the 1890s," said Graham. "As we move toward a self-sufficient future, our plan for lower taxes and our strategic investments in key industries are helping companies to jump into new markets and diversify their products. Connors Bros. is an important example of how the revitalization of a traditional industry can carry a company successfully into the future."

The provincial government is providing a $3-million forgivable loan as part of a $12-million project that will help maintain more than 1,000 jobs in southwestern New Brunswick.

Connors Bros. is one of Canada's oldest food producers and the largest producer of canned sardines worldwide. In 2004, the operations of Connors Bros. merged with those of Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC and Clover Leaf Seafoods Co.

"We are proud to call Blacks Harbour the Sardine Capital of the World," said Schindler. "The assistance from the province means we can continue to produce a variety of high-quality canned seafood to compete in a global market. This modernization initiative will improve plant efficiencies and working conditions while helping us become more energy-efficient. These changes will be good for business, for our employees and for our future."

The Blacks Harbour plant is the only sardine cannery in North America. Its various companies produce canned tuna, salmon, sardines, clams, oysters, other specialty seafood products and canned meat products to a global market.

"In New Brunswick, our people are our greatest resource," said Doucet. "Our government is pleased to support one of our province's oldest and most significant employers as it continues to improve this facility for its workers and to find innovative solutions to stay competitive in a dynamic world marketplace."

24-06-10

Here are the links to the Provincial press release and to the story published by CBC:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2010.06.1072.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/06/25/nb-sardines-conners-bros-jobs-607.html