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Subsidiary Companies / Joint Ventures / Unaaq

Unaaq is a joint venture between the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (Baffin) and Makivik Corporation (Nunavik). These two regions share a northern shrimp fishing licence. Unaaq has entered into a long-term agreement with Clearwater Fine Foods Inc., an established fishing company from Nova Scotia, whose vessels harvest the allocations and provide Unaaq with revenue sharing and Inuit employment.

Clearwater has employed several Inuit onboard their factory shrimp trawlers. The majority of these fishermen are part of a pool of experienced Inuit fishermen, many of whom have been working aboard the shrimp trawlers for many years. Inuit fishermen working on these shrimp vessels receive training before being employed. This year, another twelve fishermen successfully completed their pre-sea training in Inukjuak. The new recruits will be placed on an eligibility list as soon as they obtain passports and will receive employment within the next year.

The price of shrimp has dropped significantly during the past year but the market has recently rebounded somewhat. Shrimp prices directly affect both revenues and crew wages and the development of a stronger market will encourage stronger prices to become established. In addition, a modest increase in the shrimp allocations has helped enhance revenues and partially offset the impact of lower prices.

In 1999, some changes were incorporated into the fishing agreement with Clearwater including a new revenue sharing formula that takes into account some of the fluctuations within the fishery. These changes will result in better revenues for Unaaq during most years.

Another important change involved the issues of training. Specifically, it was agreed that training would be more efficient if both the vessel owner and licence-holder were involved in training. To this end, it was agreed that both parties would jointly develop a training plan which would clearly define how a new recruit could receive training and graduate to more advanced positions aboard the fishing vessels. Under the plan, each position would require additional training as well as increased time spent at sea. As well, each level of employment requires more responsibility but would also mean better pay. The new plan should enable experienced fishermen to make a clearer choice of career path. Fishermen will be evaluated taking into consideration such things as work ethic, leadership skills and responsibility. As trainees worked with the captains, vessel owners and licence-holders, they would be evaluated and encouraged to attain their career potential.

Both parties have also begun informal discussions leading to the selection of training committee members. Additional formal discussions to pursue this issue are planned for the near future.