Fishermen pull out of federation in protest

Press, 18 March 1982, Page 12

Fishermen pull out of federation in protest

PA Whangarei ] i The Whangarei Fisher- ‘ ] men’s Association and the 1 Tutukaka Coast Commercial Fishermen’s Association ] have withdrawn from the < Federation of Commercial I Fishermen after what they allege was the “undemo- 1 cratic” dismissal of the fed- i eration’s liaison officer. ! , The Whangarei association < left after a special meeting J and the Tutukaka association i has followed the example. ' The remaining Northland ( fishermen are expected to follow suit at a meeting of the" Northland combined 7 fishermen's management - committee. The federation’s liaison officer, Mr lan McWhanneli: has been sacked by the federation’s management after y

press statements attacking a new trawling venture proposed by Fletcher-Challenge fishing division. The division-plans to import two huge trawlers and complete crews to fish in New. Zealand waters. A spokesman for the Northland management committee, Mr Robert . Martin, said the fishermen were not arguing on the fact that Mr McWhanneli was sacked but the way. it was done. He said the decision had been taken without referral to the federation’s executive. - However, he said he believed the Northland fishermen ..support what Mr McWhanneli had been:saying, about the Fletcher-Challenge fishing venture.,. > . • “We feel he has been representing our views on the matter," he said.