General Annual Meeting Minutes from Feb 2018

The regular general annual meeting was held on the above date there were 29 fishers in attendance.
The meeting opened with the reading of the minutes from the previous years meeting and the follow up meeting from April 5/17. Motion William Matheson second David Murrant that the minutes be accepted as read.
This was followed by the President’s report. Basically everything went well. According to Herbie’s numbers the quota was overrun by 497 pounds in 4VN and in 4T there is quota left, due to being shut down because of lack of observers and the right whale situation.
At this point Herb Nash asked Amy to read the financial report. At the time of the meeting there had been no change to the GIC, there was $35,506.92 owing to the management board from invoices and in the bank account once all invoices paid will be $96845.07. The last 2 numbers (amount owing and bank account) may change due to DFO numbers, as they have been adding 4VSW’s numbers to our 4VN numbers as overruns on the 4VN quota. Motion Greg Organ second Randy MacEachern that the financial report be accepted. carried
Question was asked concerning delay in one of the openings in the 4VN fishery. This occurred because a DFO Staff was on vacation
Then the question was asked what can be done about this. Ray Sherwood stated that this would be addressed in the resolutions when we discuss turnarounds.
A question was then asked concerning the wright whale situation.
Motion Ray Sherwood, second Joey Rambeau that it is recommend by the association that the fishers use the best ways in their means to reduce excess rope on the surface. Carried.
There was an update concerning the quota numbers coming from DFO being crossed between 4VN and 4VSW. A motion was put forth by Ray Sherwood, that in order for us to keep better track of our own numbers, we should have a way to keep track of said numbers.
Motion Ray Sherwood second John Arthur Soloman that when you hail out to DFO you will also contact by call, text or email Amy that you are going fishing(stating name of captain, date of sailing and boat name) and within 48 hours of landing  provide to her a photo of your logbook. Carried
Then there was a discussion on sanctions from our group on individuals who were charged and convicted in court. There are sanctions that are included in our contracts now that can be enforced, however discussion occurred that fishers would rather plead guilty and a pay fine as this is cheaper then hiring a lawyer and fighting it. It was suggested but not made a motion that possibly repeat offenders be suspended for the following year.
Motion Greg Organ second Blair Fricker that an email be sent to the powers that be (representatives from DFO) for better enforcement in our fishery. Paul Gentile, Lorne Penny, etc. carried by a vote of 14 for,6 against.
At this point all seats were declared vacant and Stewart MacPherson ran the election process.
Nominations were then asked for the position of President
Ray Sherwood nominated Herbie Nash. There were no other nominations and Herb Nash accepted the position.
A call was then put forth for the position vice president
Herb Nash nominated Ray Sherwood. No other nominations were put forth and Ray Sherwood accepted the position.
Then a call was put forth for members of the executive.
Nominated for the board:
Tommie Symes, Stewart Whitty, Stewart MacPherson, Bernie MacDonald and Joey Rambeau all accepted the position.
Then thoughts turned to the openings for the coming year, consensus was that the board would determine quotas and start dates. The current split of 45% for the spring and 55% for fall fishery remain, as this seems to be a happy medium.
Sign up for the coming fisheries must be done before March 15th, all will be notified as to when and where Amy will be holding sessions for the signing of contracts.
With no further items the meeting was adjourned.