Fishermen and Farmers Unions in common conservation cause

07 August 2007

The West Coast’s largest commercial fishermen’s organization announced today its affiliation with the National Farmers Union (NFU).  The announcement was made at the offices of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) in conjunction with a meeting with NFU President Tom Buis and NFU’s California chapter president, Joaquin Contente. 

“It’s time for our nation’s family farmers and family fishermen to work together on behalf of America ’s food producers – whether they harvest the soil or the sea,” said PCFFA Executive Director Zeke Grader. “Our common interests include conservation of our lands and waters, preservation of our communities, the production and promotion of safe, healthful and affordable food, fair prices for food producers, and fair trade.”

NFU’s membership includes 250,000 farm and ranch families.  PCFFA, which was founded in 1976, is a federation of fishing organizations.  Currently it boasts 14 different fishing associations, mostly in California , but with some membership in Oregon and Washington as well.  Fishing families, represented by PCFFA’s member groups, are engaged in the catch of many different species, including salmon, crab, rockfish, blackcod and lingcod, sole, halibut, herring, sardine, squid and sea cucumber. 

Tuesday’s announcement is taking place in conjunction with a west coast visit by NFU President Tom Buis to discuss the 2008 Farm Bill with the organization’s California membership.  The House of Representatives just passed its version of the Farm Bill and the U.S. Senate is expected to take it up after the August recess. 

Grader said provisions in the Farm Bill, particularly the conservation programs, highlight a convergence of interests among farmers and fishermen – particularly those programs designed to conserve soil, preserve farm land and protect water quality as it affects fish populations.

"With all the recent attention on food issues, fishermen and farmers now have a common platform that will enable their members to aggressively address the challenges that face these legendary food producers,” said Half Moon Bay commercial fisherman Pietro Parravano. “This solidarity will raise the level of pride that America has with their farmers and fishermen. They represent centuriwa old cultures that have been the icons of families who har hard working and dedicated."

Parravano is President of the Institute for Fisheries Resources and was one of two commercial fishing representatives on the Pew Oceans Commission. The Pew Oceans Commission looked extensively at the interface between the land and the sea.  

In addition to his work with the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, Parravano serves on “Roots of Change” a group promoting the preservation of local food production and America ’s family food producers, including artisanal and organic growers.

“Forming this partnership is one step in the process of understanding the connection between the land and the ocean. The next step is moving this connection toward a public dialogue of establishing policy that supports the increase of food production of America’s abundant natural resources both on land and in the oceans,” concluded Parravano.

PCFFA is not the first fishing organization to affiliate with the NFU. Recently hook fishermen from Cape Cod joined with the area’s cranberry farmers to form the New England Farmer’s Union .