United Maritime Fishermen Co-op

Following the public grievances of poverty-striken fishermen of Canso, N.S., the federal government appointed a Royal Commission in 1927 to investigate the state of the fishing industry in the Maritime provinces. Based on the commission's recommendations, the federal Department of Fisheries appointed Rev. Dr. M.M. Coady in August 1929 to organize cooperatives of fishermen in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the Magdalen Islands. During the fall and winter of 1929-30 over one hundred local unions were established, each consisting of at least fifteen fishermen. At the first annual convention held at Halifax 25-26 June 1930, all of the locals were federated into the United Maritime Fishermen and a constitution was adopted. Chester P. McCarthy of P.E.I. served as president for the first year until he led Prince Edward Island out of the UMF. The objectives of the association were to promote the interests and education of fishermen in all branches of the fishing industry; to study and promote cooperative activities; to seek and support legislation benefitting the fishing industry; and to defend the rights and interests of its members. Activities of the association included operating lobster canneries, fish plants, supply stores, and the marketing of fish products. Incorporated in 1947, the UMF central office was based in Halifax. In 1969 the association was reorganized and relocated in Moncton. In the early 1960s the UMF established a wholly owned subsidiary, Bluenose Fisheries Limited, which became a fish processing company by 1980. Also during the 1980s the association's name changed to United Maritime Fishermen Co-op. The United Maritime Fishermen Co-op and Bluenose Fisheries Limited began to experience financial difficulties in the late 1970s and went into bankruptcy closure in April 1988.