2001
Fisheries and Aquaculture, Western Region
Mark Lowe; Hubert Anderson; Jeff Gould; Monique Hynes; Karen Loder; Tracy Slaney; Alvin White
The Western Region Quality Assurance Team is mandated to inspect boats, trucks, plants and offloading sites in order to ensure that all fish landed, trucked and processed is properly cared for to maintain the highest possible quality. While this role might seem destined for conflict with fishers, truckers and processors, the Team has established a cooperative, mutually respectful relationship with the industry.
Their trademark enforcement system combines rigorous consistency among members of the team in their own inspection process, an educational, mentoring approach to those inspected, and a flexible scale of response to infractions, ranging from advice through to coaching before sanctions are employed. They have organized workshops on product quality for clients, and have organized numerous meetings to address quality issues for particular species. Several members of the team are ex-officio members of various fisheries committees throughout the region: their sole purpose there is to preach and teach quality.
The activity of the team has had a significant positive impact on the quality of the product: enhanced quality has meant increased prices in the marketplace, which has been translated back as higher prices at the dock. In an industry landing over 100 million pounds of fish each year, the difference of a few cents a pound can have a significant impact on the regional economy. This team really is "worth its weight in gold." By building cooperative, constructive working relationships with the West Coast fishing industry, the Western Region Quality Assurance Team has furthered the objectives of its program and provided exceptional service to clients.
The team has also evolved an excellent working relationship among its members. They actively seek training opportunities and continually improve the way they do their jobs. They share experiences, offer constructive criticism, partner in challenging circumstances and brainstorm together to find alternative solutions. The Western Region Quality Assurance Team provides a model of teamwork for the whole public service.