Struggles for Stability: Greenland’s Fishermen’s Organization Faces Financial Crisis
The Greenland Fishermen and Prisoners’ Organisation (KNAPK) has been grappling with significant financial deficits for the past four years, a trend that shows little sign of abating this year. The situation has reached a point that many local branches deem unsustainable, leading to a call for the new main board to take decisive action to steer the organization back on course.
Compounding the challenges, several local branches believe the financial turmoil raises questions about the leadership of CEO Vittus Qujaukitsoq.
A Call for Action
Pele Blytmann, the newly appointed chairman of KNAPK, has only recently gained a full understanding of the organization’s financial landscape. “Up until the general meeting this October, we were unaware of the full extent of the difficulties,” he shared. “However, we cannot allow these challenges to hinder our progress.”
Blytmann emphasized that significant savings are non-negotiable and voiced intentions to foster closer collaborations with local chapters. “As someone who previously led the fishermen’s and trappers’ association in Ilulissat, I believe the organization has operated too insularly in the past. More openness is critical moving forward,” he added, albeit without commenting on the implications of the financial crisis for Qujaukitsoq.
A Dire Situation
Thor Eugenius, chairman of the fishermen’s and trappers’ association in Nanortalik, voiced alarm after attending KNAPK’s general assembly. “It was surprising to discover the extent of the financial issues, especially since the previous board had never visited South Greenland to brief us,” he noted. “This financial situation can only be described as critical. Shortly after the meeting, officials and the former chairman left for Northern Europe’s largest fishing fair in Aalborg, which is completely unacceptable.”
Eugenius underscored the urgent need for an evaluation of KNAPK’s administrative management.
Concerns Over Governance
Ulloriaq Olsen, chairman of KNAPK’s local branch in Sisimiut, condemned the functioning of the organization over the past four years under Nikkulaat Jeremiassen’s tenure, particularly highlighting unsustainable personnel costs. “KNAPK has paid dearly for redundancies, and the current costs have rendered the organization little more than a playground for its staff,” he asserted.
Olsen expressed frustration over the lack of a clear plan from Blytmann on how KNAPK intends to navigate these troubled waters moving forward.
Uncertain Future
Malik Johansen, chairman of the fishermen’s and trappers’ association in Uummannaq, also took part in the latest general meeting, revealing a lack of transparency regarding the organization’s finances. “We’ve been kept in the dark about our economic standing, which is troubling as it seems finances have declined substantially,” he lamented. With shrimp fishermen leaving KNAPK, he noted that the organization now primarily relies on income from halibut and cod, raising concerns about its future viability.
Johansen highlighted that KNAPK members contribute 1.5% of their catch to the association, yet the local branch in Uummannaq is yet to receive any funds that are typically disbursed by mid-November. “Last year, we received around 150,000 kroner, crucial for our operations. The absence of these funds places our organization’s future in jeopardy,” he said, emphasizing a belief that the management under Qujaukitsoq is insufficiently secure.
A Call for Reevaluation
Timotheus Petersen, a longstanding chairman of the fishermen’s and trappers’ association in Kullorsuaq, expressed his discontent over the diminished returns for members this year. “It’s unacceptable for our members to shoulder the burden of KNAPK’s deficit. If our contributions are not yielding benefits for the organization, we must consider alternatives, possibly even joining other associations.”
He underscored the necessity for an evaluation of KNAPK’s management over the past four years, raising critical questions surrounding the director’s continued role in light of the ongoing financial crisis.
With pressure mounting from its membership, the future of KNAPK hangs in an unsettling balance, demanding both scrutiny and strategic reform to regain its footing.