02/04/2013: Hearts open but closets closed for month-long fundraiser; Vietnam to tax fishermen

Staff at the BC Salmon Farmers Association are opening their heart, but closing their closet, for the third annual Five Easy Pieces for Heart and Stroke fundraiser.

The fundraiser will challenge each staff member at the BCSFA to take on wearing just five pieces of clothing to work for the month of April, with the goal of raising $5,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

“We love helping the Heart and Stroke Foundation – even if we don’t love the idea of wearing the same outfits for a month straight,” said Colleen Dane, communications manager of the BCSFA. “We do it because we know it’s a small inconvenience compared to the challenges faced by those battling heart health challenges.”

Staff at the BCSFA have already raised about $11,000 over the last two years through this month-long event– and they’re looking forward to growing that total with added fundraisers this year. The month’s events coincide with the foundation’s Heart Truth events which encourage healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“Increasing your consumption of salmon reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke significantly – our members are proud that they’re producing such a nutritious food, and we’re happy to help share that message,” said Mary Ellen Walling, executive director of the BCSFA.

Along with supporting the challenge participants by making pledges, members of the public can get involved by donating clothing and attending the wrap up Clothing Swap (by donation) or by purchasing a Spread the Love seed packet for $5 each.

For more information visit www.salmonfarmers.org 

Vietnam fisheries officials, economists and fishermen want an exemption from the 10 percent corporate income tax for offshore fishing businesses.

The tax was proposed in the government's draft amendments to the Law on Corporate Income Tax that has been submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration.

Fishermen Le Van Tien from Xuan Ha Ward in central Danang City’s Thanh Khe district said his work did not just earn him a living but was also a traditional profession inherited from previous generations.

He said the government should not impose any tax on offshore fishing, as a 10 percent tariff might not be high enough for the state but was considerable for fishermen because the job was risky and did not bring a stable income.

Vo Thien Lang, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, said corporate income tax imposed on offshore fishing cooperatives or seafood-processing companies would adversely affect fishermen.

Due to difficulties in sales, cooperatives and companies would seek ways to maintain profits, which could mean paying less to fishermen. This meant that fishermen would be taxed indirectly, Lang added.

Currently, local authorities are encouraging fishermen to set up offshore cooperatives, rather than working independently, to lower costs and lengthen the time they are at sea. 

If the tax is applied, these measures to motivate fishermen would be ineffective.

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(From Left) Colleen Dane, David Minato, Mary Ellen Walling and Alejandra Hernandez from the BC Salmon Farmers Association air out their laundry before launching their month-long clothing challenge.