Obituary / CHRISTIAN BRUN
Articulate, Wise, Patient
Christian Brun 1970-2016
Last December, a road accident claimed the life of Christian Brun, Director General of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU), Canada
This obituary is by Michel Richard (michel@mfu-upm.com), the MFU’s organizer/representative since October 2002 and a close colleague of Christian since 2005
His loss has totally shaken the members and the staff of the organization. He was a very intelligent, articulate, wise and patient man. He began his journey at the MFU in 2005 as a co-ordinator of the MFU transition plan, which gave more decision-making power to fishermen at the level of their coastal communities. A few years later, in 2007, he accepted the position of Director General of the organization where he worked on a multitude of issues, always with the aim of advancing the interests of fishermen and their communities.
Among other things, the sustainability of the inshore fishery was particularly important to him and this is reflected in several initiatives aimed at increasing the long-term profitability of the fishery. For example, he helped to develop a plan to rationalize the inshore fleet of the MFU, which has reduced fishing effort while making a case for the solvency of fishermen who remain in the fishery, as well as efforts to improve measures for the conservation of different species, mainly lobster.
Christian did not limit his contributions for the fishing industry to the MFU framework. One of his great achievements was to pilot the gathering of the coastal fisheries’ organizations of the country under the umbrella of the Federation of Independent Fish Harvesters of Canada.
As the first president of this Federation, he worked to advance the common interests of the fishermen of the country. For example, advocating the independent fisherman’s policy, an essential policy which assures the independence of inshore fishermen, was one of the most important issues on which he has done exemplary work.
Christian worked abroad for a number of years at the international level, especially in developing countries in southern Africa, specifically in Mozambique, where his main project was to aid in refining the war-torn culture of this nation to bring to fruition the demilitarization of their citizens, who had ended their 16-year struggle for independence.
The project which he was most proud of was working with local people who exchanged their guns to create works of art and usefulness, such as sewing machines. He accomplished this over a span of six years and married a local villager, and they brought forth a beautiful girl who is now 14 years old and a budding writer in her own right, publishing short articles in the local Southeastern NB newsprint.
Christian was very involved in the Acadian arts and culture movement, adopting the surname Plurivice, and produced many poems and graphic art. He was very respected by the arts and political communities. He will be missed not only by fishermen but also by his fellow artists.
The MFU is now a stronger organization with a promising future because of his tenure at the helm. It is certain that the future strategies and initiatives of the MFU will find inspiration and counsel in the memory of the projects and achievements that Christian has left us in inheritance.
For More
mfu-upm.com/about-the-mfu
The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU)
