Commercial Salmon Fishing in BC...Treading Water

Albacore Tuna Fishing Job
Deckhand needed for 2009 tuna fishing season. See details and apply through the above link.

Ever since the federal government began reducing the effort from the commercial salmon fishing fleets on the westcoast of British Columbia many commercial fishers are barely keeping their heads above water.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are still doing a terrific job of maintaining infighting and discord among all user groups of the fishing industry. This conveniently keeps much of the heat off the feds where it really belongs.

In the north last year was the second year for an individual quota fishery for the troll fleet where each license holder was portioned a share of the total allowable catch. They were also allowed to transfer that quota to another area license holder with the idea it would enable fishers to keep costs down and to divesify into other fisheries.

In theory it should work, but with prices of leased quota going for as much as $27/fish many fishers wanted to wait until the salmon grew a little bigger before they harvested them. Even though it's supposed to be a quota fishery, DFO closed this fishery early because of conservation concerns.

Many fishers had leased whole quotas for thousands of dollars only to watch the fish swim away forever. Bonus for the quota holder, but not to hot for the poor fisher who was only trying to supplement their earnings. Another policy where the armchair fisherman gets rich at the expense of those doing the hard work while slowly losing their boats.

In the south things were a little better for the troll fleet with small area quotas for most months of the year outside of the summer. The only problem with this is the risk involved fishing during the winter months when hurricanes can spring up without warning. With a more consistent product though the prices have been higher for spring salmon than we have seen in the past.

For the salmon seiners and gillnetters the past season was very dismal indeed with poor catches and little time allowed on the fishing grounds. Prices for salmon net licenses continue to fall with little hope for improvement.

Click on the graphics below to order these excellent books about high seas adventure in the commercial fishing industry.

Both are excellent stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But don't make the mistake I did and read them before you're heading out for the season. Better to wait until you're off for the winter.

Links of Interest Related to Commercial Fishing

B.C. Salmon Marketing Council

Pacific Trollers Association

Fish Information and Services

Pacific Salmon Commission

BC Tuna Fishermen's Association

Fisheries Management - Pacific Region

Sea Surface Temperature Charts

Weather Office