Meet 3rd Generation Trawl Industry Representative

Rosie Hourigan

"The most rewarding part of working in the industry is knowing you help feed people locally and across the world while maintaining and protecting our oceans"

How long have you been working in the fishing industry?

I have been working in the industry for 6 years starting as data entry and filing but wasn’t fully immersed until around 3 years ago, when I began doing vessel logistics and in depth quota management training.  

I am the third generation of our fishing family, my grandfather Alan Williams started the company many years ago and brought his children into the family business. I have been trained over the years by the second generation, my mother, Alan’s eldest daughter, Theresa Williams. This is more than just a tradition for us, it’s a way of helping sustain the economy, local communities, building friendships and partnerships to help each other when needed. This is our way of life and it woven the fabric of our family. 

The most rewarding part of working in the industry is knowing you help feed people locally and across the world while maintaining and protecting our oceans. Funding scientific research studies and programs to help maintain our ocean and fish populations is rewarding, seeing members of the industry making suggestions alongside the government as to what we could do better to ensure our ocean is protected and its species.   

The most challenging part of my job is the stigma that surrounds it and the false information that circulates, villainizing the industry and people that work within it. 

That we do everything we can to protect the fish stocks. We want a healthy thriving ocean just like everyone else does.

Most people don’t know that we are the most regulated fishery in BC. We work alongside DFO and have regular meetings with them and industry members so they can work closely to develop safe fishing practices and research programs. We have developed many strategies with DFO to help us preserve our ocean and marine life while still allowing our industry to fish effectively and safely. 

What does sustainable fishing mean to you?

Sustainable fishing means that we can continue to use this resource if we look after it and treat it respectfully. We can continue to look after our communities and ensure people will continue to work and look after their families. 

The industry has changed over the past few years due to new regulations and area closures for fishers. This along with not having farm exemption for fuel costs and dwindling prices for fish, has put a lot of locals out of work as it isn’t financially viable for the vessel. Causing a chain reaction in which everyone loses.

Science is key to our industry and we are always working to do more for the ocean and its preservation. It enables us to ensure we are doing our very best to make sure areas that need protection are protected properly along with certain species of rockfish, cod, and sole. We have inplace a chinook program to help us understand how the fish move and how we can best avoid catching them to keep our resident killer whales fed. 

Do more research!

The next generation should understand that this industry will turn around and without new blood the industry is at serious risk of going extinct on the west coast. This resource like many others can be harvested  continuously if we preserve and look after it properly. If looked after properly the ocean can continue to feed future generations and continue the tradition of fishing and preserving one of Canada’s greatest assets. 

One of the most challenging things about the industry is being a young woman in the industry as it is very male dominated. You are underestimated at times and need to be tough to overcome some of the challenges the industry members can throw at you. I would recommend younger women and people to join the industry and help improve it. There are many positions in the industry from, quota management, fishing, logistics, to marine engineering, transportation services, medical services, divers, and mechanics. It is a good time to enter this industry and learn the ropes, many companies can offer schooling and training for new employees who are trying to work their way up to higher positions.