The trawl industry plays an active role in sustaining rural coastal communities
Keltic Seafoods in Port Hardy
"We are proud to be part of an industry that produces natural high-quality proteins for the global food markets."
What role does the groundfish trawl industry play in your community?
A very active role supporting direct employment opportunities in the community
including valuable employment for local First Nations. Perhaps more importantly is the effect the local trawl fishery has with the secondary tier industry within the North Island; welding shops, electronics, mechanical, trucking companies, tires repairs & sales, hospitality industry, local food stores, dockside validation jobs, and more!
How has the fishery shaped the history and identity of your community?
The trawl fishery has become a core fishery operating 12 months throughout the year in contrast to the reduction of other commercial fisheries – salmon, herring, hook & line fishery.
How many families in your community rely on the trawl industry for their livelihood?
Difficult to accurately determine however the numbers would be significant with the direct employment as well as the families affected by the secondary business activity.
What would the town look like without this fishery?
The removal of the local trawl fishery would have a notable economic impact on the North Island communities. Direct employment loss would be severe in terms of direct job loss as well as the detrimental consequences to the local business community.
Besides harvesters, who else in your community works in or supports the trawl fishery?
Welding shops, electronics, mechanical, trucking companies, tires repairs & sales, hospitality industry, local food stores, dockside validation jobs, and more!
How important is the fishery to local businesses and services?
The trawl fishery is extremely important to local the business core, operates year-round and most of the fleet works directly with local service groups.
How has the industry helped younger generations stay in the community?
Regrettably we do not encounter much participation from younger generations yet in this industry.
What do people in your community think about sustainability and the future of the fishery?
The greater part of the local communities understands the efforts the trawl fishery undertakes to maintain a healthy, sustainable fishery. Most of the locals trust and support the trawl fishery and appreciate the collective labours to maintain & manage a viable fishery.
How has science, monitoring, and innovation helped ensure the fishery can continue long-term?
There is no denying B.C. manages the most efficient & organized fishery in the entire world. The honest & ridged management practises ensure the fishery can continue into perpetuity.
What is the biggest challenge that the commercial fishing industry is facing right now?
DFO Administration mismanagement, environmental NGO’s opposed to any harvesting of the oceans, and Treaty Reconciliation process.
Do you think the groundfish trawl fishery is misunderstood by people outside the industry?
Unfortunately, NGO/Foundation groups are very well funded, well organised with access to slick media campaigns that distribute misinformation and their slanderous agenda throughout the public. This is one of the greatest challenges poised to the fishery, how to counter the misinformation efforts being errantly spread.
What would you say to someone who doesn’t know anything about where their seafood comes from?
Become better informed about the commercial fishery and the facts of how the fishery is managed and operates.
Are there community events, meals, or traditions centered around local seafood?
Not really, Keltic Seafoods/Pacific Seafood provide fish dinners for the local seniors centre and support other community functions upon request.
How does being from a fishing community shape who you are?
Proud to be actively engaged in the west coast fishing community for the last 55 years.
What are the biggest challenges facing your community right now?
Attracting new employees into the fishery.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your town and its connection to the ocean?
The legacy and history of the industry that helped build the North Island.
What does a strong future for the groundfish trawl industry look like to you?
I feel the consolidation may have plateaued and we will be managing a more controlled & balanced fishery moving forward now.
What do you want people across BC (and beyond) to understand about your community?
Do some research, learn the facts about the commercial fisheries and how economically important the industry relates to the small coastal communities.
How does it feel that your community helps to provide high-quality protein for other communities around the world?
Proud to be part of an industry that produces natural high-quality proteins for the global food markets.