Young fishers are gearing up to learn from established industry personnel at the 2019 Young Fishermen’s Gathering.

“It’s incredibly important to support the next generation as they enter or build on their career in seafood in B.C.,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture “I’m happy to see GrowBC helping to make such a positive learning experience more accessible.”

As they set out to chart the waters, seeking new opportunities on the horizon, young fishers will have the opportunity to learn from the experience of those already well established in the seafood industry at the BC Young Fishermen’s Network Gathering.

Young fishers will connect with an array of industry personnel, while learning business and marketing strategies as well as finding training opportunities to help them better prepare for work and build positive working relationships and contacts.

This year's program includes:

• panels discussing the future of fishing, marketing the product and stewardship.
• sessions on the business of fishing (funding, finances and bookkeeping) and fisheries management and policy.

The two-day gathering in Victoria, Jan. 23-24, 2019, is designed to provide a supportive environment that fosters learning, networking and growth opportunities for those aspiring to enter the commercial fishing industry. 

“I was happy to see a diversity of fisheries, and both men and women represented at the event,” said Cyndi Peal, a young fisher who attended last year's gathering. “Learning about some of the resources available for safety training, equipment, financing and marketing was a positive way to connect with fellow fishermen.”

Last year’s gathering, held in Steveston, brought together over 40 young fishers and nearly 65 industry members.

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Agriculture is making the program more accessible to participants through a $10,000 investment from GrowBC.
• GrowBC aims to support farmers, new entrant farmers and young farmers, protect farmland and help B.C. producers expand local food production.
• In 2017, British Columbia’s commercial fishers harvested about 182,800 tonnes of wild fish and shellfish with a total landed value of $410.2 million.
• The seafood industry employs an estimated 4,500 British Columbians.

Learn More:

For more information about the BC Young Fishermen’s Network Gathering, visit: https://bcyoungfishermen.ca/

For more information about the seafood industry in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/fisheries-and-aquaculture/commercial-fisheries