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Commercial Fishing
1999 Quick
Facts
 ( 2002
2001 2000
1999 1998 )
BC
Commercial Fishing Harvest and Value
1999 |
|
Species |
Landings
('000 tonnes) |
Landed
Value
($millions) |
|
Wild
Salmon |
17.0 |
26.3 |
|
Herring |
27.1 |
48.6 |
|
Groundfish |
139.6 |
130.9 |
|
Wild
Shellfish |
17.0 |
95.1 |
|
Tuna & Other |
4.8 |
10.6 |
|
Total |
205.5 |
311.5 |
- Commercial
fishing is the fourth largest primary industry in British Columbia
after forestry, mining and agriculture.
-
More than
80 different species of finfish, shellfish and plants are harvested
commercially.
-
Harvesting
is undertaken by vessels using seine or gillnets, and by trawling,
trolling or trapping. Other harvest methods include diving and
hand picking.
-
Many fisheries
have become limited entry. These fisheries provide for year-round
harvesting, higher quality products and increased values to the
fishers.
-
The 1999
wild salmon harvest was the lowest in more than 50 years as sockeye,
coho and chinook salmon stocks were the focus of conservation
concerns with limited or no harvest opportunities
-
Wild shellfish
is the most important commercial fishery in terms of value to
the harvester. High landed prices are realized primarily in the
geoduck clam, crab and prawn fisheries.
-
Groundfish
species account for 53 per cent of the commercial fishery harvest
by volume.
-
New and
emerging fisheries are being developed to increase diversification
of the harvesting sector while providing opportunities for enhancing
the value of underutilized species.
Links
Updated: October 28, 2003
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