9420.pdf

1992a). In 1990, approximately 70 % of the total value of fish products originated from
the Lower Mainland region, and 18 % in the Prince Rupert area with the Vancouver Island
and the Sunshine Coast regions contributing 9 and 3 % respectively (B.C. Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1992a).
The British Columbia fishing fleet was comprised of 5,773 and 5,915 vessels in 1990 and
1992, respectively (pers. comm. with Ms. Maureen Kostner of Department of Fisheries
and Oceans, 1993). The west coast seafood and marine products industry process
primarily pelagic fish or’mid-water dwellers such as salmon and herring. Groundfish or
bottom-feeding fish such as halibut, redfish and hake, and shellfish including clams,
oysters, shrimps and crabs make up most of the balance. Fish processing is
concentrated in the Lower Mainland of B. C., Vancouver Island, and around Prince Rupert.
Fish processing is highly seasonal, as fish are only caught when they are in prime harvest
condition. In addition, some species such as salmon are migratory. The harvest of most
coast salmon species occurs from late June until October - November. Pacific salmon
includes six commercial species: sockeye, chinook, chum, coho and pink which form the
basis of the west coast salmon fishery, and cherry salmon which is harvested only in the
vicinity of Japan. There is also a growing farm salmon harvest occurring year round
based on chinook (spring) and Atlantic salmon.
.
The roe herring harvest takes place principally in March, just before the herring are about
to spawn.
In 1993, the pelagic subsector, mainly salmon and herring, accounted for 35 % and 17 %
(respectively) of fishery landings by weight and 46% and 17 % (respectively) of the
landed value in B.C. (Figures 2.1 and 2.2). Groundfish accounted for 30 % of landings
by weight in the same year, but only 20 % of the landed value. Shellfish accounted for
only 8 % of landings by weight and 17 % of the landed value.
The west coast fish processing is highly export-oriented. More than 50 % of salmon
products and all herring roe are exported. About two-thirds of the groundfish and most
of the shellfish products are exported as well (Ind. Sci. and Tech Canada, 1991 b). The
United States is the principal market for groundfish and shellfish. The United Kingdom
accounts for half of the canned salmon exports, and Japan accounts for about 40 % of
the frozen salmon exports and virtually all of the herring roe production (Ind. Sci. and
Tech. Canada, 1991a).
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