A fishing veteran, not missing a single salmon fishing season between 1969 and 2016! Otto retired for the second time when he sold his boat in 2018 (it might stick this time!)

Omega V Salmon Gillnetting Northern & Mid Coast

Shaun is our lead fisher and fishing industry expert with an MA in the history and political economy of the BC fishing industry and a lifetime fishing the BC coast.

Salmon Gillnetting West Coast of Vancouver Island & Mid-Coast

We first met Delia back in the June of 2015 when she emailed us looking for a way to connect her lovingly-grown oysters and clams to local consumers. She had heard about our CSF and was very eager that our innovative model of connecting fishermen directly to consumers might provide an alternative to selling her shellfish overseas, as is the case with the vast majority of our locally grown shellfish. We were intrigued at the possibility of being able to offer ethical, local shellfish directly to our members and at being able to help the shellfish growers of Cortes Island continue their traditional, small-scale way of life!

Oysters Beach-grown! Cortes Island, BC

Mike, a fourth generation fisher, fishes with his partner, Sharon, for salmon along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Mike has fished his own boat since he was 14 years old. He and Sharon met when they were young and have been fishing together for decades.

T-Bone Salmon Gillnetting West coast of Vancouver Island, BC

Learn all about Joel and Melissa Collier’s experience fishing for Skipper Otto last year.

Lisa Jess Scallops, Spot Prawns, Octopus and Salmon Butterfly Trawl, Trapping, & Trolling Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii

Mother and son, Jocelyn and Erikk, multi-generation cisaa?th (Tseshaht) First Nation fishers, fish as a team. Jocelyn learned to fish from her dad, and started operating her first boat when she was 13 years old. You can learn more about Jocelyn’s story and what she’s taught us in our blog!

Salmon Gillnetting West coast of Vancouver Island, BC

Rick, a fourth generation fisher, fishes up and down the BC coast. He has been fishing for as long as he can remember.

Red Bone Salmon Gillnetting Most areas of BC Coast

Father and son, Jeff and Jaxxon, are hupačasath (Hupacasaht) First Nation fishers with blood lines that run through nuučaanul (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) territory. Jeff learned to fish from his mom and brother and is proud to be teaching his son.

Salmon Gillnetting West coast of Vancouver Island, BC

Gordie, a third generation fisherman, fishes salmon runs all along the BC coast. He has been fishing since he was a kid and remembers starting off as a deckhand for his older sister.

Sure Thing Salmon Gillnetting Central and south coast of BC

Randy Kitagawa fishes out of the Sunshine Coast with his sons, Cory and Jeff, and his wife Shannon’s son, Matt aboard the 30′ boat, Norwestern. Randy’s family has deep roots in the fishing community of Steveston, BC – his grandfather used to work at the Gulf of Georgia cannery that is now a museum!

Norwestern Dungeness crab & spot prawns Trapping Sunshine Coast

Blake, a second generation fisher has been fishing since he was 14 years old. He freezes his catch at sea during trips that last 2-3 weeks.

Five Kings Salmon Trolling North and Central Coast of BC

Doug is a multi-generation ‘Namgis First Nation fisherman. Doug fished with his grandpa in the 1960’s and has fished ever since. His children join him as crew on some trips. Learn more about Doug and how he fishes halibut in our blog!

Paper Chase Halibut & salmon Bottom longlining Northwest Coast of Vancouver Island

Truong was one of the boat people who fled Vietnam in 1975, and he ended up in Campbell River, BC. He took up fishing when he arrived, and has now been prawning for over 30 years. His sons and daughter have prawned alongside him over the last decade.

Western Sun Spot prawns Trapping Central coast of BC

Danny, a second generation fisherman, often fishes in coordination with his son, Dean.

About Time I Salmon Gillnetting North & Central Coast of BC

Dean, a third generation fisherman, fishes salmon runs all along the BC coast. He has been fishing since he was a kid and still fishes alongside his father, Danny and his gillnetter.

Old Style Salmon Gillnetting Most areas of BC Coast

A multi-generation cisaa?th (Tseshaht) First Nation fisher, Natasha has been fishing with dad and brother, Willard, since she was a teen. She’s currently working on her MBA at SFU, and works at the Indigenomics Institute, a platform that supports the growth and development of Indigenous economies.

Salmon Gillnet West coast of Vancouver Island

Willard is a multi-generation cisaa?th (Tseshaht) First Nation fisher, who grew up fishing with his dad and sister, Natasha. He now also fishes alongside his kids!

Salmon Gillnetting West coast of Vancouver Island

Bruce has been fishing for over 30 years. His wife, Pilar, and his young son, Rex, join him on some of their trips. Bruce and his brother Steve grew up in a lighthouse on the BC coast and are the first fishermen in their family.

Read the Martinelli’s stories from the sea in our blog!

Tantrum No. 1 Tuna & lingcod Trolling Off the coasts of Vancouver Island, BC & Oregon/Washington