The BC Young Fishermen's Gathering (BCYFG) was designed in response to BC’s greying fishing fleet, and was inspired by the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit. The BC Gathering supports fish harvesters early in their careers by providing an opportunity to build skills and make connections across the fishing industry.
Registration open! VIRTUAL BCYFG 2021- PART TWO, MARCH 30 & 31
Join us for the next session of our virtual gathering! This month we will be hearing stories from a panel of women who fish, learning about access to financing and licensing, and diving into a conversation about reconciliation in B.C. fisheries. Parliamentary Secretary Fin Donnelly will be joining us on Day One to provide an update as to his new role at the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the work they are doing to support our fishing community.
VIRTUAL BCYFG 2021- PART ONE FEB 9 & 10
In February we learned about the grant writing process, heard how harvesters have adapted to the challenges of COVID-19, and caught up with other young fishermen about their 2020 fishing seasons.
In case you missed any of our sessions, they were recorded and can be watched at the links below
Our Schedule and Recordings Include:
Feb 9: "On the boat" - Young harvester panel discussion. Due to technical troubles, this recording is in two parts; watch Part 1 of the recording here and Part 2 here.
Feb 9: "Off the boat" - Grant writing. Watch here!
Feb 10: "On the boat" - Harvester adaptations to COVID panel discussion: Check it out here!
BCYFG 2020- JANUARY 23 & 24
The 2020 Gathering in Nanaimo was our largest BC-focused event yet, bringing in 100 participants involved in the BC fishing industry.
Highlights included:
Keynote presentation by Peter De Greef
Plenary sessions and two tracks of workshops delivered by 36 speakers and teachers
Peer to peer learning and networking opportunities including a Marketplace of Ideas, Open Space discussions, and evening reception
Field trip to Stones Boatyard
Download the agenda here.
Read the event summary report here.
BCYFG 2019- JANUARY 23 & 24
The 2019 Gathering was held in Victoria and attended by close to 100 participants. Attendees traveled up and down the coast, from Alaska to Bellingham and from the Gulf of Mexico to Atlantic Canada for two days of learning and networking.
Highlights included:
Panels and presentations by over 35 industry specialists
Peer to peer knowledge exchange and networking
Group discussions on topics such as ghost gear, mentorship, public awareness of fishing, policies and programs to support new entrants
Field trip to Finest at Sea Victoria
BCYFG in the news: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019AGRI0003-000047
Download the agenda here.
BCYFG 2018- FEBRUARY 6 & 7
The 2018 BC Young Fishermen's Gathering was held at the Britannia Shipyards in Steveston. Close to 65 participants gathered for the two day workshop.
Presentations by industry leaders included:
Bob Fraumeni, Finest at Sea
Sonia Strobel, Skipper Otto's
Executive Chef Ned Bell, Chefs for Oceans & OceanWise
Sean Barret, Dock to Dish
Neil Davis, DFO
Dr. Carl Walters, UBC
Dr. Rashid Sumalia, UBC & Ocean Canada Partnership
Rick Williams, Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters
Dr. Martin Gooch, Value Chain Management International
BCYFG in the news: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018AGRI0003-000010
Download the agenda here.
BCYFG 2017- JANUARY 24 & 25
The first annual BCYFG was held in Victoria and brought together over 30 young harvesters from across the province, with representation from nearly every fishery; from salmon trolling to sea cucumber diving.
Highlights included:
Topics including alternative marketing strategies, financing a fishing operation, marine safety, and innovative solutions to fisheries issues
A visit to Finest At Sea provided an interactive tour of a vertically integrated fishing operation
Download the agenda here.
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