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Commercial Fishing

Bellingham, Washington has a long and active history of commercial fishing. In its heyday there were a number of very large Salmon Canneries around Bellingham Bay. Today, with the decline of Salmon runs and the major control of fishing grounds to keep the worlds oceans from becoming a desert, local fishers have to have licenses and nets for many different species, and have to travel far afield to keep their way of life. The following photos are acknowledging their commitment and honoring their profession.

Memorial

This is the original fishermen's memorial at Zuanich Pt. Park. The plaque on the left names those who lost their life following this profession.

net repair

nets

The previous three pictures show the proliferation of nets required, and the constant work to keep them in good repair. Commercial fishers have to be always ready to go out. The various seasons often have only a very short time window when they are open. 48 hours is common.

fleet

Some of the commercial fleet.

skiff

This is a purse seiner's skiff. The seiner lets out the huge net, the powerfully engined skiff then brings the end back around to form the purse. The seiner then hauls the net aboard using a powerfull large drummed winch, with crew picking the fish as the net comes aboard.

As always, thanks for looking.

David Helm

www.helmhomeinspections.com

David Helm, Inspector, Helm Home Inspections Bellingham, Washington Licensed Home Inspector #272 WSDA Licensed Structural Pest Inspector #69844 http://www.helmhomeinspections.com HelmHomeInspections@yahoo.com

Posted by David Helm, Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp on 07/28/2007 01:27 PM

Comments (12)

bellingham, washington, commercial fishing, david helm, helm home inspections

This post has been included in Washington Information Whatcom County, WA Information Bellingham, WA Information

12 Comments on Commercial Fishing

JUL

2007

48 hour seasons are common? Sounds like there's no room for error if you're a fisherman. My only experience is watching Deadliest Catch and I can't say I envy them. Thanks for sharing your pictures,

Steve

Do they catch a lot of dolphins or porpoises in the nets? Is there that kind of controversy going on?

Hi David, interestin post. I heard somewhere that this was one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Sounds scary.

David: Thanks for the photographs and background. When we go to the Texas coast we always go down and watch the shrimp boats come in. Most of the are bats are run by Vietnamese shrimpers. Hard working folks. I think I'll keep my feet on ground unless I go out with my son fishing for pleasure.

Thanks for sharing.

JUL

2007

Steve, Yes there is very little room for error. They also have to travel, as far North to Alaska and down to Southern California. Fisheries like Alaskan Halibut, local Herring Roe, and most local Salmon runs are all very short openings.

Rondel, That kind of controversy does not go on. You are mistaking this type fishing with the huge, open water drift net fishing, illegal in US waters, but still done a lot on the open sea. Drift nets are miles long, and are very indiscriminate in what they catch. It's called "mining the sea" and is very harmful.

Hi Carl, Yes fishing can be a dangerous occupation. Many years ago, my wife and her then husband, had a gill netter. She had numerous scary encounters night fishing.