Canadian Local Economy boosted by Strong Salmon Fishing

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(Free-Press-Release.com) August 19, 2010 -- Canadian Local Economy boosted by Strong Salmon Fishing

A slight dip in the overall Canadian economy as revealed through recently published economic studies has created a ripple effect across the tourism industry and throughout smaller communities that depend on tourism to bolster their local economies. Yet although popular summer destinations such as Ucluelet and Tofino have been affected by the downturn in the economy, strong numbers in terms of the amount of tourism being attracted to the area for sport fishing has still given the area a busy season. In some places along the West Coast, sport fishing accounts for up to 20% of local revenue, and has long been a significant attraction to the Ucluelet and Tofino area. Ucluelet harbor has played host to hundreds of thousands of fishing and recreational boat vessels over the years, even in the days when the only road into the area was a logging road of pitted gravel. Salmon and Halibut fishing are particularly abundant in the bank along the continental shelf that runs west of Ucluelet for fishing off-shore in the nutrient-rich waters, with good fishing also occurring closer in to shore. The significant draw to the area quickly led to change in the types of transportation available, which now plays host to float planes, a scenic passenger ferry that skirts the Broken Group Islands and the Pacific Rim Highway which joins up the Alberni Highway.

Economies change, and ecosystems change, yet the waters along the stretch of coastline covering the Pacific Rim just outside of Ucluelet such as Clayuquot and Barkley Sound boast a strong and thriving system of marine life that continue to support professional businesses such as Salmon Eye Charters which in turn feed into the local economy. Sam Vandervalk, owner of Salmon Eye Charters, says that now more than ever, sport fishing is supporting tourism in Ucluelet to offset a weak global economy. Sport fisherman are coming to load up on salmon and halibut and also participate in competitions such as the Ucluelet Fisherman’s Salmon Derby. (www.uclueletsalmonderby.com)

The best fishing along the Coast in Ucluelet’s offshore areas for consistently larger salmon and halibut typically occurs from early May on and continues through September, although successful trolling for these types of fish can happen as early as April. Fishing for Coho is adventurous and can be very exciting as the powerful Coho perform lively acrobatics in their attempt to escape the fly-fisherman’s hook. Although traditionally, Ucluelet has been more associated with its commercial fishing fleet, fly fishing is particularly responsible for a boom in Ucluelet’s fishing industry today. Along with the surrounding area of Tofino’s Clayuquot Sound Ucluelet has been named in recent years as the premier destination for sport fishing in British Columbia. An increasing area of fishing videos and television documentaries devoted to the area have lent to the free publicity.

As the economy returns to full health, the tourism industry is sure to regain strength but its current stability even during this difficult economic time is due in no small part to the strength of the sport fishing industry in BC.

Author: Amy Randall

Acknowledgements:

Sam Vandervalk of Salmon Eye Charters at www.salmoneye.net
BC Government 2010 GDP Statistics http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/omfd/fishstats/

British Columbia Canada     Canadian economy     Economic downturn     local economy     salmon fishing     saltwater fishing     Sport fishing     Travel Tourism