Here, at last, is a book about commercial salmon fishing, by well-known fisherman and industry analyst Dr. Don Pepper--one that is sure to become a West Coast classic. Pepper fished salmon as a crewman every season from 1953 to 1969. After a hiatus in the '70s, he returned to fishing in the '80s, balancing his life at sea with a career as a professional economist, before finally retiring in 2007. Over the years he experienced technological change from table seiners, with nets pulled using muscle power, to the Puretic power block, to the modern drum seiner. These were profound changes that would not only affect the lives of individual fishermen, but the balance of the world's oceans and economies.

Fishing for a living is dangerous. Boats sink, men are swept out to sea, lines snap and sometimes just standing up is a chore. Nature conjures up storms and rocks and reefs; overloaded boats capsize and tired men fall asleep at the wheel or fall overboard. And yet it is pleasurable too, a world of catastrophic beauty, camaraderie, and sometimes financial reward.

Pepper captures the fishing life of an era now past in a lively and informative manner. From catching Adams River sockeye in Johnstone Strait (legal) to pit-lamping herring (illegal), Pepper explains how, and in fascinating detail. Mainly, as one old salt proclaimed, "You have to know where the fish aren't."

Don Pepper, retired beach-man, sometimes cook and engineer, and once all three, has also been an economist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). He holds a PhD in Fisheries Economics from the University of Wales Institute of Technology (Cardiff) and served as Executive Director of the Canadian Pacific Sardine Association (CPSA). He lives in Richmond, BC.

Don Pepper's profile page

Fishing the Coast: A Life on the Water

This is an in-depth memoir about the complexities and joys of commercial fishing. Along with his personal experiences, Pepper shares expeditions with his lifelong fishing buddy, Captain Wright, as revealed in Wright’s logbook spanning over 50 years. The practical and historical side of BC’s commercial fishing industry is revealed in detail from fish species, roles and day-to-day routines, to technological advances and the demise of parts of the industry (e.g., coastal canneries). Giving credit to First Nations peoples for their ingenuity and being master fisherman, he recognizes their pivotal historical role helping the Canadian economy and their role mentoring others like him.

With a PhD in Fisheries Economics, Dr. Pepper’s career includes 16 years as a crewman, then as a professional Economist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, while fishing on the side.