ABOARD KLEMTU
The dog salmon round-up of 1937
• In the fall of 1937 a reporter for the Comox District Free Press named Hope Herd made a trip to the fishing grounds on the seiner Klemtu. A copy of the article he wrote describing his experience was passed on to The Fisherman recently by UFAWV honorary member Jim Henderson, longtime stalwart of the Campbell River Local, who was the Klemtu's skipper that year.
"The union referred to in the article was the old Salmon Purse Seiners Union," Henderson points out "Matt Jurich had signed us all up in 1936."
With Henderson on the Klemtu in the fall chum fishery that year were Walter Brasseau, Joe Gunda, James Lagos, Jim Mearns, Sam Henderson (Jim's brother), George Callow and Kenneth Henderson (Jim's son, fishing his first season).
Brasseau and Lagos now live in retirement in Campbell River. Sam Henderson is well known in the community for his work as a carver of totem poles. Mearns lives at Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, and Kenneth (Butch) Henderson is skipper of the seine vessel Cape Chacon and an active member of the Campbell River Local.
George Callow died tragically in 1976 when the packer Canfisco went a-ground in Fitz Hugh Sound during the herring roe fishery.
Following is reporter Herd's article, slightly abridged, which appeared in
the Free Press on Nov. 4, 1937:
I have been to the last round-up — not of white-faced Herefords or Shorthorns, but of sharp nosed dogs.
In other words I have just returned from a second excursion to the fishing grounds in Johnstone Strait where the seine boat Klemtu with James (Jimmy) Henderson as skipper has been operating for the past four months.
Tall, broad-shouldered, his face wreathed with an almost perpetual smile, but at the same time full of energy and action, this son of British Columbia has gathered about him a splendid crew who have imbibed some of his own strong personality and who, working in closest unison, discharge their onerous duties with clock-like precision, the handling of the seine net and other gear being anything but a lost art with them.
Someone long ago said 'there is nothing too good for the Irish.' This could apply to the galley on the Klemtu and her cuisine (for) these fisherfolk eat well, as on all seine boats.
There are not many idle moments in this dawn-to-dark work life. But the food is excellent and so varied that in some instances it would bring envy to the heart of the best cook in the woods.
I watched these hardy seamen mend their net when a break or tear occurred. What deftness with the needle and how smooth the work done, for they are strong in the faith that there must be a place for every article used in the operation, and that everything must be in that place when wanted.
The men of this boat all belong to the Fishermen's Union. Since the union was formed a year ago there have been some benefits derived, mainly in the price of the take. Last year, top price paid was 12 cents for dog salmon. Monday last 18 cents was being offered. . .
While price is a big consideration with the fishermen, it is not
Mike Jamss photo
* Kenneth (Butch) Henderson (second from left) was on his first season when reporter Hope Herd visited his father Jim Henderson, aboard the seiner Klemtu in 1937. But when The Fisherman took this photograph in 1970 at Namu, he was skipper of Nesto with his son Jim, the third generation, among the crew (at right). Others aboard Nesto (left to right): Barry Smith, Ken, Ken Brotchie, Ernie Henderson and Jim Junior.
all. There are other objects to achieve, one of which is cooperation with the fisheries department in clearing, and keeping clear, the numerous streams salmon enter to spawn.
Many small rivers and creeks that flow into the sea in various parts of the coast are said to have been made almost impassable for fish attempting to reach their natural spawning grounds by industrial operations. Already representations have been made to fishery officials in an endeavor to rectify a grievous wrong.
Men in the fishing industry have said that, if fishing is to be encouraged, surely the men employed in one of British Columbia's key industries should be granted the privilege of a hearing when they believe, as they do today, that they (have) suggestions for the ultimate advantageof the calling by which they earn a livelihood. Some of these men are acquainted with every inch of the coast. . .
Sunday night at six o'clock, when the weekly closed period ended, Skipper Jimmy made the first set at Deepwater Bay. It was dark. When the net was pursed and hauled in it was found to
-contain thousands of fish, but they were almost exclusively dogfish.
There were 32 dog salmon caught at this time and myriads of herring and some hake which, intermingling with the dogfish and salmon, certainly made 'strange bedfellows'. Dogfish are hard on the hands of the fishermen, and hard on the nets. They can be caught quite easily at night — just as human night-lifers — but go down to the depths in daytime.
Monday morning the Klemtu went further north to Little Bear River where a second set was made, this time with more success. Then she returned south to Plumper Bay where luck was not at all with the seine boat. The set was made but the school of 'tinners' it was hoped to garner made their getaway before the net could be pursed.
One can readily perceive that every time the net is set it does not necessarily follow that it is hauled in full of fish, or as one member of crew jocularly said, 'You set your net then haul it in full of money — yes, you do!'
From Plumper Bay a course
was set for Granite Bay where packers took the catch.
There were many boats in Granite Bay transferring their cargoes of dog salmon to packers, who in turn took the fish to Vancouver where it is prepared for the Eastern market in which it is sold as 'silver salmon.'
Here is where the result of a day's fishing can be determined. The captain of the Etta B (said he had brought in) 1,224. The Tartu took 900 odd (and) the Klemtu brought in something over 600. One boat caught almost 1,500 in one set near Elk Bay.
I was not eavesdropping, but was keeping my ears open and my mouth shut because on occasion that is a good way to receive information. There are breaks in this game just as in any other. This year, one may be 'top dog' and next season will find him near 'the cellar.'
Skipper Jimmy Henderson has been at the head of the fleet on more than one occasion and though he is not quite up there this year, he is near enough to have been extremely successful. And while not peeved at his luck, (he) is somewhat dissatisfied with the breaks he has had to take in the 1937 season.
Winds of change start to blow against troll fleet'
Dther agencies representing the big monoplies was one area of discussion.
At the Courtenay meeting, PTA president John Makowichuck called for all young business types in a businessman's philosophy to join the PTA and for all the rest with a philosophy similar to my own, to join the UFAWU. Unity despite differing philosophies could be the key to solving the crises confronting the troll fleet.
While such calls for unity are most welcome, it was pointed out that this unity could be even more effective if it extended beyond the troll section to embrace all who toil in the industry.
We were warned of the danger
LETTERS
that the fishing industry in B.C. could soon become completely dominated by foreign capital. For years, we have enjoyed the advantage of being able to buoy up troll prices and net prices by playing independent buyers off, one against the other and against the big associations.
But now it looks as if buying prices here in Canada and selling prices abroad could soon be controlled and pushed down by these giant international monopolies. When they have swallowed up the last of the independents, it will require tight unity indeed and militant resistance to maintain present standards for workers and fishermen in this industry.
FRED PEARSON
Comox. B.C.
• Fred Pearson is a member of the UFAWU Deep Bay local and of the Troll Council of the UFAWU.
Hesquiat Harbor roe fishery ends
Editor, The Fisherman:
Recently I had the honor of representing the union at an adhoc meeting of trollers in Victoria and a second meeting in Courtenay sponsored by the Pacific Trollers Association.
The subject matter of these meetings was troll restrictions, international negotiations and catch division. An awareness that the winds of change have started to blow against the troll fleet was obvious throughout these discussions. At first, one or two
• A group calling itself the Powell River Independent Halibut Fishermen sent the following open letter to Fisheries Minister Romeo LeBlanc Dec. 2 with a copy to The Fisherman:
Dear Sir:
We, as a group of concerned halibut fishermen from Powell River, would like to put forth the following proposals regarding the halibut fishery:
1) It is most important that we retain the International Halibut Agreement. It has served both the U.S. and Canada well in conservation and in maintaining good working relationships between the two countries. Concern has been expressed that if it should fail, management by any other organization might allow dragging for halibut. This should not be allowed under any circumstances, either in Canadian or American waters.
2) We would like to encourage a more limited entry into the halibut  fishery,   and   ban 'A'
speakers expressed the idea that perhaps the UFAWU was somehow responsible for some of the ills threatening the fleet.
Such ideas, however, were quickly dispelled during the debate which followed. Indeed, it was agreed that in these matters, the UFAWU has taken a correct and principled position.
The militant stand this organization has always taken against any sell-out of Canadian fishermen's interests is a matter of record. Union policy on catch
licence boats from retaining halibut.
3) Fishermen should be notifed well in advance of changes in the fishery regulations. Fishermen must be allowed to have input into any proposals that will affect their livelihood.
As incentive to allow B.C. halibut fishermen to continue fishing in American waters, a possible concession might be to suggest an open fishery of halibut, black cod, and tuna, coast-wide, for all U.S. and Canadian fishermen only.
We hope that you can appreciate our concern. We feel that an open longline and tuna fishery is vital to the future livelihood of the entire halibut fishing fleet.
We are aware of your efforts on other matters and have faith that you will do whatever is in your power to help us. We look forward to being kept informed regularly on all matters concerning this issue.
RUTH BAXTER Secretary ADRIAN REDFORD Treasurer
Powell River, B.C.
division and conservation gained even wider support as a result of these meetings.
Put simply, the conclusion was this: when imbalances within the fleet occur due to increased effort, government bungling or over-capitalization, then entry to that section of the fleet should be restricted rather than the effort of the individual fisherman.
Policy conclusions such as this and the fact that the UFAWU speaks for all sections of the industry were key factors pointing to the need for the fleet to draw together in some form of unity.
Consultation among groups-Indian, PTA and union—before meeting with government and
• Expressing deep concern over the effect of herring roe fishing in Hesquiat Harbor, the Hesquiat Band Council sent the following letter to fisheries minister LeBlanc on Dec. 4, with copies to the UFAWU and other organizations: Dear Sir:
On Nov. 14 a band meeting was held; a very lengthy discussion (took place) dealing with our concern for the herring. Quite a number of our people are involved in herring roe fishing but they fully supported the closure of roe fishing in Hesquiat Harbor.
It is not only the Hesquiats who
regard the high significance of herring and other species such as cod, Chinook, coho, halibut, red snapper, long jaws and so on. We have witnessed the depletion of these delicacies in our area, mainly due to the fact that there isn't enough herring . . . We trust you will act and enforce the declaration signed by our band members, which reads:
"Whereas the Hesquiats survived on the abundance of natural resources that Hesquiat Harbor was able to provide, and,
"Whereas the name Hesquiats originated from the word Hesh'Hesh'Shaa, a word explaining the way herring roe was eaten off grass, and,
"Whereas    Hesquiats for
hundreds of years during herring spawning season lived off this natural resource by various means — fresh spawned on sea grass, fresh spawned on hemlock or cedar boughs, sun dried and salted, and,
"Whereas Hesquiats and Hesquiat Harbor have strong cultural ties,
"It is hereby declared that the harvesting of herring roe in Hesquiat Harbor, Area 24, by any method by outside residents of Hesquiat is now terminated for a period of two cycles; closure (in effect) from Hesquiat Point to Matlahaw Point."
S.P.LUCAS Hesquiat Band Council Port Alberni, B.C.
'Retain halibut treaty'
THE FISHERMAN — JANUARY 17, 1979/5