Fishing

Port Hardy’s strategic location along the Central Coast of British Columbia supports a thriving economy built around commercial fishing, aquaculture, and marine services. Hardy Bay attracts fishers of all gear types, including seiners, packers, deep-sea trawlers, aquaculture vessels, and tugs, which increasingly rely on the Seine Float docks for delivering products and re-supplying vessels. The aquaculture industry, focusing on sustainable seafood production, plays a vital role in diversifying the local economy and ensuring year-round economic activity.

Upgrades to the Small Craft Harbours Docks improved access to local fish processing plants. They added supporting infrastructure, such as a new concrete drive-on float system, allowing service vehicles to deliver directly to vessels. Extensive upland enhancements adjacent to the float system further support the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

Thanks to these ideal conditions, Port Hardy processes more than 50% of the wild fish caught on the coast and is a hub for aquaculture operations. The waters host all five species of salmon (chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink) during annual migrations, alongside rockfish, groundfish, halibut, and lingcod, which are present year-round.

The commercial fishing and aquaculture industries create over $8.3 million in wages and employ more than 300 people in the region. Local companies provide custom processing services for various fisheries and aquaculture operations, further solidifying Port Hardy’s role as a cornerstone of British Columbia’s marine economy.