The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted B.C. fisheries, traditional global and domestic markets decreased, and local demand went up. Fisheries were designated "essential services" and needed to adapt to protect harvesters and coastal communities while working. 

To address these challenges fishermen created the B.C. COVID-19 Active Fishermen's Committee (CVAFC), a 25 person committee made up of active fishermen and association representatives from most fisheries in the province. The group coordinated a response to the on-going pandemic, including developing health and safety protocols to keep coastal communities and fishermen safe during this crisis, identifying financial measures needed to keep fishermen and their enterprises viable through this crisis, and working together with others in the sector to ensure government responses met harvester needs. 

Further resources about the CVAFC's work - including safety protocols for fishermen and community-fishermen interaction - can be found here and on Facebook.

Jim McIsaac leads this collaboration. Please contact him for more information.