Josh Young
2ND GENERATION FISHERMAN
Home Port: Pender Harbour, BC | Vessel Name: Shirley Evelyn
“I love the adventure and thrill of fishing, the freedom and also being your own boss. Most importantly, I love having an occupation that I can share with my family.”
1. When and how did you start fishing?
I started going out with my dad to fish when I was about eight or nine years old and then 13 when I started commercially fishing during the summers as my job.
2. Where do you usually fish?
Typically along the north and west coasts of Haida Gwaii, and in Hecate Strait.
3. What is the best thing about fishing?
I don’t think I can name just one. I love the adventure and thrill of fishing, the freedom and also being your own boss. Most importantly, I love having an occupation that I can share with my family. I can spend time with my three kids when they come out on fishing trips with me and I have the opportunity to teach them so many things by leading by example, such as a positive work ethic and learning to cope with differences. I then also operate our seafood sales business, Young Gun Fishing, with my wife. It’s a family affair and I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else!
4. What is your most memorable fishing experience?
My most memorable experience was during my first year of commercial fishing when we caught 62,000 lbs of fish on a small boat in October just off of Langara Island, at the northern tip of Haida Gwaii. The boat was swamped and I felt like I lost 10 years off my life. But I was celebrating in port with a large group of fishermen - the “Pender Boys” we were called – feeling a great sense of accomplishment and that we all do well together. There was an incredible sunset on the way home, rounding out that memorable experience for me.
5. What do you believe everyone should know about wild Pacific halibut and the fishery?
The fishery is well managed and well monitored, with shorter fishing trips and many measures in place to avoid by-catch. We are all on-board to provide a wonderful product.
6. What do you believe are the most important issues facing the wild Pacific halibut industry today?
Access to the resource. There is some uncertainty about how the resource will be allocated and where I as a fisherman will fit into those plans.
7. How would you describe the future of the wild Pacific halibut fishery? Overall I believe that the stocks are incredibly healthy so there is a good future ahead. Issues related to access to the resource will need to be addressed though.
8. What three words/phrases best describe the wild Pacific halibut fishery today? Wild and natural
1. What was your first job?
Running the purse winch on a fishing boat when I was about eight or nine years old
2. What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not fishing?
Spending time with family, skiing, hiking, walking the dog and working on my boat
3. What is your favourite meal to eat on the boat when fishing?
Thai curry wild Pacific halibut and panko crusted Wild Pacific halibut cheeks
4. What is your favourite wild Pacific halibut dish?
Thai curry wild Pacific halibut and panko crusted Wild Pacific halibut cheeks
5. What is your favourite movie or TV show of all time?
Game of Thrones, Scarface, The Godfather
6. What is your favourite song or who is your favourite artist?
Folk Rock, but basically I’m superstitious so my rule is not to change the music when you have a good string and to change it when you have a bad string.
7. What is one thing that most people don’t know about you and may surprise them?
I wear my heart on my sleeve so everybody pretty much knows everything about me.
8. What skill or craft would you like to master?
Wood working, wooden boat building
9. Who is your hero and why?
The selfless fishermen who supported the young guys like me in our early days. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them showing me the ropes and financially making it possible for me to put money towards a boat and my business.