Article content

Don Sananin has loved the sea and fishing since he started in the industry as a 17-year-old.

On the water, being so close to nature, soothed his soul. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I even love a good storm. There’s only a few jobs that brings out the soul in you.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Unfolding disaster in B.C. salmon fishing industry has hit workers hard Back to video

But after more than 50 years working as a commercial fisherman, the Burnaby man hasn’t seen a salmon season as grim as this year’s.

Sananin, 70, who holds a license for the area that includes the Fraser River to the west coast of Vancouver Island, hasn’t been out on the water yet.

“There hasn’t been an opening,” he said. “The sockeye is the worst it’s ever been since the 1890s.”

He’s one of the commercial fishermen and other workers — who rely on abundant and healthy salmon stocks for their livelihood — hit hard by the decline in stocks, which the federal fisheries ministry has attributed largely to climate change.

On Monday, First Nation and union leaders said the federal and provincial governments need to step in to help fishermen through the worst commercial fishing season in 50 years as runs have plummeted for all species and in all regions.