Introducing Aaron Murray: General Manager of Coastal Nations Commercial Fishing

After an extensive search and hiring process, we are thrilled to announce Aaron Murray as the inaugural General Manager for Coastal Nations Commercial Fishing LP (CNCF), which operates as a commercial subsidiary of its parent company Coastal Nations Fisheries.

Bringing a wealth of experience to his leadership role with CNCF, Aaron will oversee the development of this growing for-profit business, providing a key link between CNCF and its Board. All profits from CNCF will be reinvested to grow new fishing opportunities in shareholder First Nations, including support for community-based fisheries—enhancing the livelihoods and income of their citizens and ensuring more fishers (both established and new) will be able fish closer to home in mid-sized and small vessels.

“We reviewed a lot of great applicants for this role, but Aaron stood out from the pool of highly-qualified candidates,” said K’unya Laurie Bevan, Board Chair of Coastal Nations Fisheries. “He’s a seasoned leader with in-depth knowledge of all aspects of coastal fisheries, including licences and quotas, openings and closures, vessel restrictions, and a wide variety of fishing methods for different fish species. We’re confident Aaron will make a huge positive impact to our organization now and for many years to come.”

Aaron has developed an in-depth understanding of the commercial fishing sector in BC, and has worked extensively with vessel owners and fishers throughout the coast. In his previous role at Sea Fresh Fish Ltd, a multi-generational family fishing business, Aaron oversaw all fisheries operations over 25 years, including the complete value chain from harvesting through to processing and sales. He has also acted as an industry advisor in many capacities, currently serving on the Fraser Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission.

Aaron’s experience goes back much further than his working life: he grew up in a fishing family with deep roots in the BC fishing industry, and started going fishing when he was just five years old, often sleeping under the galley table. After working as a deckhand, packing and gillnetting salmon through his childhood, Aaron began running a gillnetter at 15 years old, and has been fishing salmon and herring ever since.

In keeping with the shareholder Nations’ responsibility and commitment to care for coastal ecosystems, Aaron is deeply committed to the sustainability of BC’s fisheries. Recognizing the importance of the regulatory and scientific landscape, he obtained his Bachelor of Science majoring in Conservation Biology from the University of British Columbia. He went on to the Simon Fraser School of Resource and Environmental Management for two years of post-graduate study in fisheries management.

Through the Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA), CNCF has significant and growing access to commercial fishing licences and quotas, as well as vessels and gear, with annual fishing arrangements and joint ventures already in place. With Aaron’s leadership and guidance from a strong Board, CNCF will continue to enhance these assets and joint ventures, building a sustainable and profitable commercial fishing business that will support coastal economies and livelihoods into the future.

Learn more about Coastal Nations Commercial Fishing.