The third annual Blessing of the Fleet at False Creek Harbour will be about more than well wishes for the fishing boats moored at the docks.
Consumers must choose between local and imported, farmed and wild whenever they buy groceries at the supermarket. Donnie Sananin, president of the newly named False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf, wants to make that decision easier for them.
The organization wants to raise the profile of the wild-caught prawns, shrimp, salmon and other seafood that people can buy right in the city. “We just want to make sure that people know Vancouver does have a commercial fishing harbour and it’s in their own backyard,” Mike Loy, the harbour manager, said.
Vancouver chefs know about this source of sustainable seafood. Over 90 per cent of Vancouver restaurants buy seafood from False Creek fisherman, according to Loy.
In addition to the fleet blessing, Saturday May 24 will be Harbour Appreciation Day, complete with salmon burgers. Sananin hopes that the people will gain a greater appreciation for wild-caught seafood when they see the fishing boats, the fishermen, and fish sizzling on the barbeque all in one place.
The chef cooking the delicious fish has a special connection to the harbour as well. Jack Kines has been fishing for 12 years and knows the fishermen at False Creek well. He graduated from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in 2009 with a culinary diploma and in 2011 with another in pastry. People buying a meal at Saturdays fleet blessing will be in for a treat.
“The tuna and salmon will be marinated with brown sugar, teriyaki sauce and roasted garlic,” he said. Kines will grill the fish on the barbeque before serving it in either a burger or on a salad.
The fishermen will receive this tasty meal for free as a sign of appreciation.
Ritchie Hagberg has been salmon fishing for more than 40 years, and is providing the spring and coho salmon that will be featured in Kines’ cooking next weekend. He attended the Blessing of the Fleet two years ago, and found that it gave him great luck.
“I had trouble for a while, engine troubles and that type of thing. I did the blessing of the fleet thing and then I had a great season — I had one of my best seasons,” he said. “I didn’t make it last year, but the blessing lasted so I had a good season still.” Hagberg said that he would be sure to attend this year’s blessing.
Word in the harbour is this year’s blessing of the fleet foreshadows one of the biggest sockeye runs in recent memory. “We know it’s going to be huge,” said Sananin excitedly. “It’s going to be epic.”
Father John Eason of the Holy Rosary Cathedral will bless the fleet soon after noon on Saturday, May 24. The event is open to the public.
