The Japanese were heavily involved in the fishing industry along the British Columbian coast in the early 1900s. Salmon and herring were the major catches. The Nikkei operated fish salteries and the fish was exported to Japan. Nanaimo on Vancouver Island was the centre of the herring industry during this period. Because fishing provided seasonal employment, many worked in other industries such as logging and farming. Credit: Public Archives of Canada / Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Archives