Complaint dismissed
Human rights tribunal rules on local case
3
Illegal dumping
Delta announces increased enforcement
5
New look
Tsawwassen church introduces mural
12
Optimist Delta
Newsstand $1
Making a splash
Delta rowers win five gold at Canada Summer Games
22
Head shave fundraiser
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.DELTA-OPTIMIST.COM The Voice of Delta since 1922 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
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SCAN WITH LAYAR TO VIEW PHOTOS
Show ‘n’ shine! PHOTOS BY
GORD GOBLE
Jim and Yvonne Costa of Ladner (left) take in some pretty quilts while there were plenty of sweet rides to photograph at the annual Quilt Walk and Classic Car Show last Sunday in Ladner Village. Check out more photos at www.delta-optimist.com.
Preserving Delta’s fishing heritage Volunteer group explores avenues for interpretation of one of local area’s early industries to the public BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
A local volunteer group is working tirelessly to preserve elements of Delta’s rich fishing heritage, but finding dollars to make it happen has been a challenge. Formed three years ago and working closely with the Delta Museum and Archives, the Delta Fishing Heritage Committee has been exploring various avenues for the interpretation of the local
fishing history to the public. “The whole Fraser River waterfront is actually in need of recognition,” said longtime resident Doug Massey, a committee member. Fishing in the Fraser River Estuary played an important part in the settlement and development of Delta, attracting many newcomers from First Nations to numerous European immigrants, such as the large Greek community on Deas Island. The fishery
at one time supported 14 canneries in Delta alone. “We’re trying to establish kiosks and interpretive centres whereby people will recognize that the shores of the Fraser River had an active fishing community. There was Japanese, Norwegian, Austrian, Greek and many more. You’d be surprised how many nationalities were involved,” Massey said. The committee had originally eyed the Delta-owned Seven
Seas fish plant building or the old Brackman-Ker building on Chisholm Street as potential locations for historical displays or an interpretive centre. However, the Brackman-Ker building collapsed into the harbour, while the municipality has decided to try to sell off the Seven Seas site. The committee is also looking for a permanent home for two old wooden fish boats — the Persian Fisher and Georgia Star — which were donated by local
fishing families. The committee wants to consolidate the storage of the boats into a single, dry land location where they can be repaired and restored for public display. The Persia Fisher is currently in pretty good shape, stored in a local barn. The Georgia Star, however, is in the water at Ladner Harbour and looking in much rougher condition, requiring big dollars to restore. “We haven’t been able to find See HERITAGE page 3