The “Persian Fisher” Reborn

The historic fishing vessel is being restored by the Delta Fishing Heritage Society (DFHS). The “Persian Fisher” was built in 1936 for Nobuo Teshima, a Japanese Canadian fisherman who fished for B.C. Packers’ ACME Cannery at Eburne, now part of south Vancouver. The boat was originally named N.T. 1014, as the owner’s initials and licence number were required to be displayed by the Fisheries Act of Canada. The vessel was a Fraser River Gill-netter. The vessel has undergone structural changes, as DFHS believes that the stern section was rebuilt and that the cabin was replaced.

The vessel was confiscated in 1942, at thee time of the Japanese Canadian internment. The vessel was then purchased by Henry Bell-Irving of the Anglo-British Packing Co. (A.B.C.). DFHS is not aware of the vessel’s ownership between World War II and 1960, when George Petrunia of Queensborough bought the Persian Fisher. The Petrunia family replaced the cabin, and the vessel was fished by David Petrunia, nephew of George, until 1968.

The “Persian Fisher” was purchased by Murray Dobrilla of Ladner, who sold it to Patrick Murphy, also of Ladner, who retired the “Persian Fisher” in 1977. The vessel was then stored at Lawrence Manning’s barn.

The “Persian Fisher” was donated to the DFHS in 2014 my Mr. Murphy’s family. DFHS now has the vessel stored under a tent in a safe location. The DFHS is now negotiating with the City of Delta to display the “Persian Fisher” in Delta. The “Persian Fisher” was visited by Roger Teshima, a relative of Nobuo Teshima in 2022. Roger Teshima was very pleased to see that the vessel is being restored.

DFHS believes that the “Persian Fisher” is an appropriate reflection of the British Columbia Fishing Industry, including the rich history and contribution of the Japanese Canadian families to the building of British Columbia.

DFHS would welcome any and all support from the Japanese Canadian Community in order to bring this historic project to fruition. DFHS can be contacted through our website, dfhs.ca, The Delta Fishing Heritage Society Facebook page, or by email to our president, John Stevens, johnstevens@lightspeed.ca