Alister,
Regarding the late 19th century fishery on the Pacific Coast of Canada,
a good starting point would be 'Tangled Webs of History' (Diane Newell,
U or Toronto Press, 1993). The book itself focuses on the native fishery
but there are some references to Chinese. The primary value of this
book will be in the extensive bibliography.
Bob Muckle
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/29/2003 9:17:36 PM >>>
Hello all with Histarch, my name is Alister Bowen and I am a PhD
student
> in archaeology at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. I am
making contact with you in regard to the early (1850s to 1900s) Chinese
> involvement in the fishing industry.
>
>
>
> The following paragraph is the intro from my research design.
>
>
>
> The arrival of many thousands of Chinese Gold miners to Victoria
during
> the 1850s increased demand for fish, a Chinese dietary staple. In
this
> period, Chinese people began fishing commercially in Victoria,
supplying
> their compatriots with fresh and cured fish. Chinese did fish,
however
> their major contribution to Victoria's fishing industry is that they
> purchased great quantities of fish for curing from European fishing
> people. Transport of fish to market during the 19th century was the
> biggest factor hampering development in Victoria's rural fishing
> industry. It was common for whole catches of fish to be condemned
> through putrefaction before a market could be reached. Chinese
> purchasing large quantities of fish to cure created a reliable fish
> market in areas distant from Melbourne, like Corner Inlet, Port
Albert
> and Metung. This created an influx of European fishing activity in
areas
> previously regarded as unprofitable for commercial fishing.
Documentary
> evidence for Chinese involvement in Victoria's fishing industry is
> limited. Therefore, to explore and describe aspects of this Chinese
> activity, and construct and test related hypotheses, historical
> archaeological investigation becomes the most rewarding avenue.
>
>
>
> So, that's what I am up to and as there has been very little written
on
> the Chinese fish curers in Australia, I am beginning to turn my
> attention to America and Canada. A very similar situation occurred
in
> California as with Australia. The 1850s Gold rush stimulated Chinese
> immigration and migration and then the Chinese moved into labour
> intensive work areas such as fishing, furniture making, market
> gardening, etc. So the question I would like to ask is: does anyone
know
> anything or have any references concerning the early (1850's to 1900)
> Chinese involvement in the Australian, American or Canadian fishing
industry?
>
>
>
> I would be very grateful for any information.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
>
>
> Alister
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