You are encouraged to attend the defence. The details of the defence and attendance information is included below:  

Date:  Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Time:  2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Defence mode: Hybrid

In-Person Attendance: 10-4044, UNBC Prince George Campus  

Virtual Attendance: via Microsoft Teams 

Please contact the Office of Graduate Administration for information regarding remote attendance for online defences. 

To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry and do not inadvertently share your screen. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: please ensure you are on time.  

Thesis/Dissertation entitled:  FISHER AND NON-FISHER PERCEPTIONS, PREFERENCES, AND PARTICIPATION: EXPLORING DIVERSE STORIES WITHIN THE OMINECA REGIONS’ RECREATIONAL FISHERIES

Abstract: 

This study identified drivers and constraints to leisure participation for fishers and non-fishers (anglers/non-anglers) in the Omineca Region of British Columbia, Canada. More specifically, my research identified how race, gender, and sexuality shaped participants’ perceptions of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the Omineca recreational fishery community. 

I collected data from 251 total fishers and non-fishers through mixed-methods. I hosted focus groups, facilitated semi-structured interviews, and used these to implement an online survey. I analyzed the qualitative data (i.e., focus group and interviews) thematically, and I analyzed the quantitative data (i.e., survey responses) using descriptive and non-parametric statistical tests.

Discussions surrounding gender, race, and sexuality in fishing highlighted complex intersections of identity and societal norms within the Omineca regional fishing community. Fishers were driven to participate for multiple reasons: to belong to a rural northern British Columbian lifestyle, to have a sense of productivity, to build relationships, and to mentor others and pass on their fishing knowledge. For non-fishers, fishing would need to be part of a broader outdoor experience centered on social connections and mentorship. In terms of leisure constraints, both fishers and non-fishers faced deterrents to participation, such as life transitions and changed priorities, reduced access to resources, an inability to find mentorship, and confusion around licensing and regulations. Barriers like gaining access to the mentoring, resources, and pre-requisite knowledge needed to go fishing, changed throughout a persons’ lifetime and location. Non-fishers from various backgrounds had preconceived notions of what a typical fisher looked and behaved like, as all assumed a typical fisher was a straight white man who may or may not welcome their participation. While there were signs of greater gender inclusivity—like women increasingly welcomed into the sport—racialized people, gender diverse people, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities still faced more significant barriers. Marginalized communities identified a lack of resources, a lack of representation, and a combination of intentional and inadvertent discrimination as reasons to not participate in fishing. Although these problematic realities persisted, many respondents from the dominant fishing group either did not recognize the issues or were unwilling to change the sport.

My findings indicated that recreational fishing culture in the Omineca Region primarily reflected the experiences, preferences, and privileges of straight, white, male participants. However, there were moments of resistance captured throughout the data collection, such as stories from proud women fishers finding their way in the sport or the willingness from some the dominant fishers working to make fishing more inclusive. My findings also demonstrated how societal norms shaped participation in the Omineca Region’s recreational fisheries and highlights the need for structural changes to promote inclusivity and diversity within the fishing community. I recommended that fisheries managers increase access to fishing through various recommendations; improve access to resources such as fishing gear, develop partnerships with groups that are traditionally marginalized in the outdoors, and create opportunities for social connection and mentorship within recreational fishing. 

Defence Committee:  

Chair: Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot, University of Northern British Columbia  

Supervisor: Dr. Philip Mullins, University of Northern British Columbia  

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Wigglesworth, University of Northern British Columbia  

Committee Member: Dr. Brett Van Poorten, Simon Fraser University  

Committee Member: Dr. Nikolaus Gantner, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development  

External Examiner: Dr. Zoe Meletis, University of Northern British Columbia