Forestry
European explorers began settling in Ucluelet in the late 1880s, building a sawmill and a general store. Though forestry was part of the local economy, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it became a dominant industry. Logs were harvested and sent to mills far from the coast, leaving an indelible mark on Ucluelet's history and lifestyle.
Fishing
After World War I, Ucluelet’s economy boomed again, this time with fishing. The waters teemed with salmon, halibut, cod, and herring, prompting the development of canneries and processing stations. Around 1920, Japanese fishermen moved into the area, and commercial and sport fishing have remained key economic drivers for the community ever since.
Shipwrecks
Known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific," the waters off Vancouver Island’s West Coast have claimed over 100 ships, some dating back to early American and European exploration. The Carelmapu, a Chilean cargo ship, was wrecked in 1915 after being caught in a violent storm and thrown against the rocks at Long Beach. Barclay Sound also hosts several other famous wrecks.
Mining
Gold was discovered in 1900 at Wreck Bay, also called Florencia Bay, which attracted more settlers to the region. However, commercial gold mining proved to be challenging. Mining revived in the 1960s when Ucluelet became British Columbia's largest shipper of iron concentrates, briefly returning mining to a place of prominence in the area.
