Coho conservation & First Nations' fisheries access through Heiltsuk monitoring
Date
2026
Authors
Johnson, Sophia
Kern, Dawson
Ban, Natalie
Steel, Jade
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
This research addresses critical gaps related to the impacts of marine mixed-stock fisheries on coho populations and fishing access for Heiltsuk fishers within Heiltsuk Territory using data collected through the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD) Fisheries Monitoring Program. The project examines shifts in access to salmon for Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) Heiltsuk fishers and investigates which coho Conservation Units (CUs) contribute to local catches using dockside survey data and Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples collected from fishing trips landing in Bella Bella, BC, between May and September from 2019 to 2025. Quantitative and qualitative interview data provide insights into fishing effort, catch, costs, and FSC fisher perceptions, while genetic samples identify the CUs of harvested coho. Analyses suggest that while the number of salmon caught per trip has declined and costs have increased, FSC fishers' perceptions of successful fishing seasons have improved. Additionally, changes in the composition of coho CUs contributing to the catch and estimated decreasing fish lengths highlight ongoing conservation concerns for Central Coast coho. This research is led and supported by HIRMD and contributes to Heiltsuk-led fisheries monitoring that informs fisheries management and conservation strategies.
Description
Keywords
fisheries, Indigenous, genetics, salmon, monitoring, management, Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)