Fisheries Management Direction for G̲aw K̲áahlii Masset Inlet and X̲aana K̲aahlii Skidegate Inlet

In February 2025, the Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced new Fisheries Management Direction and Fisheries Closures for G̲aw K̲áahlii Masset Inlet and X̲aana K̲aahlii Skidegate Inlet as part of the recently designated G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges.

G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii are at the heart of Haida Gwaii. These areas have supported the culturally and ecologically important species, vital to the wellbeing of the ocean, and all on Haida Gwaii. The river estuaries and kelp forests are invaluable for the health ts.íin | chiina salmon, x̲aguu | x̲aaguu halibut, ‘íináang | iinang herring, and x̲edíit | siigaay xidid seabirds and their habitats.

What are the goals of the G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges

Marine Refuges are long-term measures also known as an OECM or Other Effective Conservation Measure under Canada’s Fisheries Act. These measures help protect important species, their habitats and ecosystems. The initial designation of Marine Refuges includes fisheries closures to support identified conservation objectives and a commitment to develop site management plans to inform decision making.

The G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges were designated on March 11, 2025, with the goal to protection ecologically and culturally important species and habitats, including multiple species of salmon, sea birds and their habitat, to contribute to long-term conservation and species biodiversity.

What closures are introduced for the G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges

In addition to existing fisheries closures, CHN and Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented fisheries closures under their respective authorities (CHN Fisheries Managment Direction, 2025; DFO FN0099 and FN0100) . These Fisheries Closures apply only to the areas identified in red on the attached map:

Closed activities:

• All commercial fishing is closed within the G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges, including:
  • All commercial bottom trawl fisheries
  • All commercial salmon by purse seine, troll and midwater gillnet
  • All commercial invertebrates by traps, pots and diving
• Recreational fisheries by boat, trap, pot, and hand-picking are closed, including:
  • All recreational salmon by troll,
  • All recreational non-salmon finfish by bottom handline, hook and line, and rod and reel,
  • All recreational invertebrates by traps, pots, harpoon and spear, hand picking/digging, or diving.

Permitted activities:

• Shore-based recreational rod and reel fishing (angling) is permitted, recognizing this is an important fishery for local communities’ food security.
• Haida food harvest continues to be allowed throughout G̲aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii, by boat and shore.

Background

The CHN has raised concerns about commercial fisheries in X̲aana K̲aahlii has since the 1990s (Haida Laas, December 1994; Haida Laas, April 1995). Continuation of these commercial fisheries put the health of the inlets at risk, alongside unsustainable removal ‘íináang | iinang , x̲aguu | x̲aaguu and ts.íin | chiina , there was risk of ripping up sensitive eelgrass beds, kelp forests, and damaging the sea floor. CHN has worked with DFO to implement these closures, including the closing of commercial herring seine, salmon seine and trawl fisheries.

Over the years, we have continued to witness changing conditions in Haida waters. Monitoring and management planning through an ecosystem-based approach was recognized to be more in line with Haida values and to understand how to take care of

Haida waters. Since 2006, CHN has been working with Canada and the Province of British Columbia to develop management plans, rooted and informed by Haida knowledge and western science. This work has led to the development and implementation of the Haida Gwaii Marine Use Plan (2011), Haida Gwaii Marine Plan (2015) and the MPA Network Action Plan (2023).

The CHN Fisheries Management Direction, the G̲aw K̲áahlii Marine Refuge and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuge build on this foundational work implementing place-based measures to support local food security, and protect areas of high biodiversity, areas important for the life history of marine beings and areas important for species of special consideration (rare, threatened, endangered and at risk).

If you would like more information, please visit:

• CHN Marine Planning Fisheries Management Direction
• MPA Network
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada –

  G̲aw K̲áahlii Masset Inlet

  X̲aana K̲aahlii Skidegate Inlet