Fisheries
NOTICES & NEWS FLASHES
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The Secretariat of the Haida Nation is seeking expressions of interest for a live-aboard vessel to be used as a dive platform.
The vessel will need to sleep three Haida Fisheries Program dive team members and have ample deck space for the dive tanks, bricks, compressor etc.
The contract will be for 10 days, seven being used for condo maintenance and three days for urchin crushing, all work is in Area 2East. Anticipated start date is August 21, 2022
Please send your expressions of interest stating your price per day (please note that the vessel owner will have to pay for all costs associated with the vessel excluding food).
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Expressions of interest must be received by Friday, August 12, 2022 to be considered:
Mail or e-mail applications to:
HFP – Skidegate |
HFP – Massett |
#1 Reservoir Road |
272 Eagle Avenue |
PO Box 98 |
P.O. Box 87 |
Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, V0T 1S0 |
Massett, Haida Gwaii, V0T 1M0 |
Fax machine isn’t working |
(250) 626-3309 (fax) |
After the closing date, the CHN may select individuals and enter into contract arrangements without further public notices.
Yakoun River Tangle Net Species Verification Contract
Expression of Interest
The Yakoun River Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) requires species identification (ID) verification by use of tangle (gill) nets set immediately above the ARIS sonar site.
The Haida Fisheries Program requires a contractor (with 1 to 2 helpers) to set and monitor gillnets in the Yakoun River above the ARIS sonar site. The contractor will be required to:
- Supply his/her own gear (vehicle, gillnets, boat, waders or wet gear, etc.).
- Use two different size gillnets efficient to capture and (preferably) release sockeye, chinook and coho.
- Sample during 4 designated time periods: noon to 6 PM, 6 PM to midnight, Midnight to 6 AM and 6 AM to noon.
- To fish each one of the six hour designated time periods at least once per week. In other words, the contractor will be required to fish a minimum of 24 hours (during 4 different 6 hour intervals) each week.
- The set nets will need to be continuously monitored. Fish are to be live captured, measured (fork length), sex identified and released.
- There is also the potential for “Parental Based Tagging” (adipose punch).
- Test fish can begin the week of July 10 to 16 and will continue to the week of August 7 to 13. In other words, there is potential for 5 weeks of fishing. Additional weeks (after August 13) may be considered depending on the abundance of pink salmon in the Yakoun River (preferably the test fishery will need to avoid excessive encounters of pink salmon).
- Fishing will be conducted under the direction and instructions of the Haida Fisheries Program Salmon Biologist.
If you are interested in the contract fishing opportunity, please submit a letter of interest stating what you would charge per day etc.
Please note that the fishers will be responsible for providing their own transportation and associated costs such as fuel, vehicle insurance and must have their own boat, nets and other associated equipment.
Please submit your letter to Mark Spoljaric at the Skidegate CHN office or by e-mail: mark.spoljaric@haidanation.com. Please call 250-559-4468 and ask for Mark should you require more information.
Massett Inlet Fishery
Yakoun River is
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Awun River is
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Naden Harbour
TO BE DETERMINED AT A LATER DATE
Newsflashes are also available on the haidnation.ca website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the Massett office above.
Committee Members are Rollie Williams, Marshall Russ, John Hageman, John Bennett
Guardians are Rob and Evan
Massett Inlet Fishery
Yakoun River is
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Awun River will be open
June 17, 2022 at 6:00 am and close June 19th at 6:00 pm.
Newsflashes are also available on the haidnation.ca website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the Massett office above.
Committee Members are Rollie Williams, Marshall Russ, John Hageman, John Bennett
Guardians are Rob and Evan
Yakoun River 2022 Management
- Must have a Right to Access card from HFP (food fish card)
- Fishers must report catch numbers to Haida Guardians.
- No drugs or alcohol at the landing or any other public area of the fishing ground
- If under the influence of drugs or alcohol a Guardian and/or a committee member will pull your net and keep it for the remainder of that opening.
- Non-Haida spouses must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending, and retrieving nets
- One net per boat
- Maximum net size is 50 fathoms in length and 60 mesh deep
- All nets and/or bladders should be clearly marked with fishers’ name and Right to Access number
- Upstream boundary will be 6-mile bridge, no fishing above the bridge
- No commercial fishing gear allowed within a 2km radius from the mouth of the river during openings
- Net must be tied up each evening by 10pm
- No firearms to be discharged in the vicinity of fishing grounds
- Fish only your net, do not take fish from other people’s nets
- PFDs must be worn at all times when on the boat or when within 10 feet of the riverbank.
- No littering and take your own garbage with you
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- 35 Sockeye per night per household or 105 total for the weekend opening. Someone from the household must be at the river in order to take fish home
- If 105 sockeye are caught in one night then you will be done for the rest of the rivers opening for your household.
- Make sure all fires are out before you leave the fishing grounds.
Awun River 2022 Management
The same management rules apply to Awun River with the following addition:
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- No nets from the peg inside going upriver
Copper River / Skidegate Inlet and Church Creek
Closed for the Season
(Summary of the run to June 7, 2022):
Escapement past the fence: 11,239
Net Fisheries: 3,232
Fence Harvest (Community Events and elders): 922
Estimated return to date: 15,393
THE COPPER RIVER IS CLOSED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
This closure also includes Skidegate Inlet and Church Creek.
We will do a few more fence counts and continue to get fish for elders.
Copper River Opening
(Summary of the run to May 31, 2022):
Escapement past the fence: 10,564
Net Fisheries: 2,606
Fence Harvest (Community Events): 605
Estimated return to date: 13,775
The Copper Bay sockeye fishery will be open this weekend for 48 hours from 18:00 hrs. (6 PM) Friday, June 3rd to 18:00 hrs. (6 PM) Sunday, June 5th.
PLEASE NOTE:
Pursuant to a directive from the Copper Bay Fishery Committee all fisheries directed at Copper River sockeye including nets within Skidegate Inlet (and in front of Skidegate Village) and Church Creek are subject to the same regulations and opening / closure times as the Copper Bay fishery.
The Copper Bay Management Committee reviews the escapement data on a weekly basis to assist in the management of the sockeye fishery.
T and M Seafood (Old Albion plant) will have ice available Thursday – Saturday
$10 – regular cooler
$20 – large cooler
The following fishery regulations still apply:
- During the Copper Fisheries, a non-Haida spouse must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending and retrieving nets. A spouse is someone who is married to the other person or is living with the other person in a marriage-like relationship.
- One net and 30 fish limit per household, once you get your 30 fish please pull your net to allow others to get their fish, WE ARE KEEPING THE LIMIT AT 30 AS NOT ALL FAMILIES HAVE GOTTEN THEIR QUOTA
- Maximum net size 35 fathoms in length and 30 meshes deep;
- No drift fishing;
- No tying nets together;
- No circle sets;
- All nets and bladders must be marked clearly with fishers name (if not marked, a Haida Fisheries Guardian will pull your net);
- An upstream boundary will be in effect and clearly marked by orange bladders;
- No commercial boats allowed within the vicinity of Copper Bay;
- No snagging or gaffing of sockeye before, during or after fishery;
- All fish to be removed from nets within a half hour after drying up;
- Boats fishing in Skidegate Inlet are subject to DFO checks for safety gear;
- No firearms to be discharged in the vicinity of the fishing grounds
Please note:
Failure to comply with the above regulations or leaving your net in past the closure time will result in removal of your net by Haida Fisheries Program staff.
Catches will be monitored and enumerated by the Haida Fisheries Program. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Please wear a personal floatation device when boating and refrain from speeding, driving through the river channel and reckless driving on the beach or in the general Copper Bay camping area.
Remember to take all garbage home with you.
Please be advised that snagging of sockeye and fishing during closed periods is prohibited. Haida Fisheries staff will be conducting patrols of the River to check for compliance during 2022.
May 31, 2022
Massett Inlet Fishery
Yakoun River will be opening the weekend of
June 03, 2022 at 6:00 am and close June 05, 2022 at 6:00pm.
The following week will be announced after the first opening.
Newsflashes are also available on the haidnation.ca website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the Massett office above.
Committee Members are Rollie Williams, Marshall Russ, John Hageman, John Bennett
Guardians are Rob and Evan
Haw’aa
Yakoun River 2022 Management
- Must have a Right to Access card from HFP (food fish card)
- Fishers must report catch numbers to Haida Guardians.
- No drugs or alcohol at the landing or any other public area of the fishing ground
- If under the influence of drugs or alcohol a Guardian and/or a committee member will pull your net and keep it for the remainder of that opening.
- Non-Haida spouses must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending, and retrieving nets
- One net per boat
- Maximum net size is 50 fathoms in length and 60 mesh deep
- All nets and/or bladders should be clearly marked with fishers’ name and Right to Access number
- Upstream boundary will be 6-mile bridge, no fishing above the bridge
- No commercial fishing gear allowed within a 2km radius from the mouth of the river during openings
- Net must be tied up each evening by 10pm
- No firearms to be discharged in the vicinity of fishing grounds
- Fish only your net, do not take fish from other people’s nets
- PFDs must be worn at all times when on the boat or when within 10 feet of the riverbank.
- No littering and take your own garbage with you
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- 35 Sockeye per night per household or 105 total for the weekend opening. Someone from the household must be at the river in order to take fish home
- If 105 sockeye are caught in one night then you will be done for the rest of the rivers opening for your household.
- Make sure all fires are out before you leave the fishing grounds.
Awun River 2022 Management
The same management rules apply to Awun River with the following addition:
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- No nets from the peg inside going upriver
Copper River Opening
(Summary of the run to May 24, 2022):
Escapement past the fence: 8,629
Net Fisheries: 1,308
Fence Harvest (Community Events): 0
Estimated return to date: 9,937
The Copper Bay sockeye fishery will be open this weekend for 48 hours from 18:00 hrs. (6 PM) Friday, May 27th to 18:00 hrs. (6 PM) Sunday, May 29th.
PLEASE NOTE:
Pursuant to a directive from the Copper Bay Fishery Committee all fisheries directed at Copper River sockeye including nets within Skidegate Inlet (and in front of Skidegate Village) and Church Creek are subject to the same regulations and opening / closure times as the Copper Bay fishery.
The Copper Bay Management Committee reviews the escapement data on a weekly basis to assist in the management of the sockeye fishery.
T and M Seafood (Old Albion plant) will have ice available Thursday – Saturday
$10 – regular cooler
$20 – large cooler
The following fishery regulations still apply:
- During the Copper Fisheries, a non-Haida spouse must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending and retrieving nets. A spouse is someone who is married to the other person or is living with the other person in a marriage-like relationship.
- One net and 30 fish limit per household, once you get your 30 fish please pull your net to allow others to get their fish
- Maximum net size 35 fathoms in length and 30 meshes deep;
- No drift fishing;
- No tying nets together;
- No circle sets;
- All nets and bladders must be marked clearly with fishers name (if not marked, a Haida Fisheries Guardian will pull your net);
- An upstream boundary will be in effect and clearly marked by orange bladders;
- No commercial boats allowed within the vicinity of Copper Bay;
- No snagging or gaffing of sockeye before, during or after fishery;
- All fish to be removed from nets within a half hour after drying up;
- Boats fishing in Skidegate Inlet are subject to DFO checks for safety gear;
- No firearms to be discharged in the vicinity of the fishing grounds
Please note:
Failure to comply with the above regulations or leaving your net in past the closure time will result in removal of your net by Haida Fisheries Program staff.
Catches will be monitored and enumerated by the Haida Fisheries Program. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Please wear a personal floatation device when boating and refrain from speeding, driving through the river channel and reckless driving on the beach or in the general Copper Bay camping area.
Remember to take all garbage home with you.
Please be advised that snagging of sockeye and fishing during closed periods is prohibited. Haida Fisheries staff will be conducting patrols of the River to check for compliance during 2022.
Massett Inlet Fishery
Yakoun River will be opening the weekend of May 27, 2022 at 6:00 am and close May 29, 2022 at 6:00pm. The following week will be announced after the first opening.
Newsflashes are also available on the haidnation.ca website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the Massett office above.
Committee Members are Rollie Williams, Marshall Russ, John Hageman, John Bennett
Guardians are Rob and Evan
Haw’aa
Yakoun River 2022 Management
- Must have a Right to Access card from HFP (food fish card)
- Fishers must report catch numbers to Haida Guardians.
- No drugs or alcohol at the landing or any other public area of the fishing ground
- If under the influence of drugs or alcohol a Guardian and/or a committee member will pull your net and keep it for the remainder of that opening.
- Non-Haida spouses must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending, and retrieving nets
- One net per boat
- Maximum net size is 50 fathoms in length and 60 mesh deep
- All nets and/or bladders should be clearly marked with fishers’ name and Right to Access number
- Upstream boundary will be 6-mile bridge, no fishing above the bridge
- No commercial fishing gear allowed within a 2km radius from the mouth of the river during openings
- Net must be tied up each evening by 10pm
- No firearms to be discharged in the vicinity of fishing grounds
- Fish only your net, do not take fish from other people’s nets
- PFDs must be worn at all times when on the boat or when within 10 feet of the riverbank.
- No littering and take your own garbage with you
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- 35 Sockeye per night per household or 105 total for the weekend opening. Someone from the household must be at the river in order to take fish home
- If 105 sockeye are caught in one night then you will be done for the rest of the rivers opening for your household.
- Make sure all fires are out before you leave the fishing grounds.
Awun River 2022 Management
The same management rules apply to Awun River with the following addition:
- Nets must not block the complete width of the river. One end of the net must be open at high water at all times.
- No nets from the peg inside going upriver
K’aasda Gandlaay
Copper River Meeting
DATE: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: CHN Office, Skidegate
Escapement to May 22, 2022 is 8,102
Net Fishery: 1,308
Please come out to discuss this very important fishery!
PUBLIC MEETING
Massett Inlet Sockeye Food
Fishery for 2022
Location: Haida Fisheries Office, 272 Eagle Ave. Old Massett
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 24th 2022 at 7:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and give input on this important fishery.
A mask will be required to attend this meeting to ensure the safety of all.
Copper River Opening
(Summary of the run to May 18, 2022):
Escapement past the fence: 7,451
Net Fisheries: 0
Fence Harvest (Community Events): 0
Estimated return to date: 7,451
The Copper Bay sockeye fishery will be open this weekend for 66 hours from 18:00 hrs. (6 PM) Friday, May 20th to 12:00 hrs. (Noon) Monday, May 23rd.
PLEASE NOTE:
Pursuant to a directive from the Copper Bay Fishery Committee all fisheries directed at Copper River sockeye including nets within Skidegate Inlet (and in front of Skidegate Village) and Church Creek are subject to the same regulations and opening / closure times as the Copper Bay fishery.
The Copper Bay Management Committee reviews the escapement data on a weekly basis to assist in the management of the sockeye fishery.
–
T and M Seafood (Old Albion plant) will have ice available Thursday – Saturday
$10 – regular cooler
$20 – large cooler
The following fishery regulations still apply:
- During the Copper Fisheries, a non-Haida spouse must be accompanied by their Haida spouse or Haida family member while setting, tending and retrieving nets. A spouse is someone who is married to the other person or is living with the other person in a marriage-like relationship.
- One net and 30 fish limit per household, once you get your 30 fish please pull your net to allow others to get their fish
- Maximum net size 35 fathoms in length and 30 meshes deep;
- No drift fishing;
- No tying nets together;
- No circle sets;
- All nets and bladders must be marked clearly with fishers name (if not marked, a Haida Fisheries Guardian will pull your net);
- An upstream boundary will be in effect and clearly marked by orange bladders;
- No commercial boats allowed within the vicinity of Copper Bay;
- No snagging or gaffing of sockeye before, during or after fishery;
- All fish to be removed from nets within a half hour after drying up;
- Boats fishing in Skidegate Inlet are subject to DFO checks for safety gear;
Please note:
Failure to comply with the above regulations or leaving your net in past the closure time will result in removal of your net by Haida Fisheries Program staff.
Catches will be monitored and enumerated by the Haida Fisheries Program. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Please wear a personal floatation device when boating and refrain from speeding, driving through the river channel and reckless driving on the beach or in the general Copper Bay camping area.
Remember to take all garbage home with you.
Please be advised that snagging of sockeye and fishing during closed periods is prohibited. Haida Fisheries staff will be conducting patrols of the River to check for compliance during 2022.
K’aasda Gandlaay Copper River Meeting
DATE: Tuesday, May 17, 2022
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: CHN Office, HlGaagilda Skidegate
Escapement to May 15, 2022 is 5,434
Please come out to discuss this very important fishery! We will be discussing the opening for the long weekend. Haawa!
PUBLIC MEETING
Massett Inlet Sockeye Food
Fishery for 2022
Location: Haida Fisheries Office, 272 Eagle Ave. Old Massett
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 11th 2022 at 7:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and give input on this important fishery.
A mask will be required to attend this meeting to ensure the safety of all.
SHN COMMERCIAL FISHING OPPORTUNITIES
The Secretariat of the Haida Nation is now accepting applications for the following commercial fishing opportunities. Interested parties are required to contact the Haida Fisheries offices in Skidegate or Old Massett for an application.
SALMON
- 5 Salmon Troll Area F (36’6”, 40’6”, 40’8”, 41’9” and 43’1”)
- 3 Northern Salmon Gillnet Area C (36’6” to 40’1”)
- 1 Northern Salmon Seine Area A (56’)
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Friday, May 13, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Incomplete applications will not be considered and copies of required documents must be submitted with application.
All vessels must be registered to commercially fish DFO licenses and abide by all safety and licensing regulations.
CHN Skidegate |
Haida Fisheries Program |
After the closing date, the CHN may select individuals and enter into contract arrangements without further public notices. CHN may choose not to allocate all licences and/or quota.
SHN – HAIDA WILD COMMERCIAL FISHING OPPORTUNITIES
The Secretariat of the Haida Nation and Haida Wild have the following commercial opportunities for the 2022 commercial fishing season. Interested parties can contact the HFP Office in Old Massett and the CHN office in Skidegate for an application.
Ground Fish
- 6 coast wide halibut (FL) licenses (66’ to 82’ 6”)
- 1 coast wide halibut (L) license (61’4”)
- One coast wide sablefish (FK) license (49’11”)
The SHNFC has used the following priorities in the past: Haida owned & operated vessel, Haida skipper & Haida crew; Haida spouse owned & operated, Haida spouse skipper & Haida crew, Haida Gwaii residents given preference over off-island residents.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, February 4th at 4 pm
Incomplete applications will not be considered and copies of required documents must be submitted with applications.
CHN Skidegate |
Haida Fisheries Program |
After the closing date, the SHN may select individuals and enter into contract arrangements without further public notices. SHN may choose not to allocate all licenses and/or quota.
DOWNLOADABLE PDF
2022 SHN Fishing application – Groundfish
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The Council of the Haida Nation is seeking expressions of interest for people wanting to lease one herring seine and two herring gillnet licenses for the 2022 season.
Application packages may be picked up at the addresses listed below and must be completed and returned to one of the addresses below
Preference will be given to persons of Haida ancestry with previous experience in these fisheries.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Expressions of interest must be received by the following date to be considered:
Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4PM
Mail or fax applications to either of the offices listed below:
Haida Fisheries Program E-mail: irene.bruce@haidanation.com |
Haida Fisheries Program |
After the closing date, the CHN may select individuals and enter into contract arrangements without further public notices.
November 5, 2021
CHAAW SALII AGAN XAYNANGAAS
‘WAADLUWAAN GA TL’A GUD GIIDA
Respect the Living Things on the Beach
Clam Bed Sensitivity
K’yuu butterclam’s live in a wide variety of substrates, ranging between pure sand to pure gravel. Typical substrate being a mixture of sand, broken shell, and small gravel. This puts all bivalve shellfish at high risk for compaction or crushing from human disturbances. K’yuu are known for irregular seeding’s, resulting in high fluctuations in adult populations. Other environmental changes such as ocean acidification have potential to put high stress on local populations. In order to keep our clam beds healthy, we must do all we can to ensure reduced disturbances as much as possible.
Best Practices
- Limit driving on the beach.
- Drive near the high tide line whenever possible.
- Vehicle operators are encouraged to regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that they are not leaking fluids onto the beach environment.
- Stay up to date on beach closures.
- Any closures will be announced by fisheries notice, through signage at the beach access, and by public notice.
- Tliisdluu gudang kilagans isdaa Take only what you need.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaas at 250-626-3302