Update on Trawl Observation March 2025

A total of 180,601lbs of fish was caught off the West Coast of Haida Gwaii on this three-day trip of five tows, with an average of 36,120lbs caught per tow. Pacific Ocean Perch was harvested the most, for a total of 110,380 lbs (61% of the overall catch). Yellowmouth Rockfish at 39,987lbs (22% of total catch) and Silvergray Rockfish at 22,524lbs (12% of total catch) were the next most caught fish species.

A total of 1,601lbs of “bycatch” species, which CHN refers to as discarded fish as the survival is low, representing 5% of the total catch, was caught in the five tows. Those discarded species for this trip were hake, turbot, halibut, dogfish and ratfish. Dan observed that these fish are experiencing high pressure in the massive nets, and mortality rates are very high.

The Nordic Pearl is a wet-deck trawler that offloads at the Canfisco facility in Kxeen Prince Rupert, the catch is then sent to Vancouver for processing. This three-day trip fished from 10 miles offshore of Chaahluu Ḵaahlii Rennel Sound, offshore of Ḵaa.nuu G̱awG̱aay Kano Inlet, and anchored in Ḵay Ḵaahlii Port Louis before heading back across to Kxeen Prince Rupert. This non-selective and highly efficient fishing method allowed this one vessel to take 180,601lbs of fish out of Haida waters in three days, without any contribution to Haida Gwaii’s local economy, and numerous vessels are fishing Haida waters for many months each year.

The Council of the Haida Nation remains firmly opposed to the trawl fishery (midwater and bottom) operating in Haida waters.

The attached letter was sent to the trawl industry on March 14, 2025. Work to implement the opposition of trawlers in Haida waters is ongoing, and updates are shared at haidanation.ca/stewardship/marine/trawl-monitoring.