Nuu-chah-nulth Lose Bid to Stop Commercial Fishing of Dwindling Herring Stocks

Herring caught by commercial fishing boat.

David Wiwchar, Indian Country Today, March 3, 2015

A plan to stop the commercial herring fishery off the west coast of Vancouver Island this year has failed.

Five Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations had appealed to a federal court to stop the fishery because they believe the stocks are in danger of collapse. Nuu-chah-nulth biologists, elders and commercial fishermen told the court that herring stocks have been low for the past decade, and requests for a fishing moratorium made to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has fallen on deaf ears.

First Nations fight feds over decision to open herring-roe fisheries

Herring caught by commercial fishing boat.

By Jennifer Saltman, The Province, February 24, 2015

Three coastal B.C. First Nations are once again fighting the federal government’s decision to open herring roe fisheries in their areas, arguing fish stocks have not recovered enough to permit commercial fishing.

It’s the second year in a row the Nuu-chah-nulth, Heiltsuk and Haida have voiced their opposition to commercial fishing of spawning herring and roe collected on kelp.

“It’s unfortunate that we have this again — the fight with the department and the fight with industry,” said Dr. Don Hall, fisheries program manager for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

The Nuu-chah-nulth are heading to federal court on Thursday to seek an injunction to stop the fishery from opening on the west coast of Vancouver Island. In early March, the Haida Nation will also apply for an injunction to stop herring fishing around Haida Gwaii.

DFO backs down from commercial fishery banned by Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation

Three RCMP boats parked at docks in Bella Bella, ‘BC.’ as part of their operation against Heiltsuk, March 2014.

by APTN National News, April 3, 2014

A coastal British Columbia First Nation is claiming a partial victory after federal Fisheries and Oceans officials agreed to keep commercial herring gillnet boats away from waters set off-limits by the community.

Tensions rise as Heiltsuk demand Central Coast herring fishery be called off

A Tlingit in Alaska gathering Herring roe,.

MARK HUME, The Globe and Mail, April 1, 2014

Tensions are rising on a remote stretch of British Columbia’s Central Coast, where a commercial herring fleet is gathering to fish in an area long closed because of conservation concerns.

Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea overruled her own staff recently in deciding to allow fishing this spring, but as the opening approaches, First Nations are increasingly demanding that the fishery be called off.