Understanding barriers, access, and management of marine mixed-stock fisheries in an era of reconciliation: Indigenous-led salmon monitoring in British Columbia

Wild salmon are central to food security, cultural identity, and livelihoods of coastal Indigenous communities. Yet ongoing inequities in governance, declining fish populations, and mixed-stock ocean fisheries may pose challenges for equitable access between Indigenous fishers and other non-Indigenous fishers. We sought to understand current perceptions among Hailzaqv (Heiltsuk) fishers towards salmon fisheries and their management. We conducted dockside surveys with both Hailzaqv fishers and sport fishers, and in-depth interviews with Hailzaqv fishers, community members, and natural resource managers. From these surveys and interviews we quantified satisfaction among both food, social, and ceremonial fishers and visiting recreational fishers with the current salmon fishery and associated social-ecological drivers, and characterized perceptions among Hailzaqv people of salmon fisheries and management. Second, we synthesized community perceptions of the revitalization of terminal, communally run salmon fisheries within Hailzaqv territory as a tool for their future salmon management. Finally, we elicited information from Hailzaqv fishers about the barriers people in their community currently face in accessing salmon fisheries. Our findings suggest that low salmon abundance, increased fishing competition, and high costs associated with participation in marine mixed-stock fisheries currently hinder access and equity for Hailzaqv fishers. This community-based research can help strengthen local, Indigenous-led management of salmon into the future.

Automated summary

The study examined the perceptions of Hailzaqv (Heiltsuk) fishers towards salmon fisheries and their management, identifying low salmon abundance, increased fishing competition, and high costs as barriers to access and equity for these Indigenous fishers. The research emphasizes the importance of community involvement and Indigenous-led management for the future of salmon management.