Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife | Chinook Conservation Closure Measures

To: Citizens of the NISGA’A NATION
From: Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department (NFWD)
Date: May 27, 2026

Chinook Conservation Closure Measures: June 2026

The NFWD program carefully tracks salmon, runs each year to ensure adequate numbers reach their spawning grounds (escapement). Low returns of Nass Chinook salmon over 15 years (2010-2025) where the escapement goal (15,000) to the Nass Area has only reached in five years since 2010. The annual escapement targets to the upper river are 13,000 for Chinook. In 2025, the upper Nass Chinook escapement was below target (11,000 vs. 13,000) but good returns to coastal Nass streams (12,700) for 22,900 spawners.

Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife Department is pleased to announce that, as of Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, the 3-day weekly FSC harvest plan comes into effect for June (weekdays – Tuesdays/ Thursdays, and Saturdays) FSC Harvesting is open from 6 am to 9 pm on the identified days of the week in the marine and in river areas.

Reminder: Harvesting Measures:

a) a 3-day FSC harvest plan set in June 2026 – Tuesdays/ Thursdays/ Saturdays from 6 am to 9 pm
b) no overnight set nets, effectively immediately to support the declining Chinook stocks in the Nass River c) 1 net per fisher (nets will be no longer than 40 corks or equivalent of 35 FM (210 Ft) in max length in Nass River.

The Department will continue to closely track all Nass River salmon returns to inform future management decisions throughout the month of June.
We thank the Nisga’a Nation fishers for your cooperation in the conservation of Nass Chinook.

Harry Nyce Sr.
Director of Fisheries and Wildlife

Issued by Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife Department