Public Notice Revised, July 2026 | Chinook Conservation Measures

To: Citizens of the NISGA’A NATION
From: Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department (NFWD)
Date: June 26, 2026

Chinook Conservation Closure Measures: July 2026

The NFWD program carefully tracks salmon, runs each year to ensure adequate numbers reach their
spawning grounds (escapement). As of June 26, an estimated 697 Chinook have passed
Gitwinksihlkw fishwheels (-3,500 less than average at this time of year) (Table 1). Nass River has
been experiencing very high-water levels to date and If or when water levels drop we could see
larger numbers passing through the fish wheels.
Notes:

1. Currently with higher discharge rates for Nass (>2500 m3/s), we are currently below average
   for Nass sockeye (8,500 vs. 32,000) and chinook (700 vs. 6,300) passage by GW to 26 June
   (see Table 1 for reference) with average run timing for sockeye = 10% run (range: 0-25%)
   and chinook = 30% (range: <1-57% in 1998) – so all is early to date.
2. Once the discharge falls below 2000 m3/s, we will see much larger fishwheel catches with no
   water discharge migration barrier at 2.6 m (1600 m3/s) for the team to be ready. We are
   currently at 2400 m3/s after last check this morning.
3. We are currently below target by 3500 Chinook passing GW to reach run size target of
   15,000 (see table below). By Saturday, we hope to see 4,200 chinook passing GW and as of
   last night, we are 697 chinook.
   
   Nisga’a Fish and Wildlife Department regrets to announce that the current 3-day weekly FSC
   harvest plan will continue through to 11th July (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, Marine and In-River.
   b) no overnight set nets, effectively immediately to support the declining Chinook stocks within the Nass River (In River).
   c) 1 net per fisher (nets will be no longer than 40 corks or equivalent of 35 FM (210 Ft) in max length, nets will also be up to 60 mesh in depth and up to 5 ¼ mesh size, within the Nass River (in-River).
   The Department will continue to closely track all Nass River salmon returns to inform future
   management decisions. The next public update will be issued on Wednesday, July 8 or earlier if
   Nass escapement improves.
   
   We thank the Nisga’a Nation fishers for your cooperation in the conservation of Nass Chinook.
   
   Harry Nyce Sr.
   Director of Fisheries and Wildlife

Table 1. Weekly Nass Chinook Salmon cumulative run size estimates passing Gitwinksihlkw and Grease Harbour in 2026 and compared to cumulative run size goals.