TNG Fisheries Department

The TNG Fisheries Department works to rebuild and recover all salmon species in Tŝilhqot’in territory, to protect biodiversity and support thriving, resilient, and sustainable traditional fisheries.

Healthy salmon populations are essential to food security, biodiversity, ecosystem health, Tŝilhqot’in cultural practices, and title and rights.

Working closely with Tŝilhqot’in leadership and communities, along with provincial and federal government partners, we deliver several projects and programs that support Nation-wide priorities and objectives.

Updates

In an effort to provide timely information concerning matters that effect the salmon stocks that Tŝilhqot’in citizens depend on, below are weekly updates. Note that these updates occur largely during our main fishing season. For immediate questions concerning fisheries, please contact our Fisheries Manager, Randy Billyboy, at rbillyboy@tsilhqotin.ca or 250-392-3918 ext. 113.

2023
September 5, 2023 – Tsilhqot’in Fisheries Update- Ts’eman Fisheries EXTENSION
August 29, 2023 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 25, 2023 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 16, 2023 (Updated August 17, 2023) – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 09, 2023 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 03, 2023 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
July 26, 2023 –TNG Fisheries Bulletin
July 20, 2023 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
2022
August 26, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 22, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 11, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
August 10, 2022 – Harvest Notice
August 10, 2022 – Chinook and Sockeye License
August 6, 2022 – Chinook License
August 6, 2022 – Sox and Chin License
August 4, 2022 – Harvest Notice
August 3, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
July 29, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
July 29, 2022 – Temporary Sockeye Closure Notice
July 22, 2022 – TNG Fisheries Bulletin
July 15, 2022 – Jâs (Chinook) Harvest Notice
2021
September 8, 2021
August 26, 2021
August 19, 2021
August 11, 2021
August 4, 2021
July 28, 2021
July 21, 2021
July 2021 – Pre Season
July 20, 2020
July 27, 2020
August 30, 2020
September 6, 2020

About

The Fisheries Department is in a co-management setting with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) under an Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) agreement. Under this agreement, a work plan is followed that both DFO and the Tŝilhqot’in National Government Chiefs have negotiated. All work plans within the agreement are under the direction of the Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs, with no work being initiated without the consent of the Chiefs.

The Fishery Program runs throughout the year, with most field projects running in conjunction with the annual salmon run. There are, on average, seven projects throughout the year, employing approximately thirty individuals.

With Tŝilhqot’in members using the rivers more in the summer the Fisheries Department utilizes this season as an opportunity to hear concerns surrounding fisheries and make changes or adjustments where needed. One of our main objectives is to keep the Chilcotin salmon run healthy while rebuilding Fraser River stocks. The Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) has more information on the Upper Fraser Fisheries stocks.

The objective of the Fisheries Department is to work alongside DFO regarding harvesting, monitoring, conserving, and protecting the salmon stocks passing through the Tŝilhqot’in territory. The fisheries department also keeps order and control during the salmon harvesting season to ensure safety.

Dipnetting at Gwetsilh (Siwash) on Tŝilhqox (Chilko River)