Nuxalk Visit: Community Based Fishery projects

In March, representatives from Coastal Nations Fisheries traveled to Nuxalk Territory to provide an update for community members and leaders from the Nuxalk Nation on projects related to Community Based Fisheries (CBF).

The CNF team, which included Guy Dean, CEO, along with CBF reps Tasha Sutcliffe and Holly Denson-Camp, were joined by Sarah Harper and Carie Hoover from Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, as well as Chelsea Doyle from Central Coast Commercial Fisheries Association and Danny O’Farrell from Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, all of whom also provided updates.

The workshops were well attended by active fishers in Nuxalk Territory and also by community members who were interested in learning more about fisheries programs and new opportunities now available across Shareholder Nations.

The workshop sessions were an excellent opportunity for the CNF team to connect with local fishers from the Nuxalk Nation, and included enough time for those in attendance to ask questions and provide feedback.

The community visit to Bella Coola was also well timed. It occurred during the Sputc Ceremony—an important cultural event, held for many generations, to welcome the seasonal arrival of the nutritious ooligan into Nuxalk waters. The oil-rich fish, also known as eulachon, has always been prized for its tasty grease, a long-time delicacy and staple for Nuxalk communities, especially when the species was far more plentiful.