The Fraser River is the largest salmon producing watershed in British Columbia and host to one of the most diverse and productive salmon fisheries in the world. Located on the eastern shore of the Pacific Basin and mid-point in the hemisphere’s productive salmon region, Fraser salmon enjoy the relative high freshwater productivity of the continents Rocky Mountain Range with easy access to the richly productive northern Pacific gyre.

Pre-contact salmon fishing on the Fraser River created entire societies. Wars were fought and economies were won and lost over the abundance. But, it was the fur trade that brought contact, and the North West Company and Hudson Bay company brought alternative forms of trade and commerce in fur then gold. However, it was a 1914 rockslide in the Fraser Canyon, triggered by construction of the Canadian National Railway to unify Canada, that brought international attention to the River. The debris created a velocity barrier that obstructed the passage of Pacific salmon. Salmon populations in the most productive regions of the upper Fraser were badly depleted (some never recovered) and the Federal Government imposed new fishing restrictions on natives.

It was not until the International Pacific Salmon Commission was formed by Canada and US to address common interests in the fishery, that construction of fishways at Hells gate was undertaken and finally completed in 1944. Hells Gate is a world renowned tourist attraction, but ironically it was the Hells Gate disaster that changed the economy of the river forever and nearly destroyed the salmon fishery.

To advance inland economic salmon fishing that embraces the values of First Nations
fishing communities and commits to sustainable fishing practices, providing a forum
for branding collaboration and certification in order to reflect the broad range of products and qualities that celebrates this river’s wild and diverse salmon fisheries.

The fishing traditions of Fraser First Nations are diverse and rich in cultural learnings. To better understand them and to give them meaning it is important to look to the specific local First Nation practices. However, here is a short-list of Fraser River First Nations traditions and learnings that are shared widely:

• The First Salmon Ceremony is a celebration of the returning salmon. To honor the arrival of the first salmon shows respect to the returning salmon in hope that they will continue to come home. The first salmon harvested is typically shared with the entire community
• Every salmon population is sacred – where local salmon fisheries are healthy, you will also find healthy local salmon ecosystems. It is the survival of many contributing salmon populations that will ensure the health and survival of the salmon and people
• To waste a salmon is to show disrespect – consuming all of the fish is one way to respect that the salmon has given itself to you so that you might live, while you enjoy all of the vitamin-rich nutrients. In some communities the bones and uneaten cartilage are returned to the water as a sign of respect
• One does not necessarily need to see into the water to know when the salmon have arrived. For people that have lived with the salmon for generations beyond modern memory, there are other ecosystem cues that herald their arrival – the ripening of salmon berries, the arrival of wasps, the singing of certain birds and frogs may be the signal of arriving fish
• Drying salmon is best when you choose the right salmon species and stock. Early Stuart sockeye is prized for wind drying on racks along the Fraser canyon walls or in screened enclosures, timed perfectly to coincide with the arrival of the hot summer winds. Filleted skin-on, often with the tail intact for easy hanging, the meat is sliced through to the skin in a series of even vertical cuts to provide uniform exposure to the wind. Sometimes lightly salted, some use a smoky fire to ward off the wasps and flies and add flavour. Dried salmon is light to carry, will last indefinitely if kept dry, and is packed with nutrients

The presence of available TAC (Total Allowable Catch) for Fraser Select salmon fisheries is identified when and where the target harvest is available. Localized plans reflect where by-catch of non-target fish can be minimized and how to strategically target the abundant stocks. In-season stock assessment data to make these decisions in-river is improving, however these “small bite” fisheries must mobilize with short notice and often at a significant amount financial and environmental risk if not carefully managed. Therefor the fishery plan must be based in good stock assessment information, and that there is a system in place to ensure that the escapement, FSC and other fishing interests can be properly addressed both locally and around the watershed.

Local Salmon Conservation Issues

Modern salmon fishery managers understand that they need to take into account the different productivities of each species and stock of Fraser salmon. Pink salmon are found as far upstream as Quesnel and considered part of one large Conservation Unit. Chum salmon, present only below the Fraser Canyon are represented by two distinct spawning populations, one near the Canyon and another is spread widely throughout the lower Fraser River and its tributaries. Chinook salmon exhibit a wide variety of sizes, flesh colors, timing and life histories. This makes them a challenge to manage, complicated even more by the high rate of interception along the west coast when they mix with fisheries targeting enhanced Columbia River chinook. The great diversity of Fraser River sockeye populations are generally represented by four management groups – early Stuart (the first to arrive in the Fraser River in July), Early Summer, Summer and Late Sockeye. Most of these are comprised of a dozen or more distinct local populations.

Due to the complexity of Fraser salmon populations, the Canadian and US Governments spend $ millions every year to forecast returns and risk-manage marine approach fisheries. Inland salmon managers espouse a more precautionary approach, preferring to see at least half of the fishery to be harvested in-river where the strength and origin of the catch is known. The goal is to ensure that marine mixed stock fisheries, where the strong stocks cannot be differentiated from the weak, leave sufficient abundance untouched so that river fisheries behind them are able to ensure adequate escapements to each local population, while protecting local subsistence fisheries, and managing for an ecologically sustainable selective fishery on strong stocks.

For further information on selective fishing – see our educational video https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=9oppqDKduUA

While fishing tools vary with water conditions and species, dip-net fishing is considered by many the fishing tool of choice. This traditional fishing technique is popular in the river canyons, and wherever they are seen to congregate they are considered a harbinger of the arriving salmon. The Coyote played an important role in the mythology of Fraser First Nations and the fate of the salmon fishery upon which they depended. Our artist was able to fuse the shadow of the dip-net fisherman with that of a coyote, depicting the coyote as a presence, always there with the fishers and the salmon.

Fraser salmon story – myth or prophesy?*

In a time beyond memory it is told that the Indians of the Fraser River became hungry, for the salmon did not return. So the spirit of Coyote was sent to bring the salmon back. He encountered and destroyed a giant weir blocking the river downstream, and led the salmon home to each of the many different spawning tributaries of the Fraser River.

As he ascended the Fraser, the salmon followed him in great schools. He lit fires at each tributary as he progressed, beckoning the river natives to celebrate each returning stock. And, he reacquainted them with their distinctive ways to catch, prepare, and preserve each salmon run as their ancestors had done before them, so that their people and the salmon could survive and prosper.

He asked for nothing, though he implored of the river natives to protect every one of the salmon runs, and to catch, eat and trade salmon as a celebration of their existence, but to always ensure enough escaped to spawn and feed those upstream.

The endurance of ancient harvesting innovations in the Fraser River, often uniquely different between First Nations and salmon runs, are a testimony to ancient cultures and knowledge that have survived with these salmon for thousands of years. These rich cultures embody the holistic knowledge vital to the survival of tomorrow’s fishery, and the wisdom to protect these salmon for time immemorial.

Finally, it was said that in a time too far ahead to see, that the Fraser salmon runs would dwindle once more, and the Coyote would return once again to bring back the salmon. Perhaps then, the distinctive customs, innovations and knowledge will still endure as a reminder of the places the Fraser salmon call home.

*Derived from a traditional Secwepemc story “Coyote Breaks the Dam” courtesy Secwepemc Fisheries Commission

More on the Fraser River http://www.chrs.ca/Rivers/Fraser/Fraser-F_e.php#

Traditional dip-net fishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prnb-nyoT6g 

Salmon Confidential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbxOFcvC4U&ebc=ANyPxKodVjVUXI62ccHnst5JrK0FoMSmTsj8fJLir97siPHC5FbNQjKtvif0-tUMLulUuR3NcBpR9zN0oWMVLpbt84kAcPmlLw