SkeenaWild Conservation Trust

SkeenaWild Conservation Trust We Are Salmon People
ᨒ A community defending wild salmon through collaboration & hope.

Backed by science & research.
𖡡 Skeena & beyond
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞
Join us at www.skeenawild.org SkeenaWild Conservation Trust is a regional initiative working to make the Skeena watershed a global model of ecological and economic sustainability. The Skeena watershed in northwest British Columbia is one of the last remaining large, intact wild salmon ecosystems in the world that is also inhabited by a large hu

man population. For millennia, First Nations people successfully co-existed with the Skeena Watershed and its resources. Since contact, wild salmon have declined significantly, with fewer benefits flowing to local communities. Skeena wild salmon face a myriad of threats: climate change, over-harvesting of weak stocks and oil and gas development. Yet despite these threats, there remains a solid foundation of diverse salmon populations in the Skeena. Currently, government agencies responsible for wild salmon are under enormous pressure from a wide range of interests. Dissatisfaction exists among First Nations, commercial fishers, commercial angling guides, recreational fishermen and other citizens, all of whom are struggling with declining wild salmon runs. In response to these threatened salmon, SkeenaWild Conservation Trust was formed in 2007 with one goal: to make the Skeena Watershed a global model of ecological and economic sustainability.

Invasive European green crabs have unfortunately been found in the Skeena Estuary.Why does the invasive European green c...
08/27/2026

Invasive European green crabs have unfortunately been found in the Skeena Estuary.

Why does the invasive European green crab matter?

These small but highly adaptable crabs are a threat to Skeena salmon survival as they dig up eelgrass beds. Eelgrass beds are critical nursery and feeding habitat for juvenile Skeena salmon, eulachon, and Dungeness crab. European green crabs also prey on native species such as oysters, muscles, clams and other juvenile crabs.

It is critical that the eelgrass beds of the Skeena estuary are protected from the spread of European Green Crab.

What can you do?

Learn how to identify European green crabs. Adults can reach about 10 cm and have five points on either side of their eyes. Their colour can range from green to red or yellow. More identification details: https://marinedata.psf.ca/knowledge-hubs/aquatic-invasive-species/

If you find a European Green Crab:

· Take a photo
· Record the exact location, ideally with GPS coordinates
· Report the sighting to Fisheries and Oceans Canada at [email protected]
· Put it in a sealed container
· Transport it to a freezer
· Freeze for 72+ hours
· Dispose of it in a compost facility or landfill

Every sighting helps researchers track this invasive species and understand where it is spreading.

08/20/2026

SkeenaWild’s Director of Fisheries, Kait, takes a look at North Coast salmon and steelhead returns, fisheries, and environmental conditions in this update for August 19, 2026.

The information shared in this video is provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Province of British Columbia, Nisga’a Fisheries, Lake Babine Nation Fisheries, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Thank you to the Skeena Knowledge Trust and Pacific Salmon Foundation for visualizations, and to the First Nations fisheries programs in the Skeena and Nass and charter patrol salmon assessment contractors for sharing their knowledge and experiences for us to share.

Tell DFO to stop cutting salmon monitoring funding and gutting environmental safeguards for our salmon: https://skeenawild.org/stop-cutting-and-gutting/

It is important to acknowledge the uncertainty associated with estimating Skeena summer-run steelhead abundance using the Tyee test fishery. It is a very rough estimate which does not evaluate or account for catchability at Tyee and variations with tides and timing, but it is the only tool available at this time.

Additional resources can now be found at: https://skeenawild.org/news-resources/fisheries-resources/

Please check current regulations before going fishing!

08/08/2026

Sockeye are returning to the Skeena, Fraser, and Nass right now — rivers vital to B.C.'s food security and ecosystems. But returns aren't unfolding as forecast, and Canada has already closed commercial fisheries on the Skeena to conserve the rest of the run. But, the Pacific Salmon Treaty allows Alaska's Southeast fleet to keep fishing the same sockeye — with zero restrictions or obligations to report bycatch of non-target species like steelhead or chinook. We can't manage 2026 salmon with a 1980s treaty. 🐟 Join us at 👉 Salmon United Raincoast Conservation Foundation Watershed Watch Salmon Society

This past Monday was our amazing Education Program Manager Marie Blouin’s last day before heading off on maternity leave...
08/08/2026

This past Monday was our amazing Education Program Manager Marie Blouin’s last day before heading off on maternity leave. We’re so excited for her family’s new adventure. Marie has grown our program by leaps and bounds over the past few years, connecting with thousands of youth and families across our watershed. Our program will be slowing down a bit in her absence, but we have exciting new programming planned for her return in 2027. All the best, Marie!

08/06/2026

Why is July 31 important for Skeena sockeye? Watch Kait’s video to find out...

Two more free pop-up events are coming up. No registration required and everyone is welcome!STREAM RESTORATION & NUGGET ...
08/05/2026

Two more free pop-up events are coming up. No registration required and everyone is welcome!

STREAM RESTORATION & NUGGET HUNT
📍 Kleanza Creek Provincial Park
August 7, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Meet at 1 p.m. at the Waterfall Picnic Area
Enjoy games and hands-on activities while exploring local mining history, salmon habitat, and recent stream restoration efforts.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
📍 George Little Park
August 12, Come by anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Celebrate with live performances, a community BBQ, family-friendly activities, and hands-on fun at the SkeenaWild booth.

We hope to see you there!

PLEASE SLOW DOWN IN KITSELAS CANYONThe Kitselas fish wheels are operating in Kitselas Canyon, supporting a selective, su...
07/29/2026

PLEASE SLOW DOWN IN KITSELAS CANYON

The Kitselas fish wheels are operating in Kitselas Canyon, supporting a selective, sustainable approach to harvesting and monitoring Skeena salmon.

Boaters travelling through the canyon are asked to:

⚠️ Slow down and create no wake
⚠️ Stay well clear of the fish wheels, cables and working crews
⚠️ Watch for instructions from fishery personnel
⚠️ Never approach, touch or interfere with fishing equipment

Large wakes can place crews at risk, damage equipment and disrupt fish-handling and monitoring activities. This is an active, authorized fishery, and federal law prohibits vessels from destroying or wantonly damaging lawfully operated fishing gear or its attached equipment.

The fish wheels allow crews to carefully capture fish, collect valuable information and selectively release non-target species or populations of concern. They support food security, local training and Indigenous-led stewardship of Skeena salmon. This program is supported in partnership with SkeenaWild, the Steelhead Society of B.C., and the BC Fly Fishing Federation.

Please help keep everyone safe and allow this important fishery to operate successfully.

Slow down. No wake. Selective fishery at work.

07/27/2026

SkeenaWild’s Director of Fisheries, Kait, takes a look at North Coast salmon and steelhead returns and fisheries in this update for July 24, 2026. Returns are changing quickly this time of year, here are some updated numbers for July 26:

Skeena sockeye: ~1.1 million past the Tyee, with a current run size projection of 2.5 million

Skeena steelhead: ~13,200 past the Tyee

It is important to acknowledge the uncertainty associated with estimating Skeena summer-run steelhead abundance using the Tyee test fishery. It is a very rough estimate which does not evaluate or account for catchability at Tyee and variations with tides and timing, but it is the only tool available at this time.

The information shared in this video is provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Province of British Columbia, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and Nisga’a Fisheries Program.

Additional resources can now be found at: https://skeenawild.org/news-resources/fisheries-resources/

Please check current regulations before going fishing!

Address

Unit 103 4622 Greig Avenue
Terrace, BC
V8G1M9

Telephone

+12506380998

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