Fishery Notice

As outlined in the 2025/26 Groundfish IFMP, DFO is working with Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA) signatory First Nations to collaboratively design and implement pilot groundfish Community Based Fisheries (CBFs) commercially targeting Pacific Halibut for the 2025 fishing season. 

FRRA Information is available at the following public site: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reconciliation/docs/frra-arrh-eng.html

CBFs are collaboratively-managed (by DFO and First Nations) sale fisheries that are designed to enable enhanced community participation by supporting First Nations to fish existing commercial fishing access. CBFs have a defined area and are characterized by a set of mutually agreed management measures that are distinct from the commercial fishery and guided by the overarching principles of conservation and sustainable fisheries, reconciliation, and clear and predictable management.

The Haida and Kitasoo Xai'xais? First Nations' 2025 Pilot Groundfish CBF includes the ability to split commercial access over multiple vessels; licence issuance via the National Special Licencing System; use of alternate monitoring technologies, standards and service provider; and a modified catch auditing procedure. These flexibilities are designed to align with community priorities such as efficiency, safety, proximity to fishing grounds, vessel scale, and cultural harvest practices. While these arrangements deviate from the standard commercial conditions, they are expected to achieve equivalent monitoring and reporting objectives to support management and conservation objectives for the fishery. 

The Haida Nation has further requested the ability for fishers to fish the groundfish CBF concurrently with their pre-approved (via the 2025 Salmon IFMP) salmon troll CBF. The salmon troll CBF is scheduled to open with the Area F Troll Chinook AABM fishery on August 16.

The Haida and Kitasoo Xai'xais? First Nations' 2025 Pilot Groundfish Community-Based Fishery Management Plan (CBFMP) outlines the fishing opportunities for the Nations including access, licensing and designations, fishing area, management measures, and fishery monitoring and catch reporting requirements. Copies of the CBFMPs or further information is available upon request. Public comments may be forwarded to Peter.Katinic@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Laina Bell
Council of Haida Nation Community-Based Fishery Manager
Email: FRRA@haidanation.com
Phone: 250-626-7507 

Ken Cripps
Kitasoo Xai'Xais Director of Marine Programs 	  
Email: KenCripps@kxsa.ca
Phone: 778-268-3574  

Peter Katinic
Senior Reconciliation Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Email: Peter.Katinic@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Phone: 250-407-2500

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0694
Sent July 22, 2025 at 1151

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 18, 2026 at 0426