Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study Volume 3: Focal Species Summary Prepared for: Council of the Haida Nation by: Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study Participants, Janet Winbourne, and Haida Oceans Technical Team, Haida Fisheries Program August 18, 2011 Haida Marine Traditional Knowledge Study Participants Massett Skidegate Wesley Bell Diane Brown Oliver Bell Judson Brown John Bennett Conrad Collinson Robert Bennett Dempsey Collinson Robin Brown Willie Davies Stephen Brown Ernie Gladstone Vince Collison Tommy Greene Ernest Davis Tom Hans Robert (Tubby) Davis Herb Jones BJ Dudoward Roy Jones Sr. Dean & Madeline Edgars David Martynuik Margaret Edgars Roberta Olson Timmy Edgars Paul Pearson Henry Hageman Vince Pearson Francis Ingram Wally Pelton Claude Jones Jack Pollard Kelly Jones Wally Pollard Reynold and June Russ Norman Price Willie Russ Jr. Ed Russ Edgar Sills Frank Russ Monte Stewart-Burton Gary Russ Mary Swanson Gladys Vandal Judy Williams Harvey Williams Martin Williams Percy Williams Rolly Williams Bert Wilson Vern Williams Sr. Ernie Wilson Richard Wilson (Captain Gold) Lonnie Young Companion Reports: Volume 1: Methods and Results Summary Volume 2: Seascape Unit Summary Front cover photos (clockwise from top left): Abalone – Bart DeFreitas; Interview participant Diane Brown – Judson Brown; Ancient murrelet – Ian Jones; Salted k’aaw – Lynn Lee; Haana Edenshaw harvesting edible seaweed – Jaalen Edenshaw; China rockfish – Lynn Lee; h Interview participants Reynold and June Russ – Russ Jones. Back cover: Sunset off Skedans – Lynn Lee. All other photos Haida Oceans Technical Team unless noted. Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................... ii List of Figures ..................................................................................... v Introduction .......................................................................................1 LIMITATIONS................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Northern Abalone..........................................................................3 HAIDA HARVEST, USE AND STEWARDSHIP OF ABALONE ....................................................................................................... 3 ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Abundance and Population Trends ..................................................................................................................... 7 ABALONE DISTRIBUTION AND HARVESTING AREAS BY SEASCAPE UNIT .................................................................................... 8 Dixon Entrance .................................................................................................................................................. 10 Hecate North ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 Gwaii Haanas..................................................................................................................................................... 12 West Coast ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Skidegate Inlet ................................................................................................................................................... 17 MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND SUGGESTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 17 Cultural Value and Statements of Loss ............................................................................................................. 17 Past Commercial Harvests................................................................................................................................. 17 Poaching ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 Pollution and Habitat Destruction .................................................................................................................... 19 Areas to Protect ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Recommendations for Further Research .......................................................................................................... 20 2. Clams and Cockles ....................................................................... 21 HAIDA HARVEST, USE AND STEWARDSHIP OF CLAMS AND COCKLES ..................................................................................... 22 Butter Clams, Littleneck Clams and Cockles ..................................................................................................... 23 Razor Clams ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 Stewardship Practices ....................................................................................................................................... 24 ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 25 Species and Habitat Associations...................................................................................................................... 25 Abundance and Populations Trends ................................................................................................................. 26 CLAM AND COCKLE DISTRIBUTION AND HARVESTING AREAS BY SEASCAPE UNIT ..................................................................... 27 Dixon Entrance and Masset Inlet ...................................................................................................................... 27 Dixon Entrance East: North Beach Razor Clam Fishery ......................................................................................................... 27 Wash-up ................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Masset Inlet .............................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Dixon Entrance West ............................................................................................................................................................... 30 West Coast ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND SUGGESTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 38 Competitive and/or Recreational Fisheries ...................................................................................................... 38 Pollution and Habitat Destruction .................................................................................................................... 38 Areas to Protect ................................................................................................................................................. 40 18 August 2011. Volume 3. ii 3. Herring ....................................................................................... 41 HAIDA HARVEST, USE AND STEWARDSHIP OF HERRING ...................................................................................................... 42 K’aaw or Spawn-on-Kelp Fisheries .................................................................................................................... 43 Early Trade and Sale of K’aaw ................................................................................................................................................ 44 Ponding and SOK Operations .................................................................................................................................................. 45 Traditional Herring Fisheries ............................................................................................................................. 48 Bait Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................................................ 48 Food and Oil ............................................................................................................................................................................. 49 Industrial Herring Fisheries ............................................................................................................................... 49 Bait Ponds ................................................................................................................................................................................. 49 Roe Herring..............................................................................................................................................................................