Photo and Project Gallery

Stewarding Our Marine and Freshwater Resources

A-Tlegay Fisheries Society carries out a wide range of science-based and culturally grounded monitoring programs throughout member Nations’ territories. From crab and clam surveys to youth education and salmon stock assessment, each initiative strengthens our understanding of local ecosystems and supports informed, sustainable fisheries management for current and future generations.

Crab Surveys

Since 2012, A-Tlegay Fisheries Society has conducted Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) trap surveys within the traditional territories of the Member Nations.  These surveys focus on two previously identified sites; Topaze Harbour and Phillips Arm. Sites were selected based on the interests of member nations, accessibility, traditional and commercial usage.  The objective of the surveys is to provide an index of relative abundance of sex and size, information about moulting patterns, injury rates, upcoming recruitment, long-term population trends and fishing effort. This information will be used to inform the Nations on management of FSC, commercial and recreational fisheries for this important species within the territories.

Two people on a boat lower a round crab trap with a rope into calm, dark water. One person wears blue gloves and a cap, while the other looks down at the trap from the edge of the boat.
A person wearing gloves and a cap pulls a green rope from a spool on a boat; blue bins and a bucket of green rope are nearby on the deck.
A person on a boat wearing blue gloves examines a round crab trap filled with crabs, with blue bins on the deck, and two boat engines visible at the rear over calm water.
A man in waterproof overalls and gloves holds a crab with orange eggs on its underside, standing on a boat with another person visible and a forested shoreline in the background.
A person in an orange rain jacket and blue gloves holds a crab on a boat, with a forested mountain and cloudy sky in the background.
Two people wearing waterproof jackets and blue gloves are examining a crab with tools on a boat, with a forested shoreline and water visible in the background.
A person in a hooded jacket and blue gloves holds a crab on a boat, with forested hills and calm water in the background.
Two people in rain jackets sit in a small boat on a lake with forested hills and a cloudy sky in the background. One wears an orange jacket, and the other a green one; both are smiling.

Clam Surveys

These studies are conducted to monitor and quantify important clam beaches within member nations' territories. Surveys provide estimates of the density and biomass of intertidal clam populations at each site. Ongoing studies are important to inform management of this traditional resource.

A motorboat floats on a clear, calm lake surrounded by forested mountains under a blue sky with wispy clouds. Another boat and dense trees are visible along the shoreline.
A close-up view of a muddy ground covered with broken shells and small rocks, with a measuring tape laid across the bottom portion of the image.
A person stands bent over with a metal detector on a rocky, wet shoreline during low tide under a cloudy sky, with tree-covered islands and calm water in the background.
A man in a cap and hoodie stands on a rocky shoreline, pointing towards people and a boat in the distance, with dense forest and hills in the background. Blue markers are scattered on the ground.
A man sits at an outdoor table covered with scientific equipment, papers, and photos of shells. He wears a red cap and jacket, smiles, and holds up a small object, possibly a sample, on a rocky, sandy shoreline.
Three people walk across a rocky, seaweed-covered shoreline at low tide, surrounded by forested trees and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Four men sit at a table outdoors on a rocky shore, working with equipment, taking notes, and examining a netted bag of shellfish. Various cases and notebooks are spread out on the table.
A rocky shoreline curves along the edge of a body of green-tinted water, with dense, tall evergreen trees filling the background under a clear sky.
Several garden forks are stuck upright in dry, rocky ground under a bright, partly cloudy sky, with distant mountains visible on the horizon and a few people far in the background.
Close-up of a sandy beach with various seashells, small rocks, and pieces of coral scattered on the ground, including a prominent ridged, oval shell in the center.

Summer Camp

In July, A-Tlegay offers week long summer camp where youth can learn about the modern science our technicians employ as well as traditional knowledge about our territories. The camp will give youth an experience with crab surveys, clam surveys, salmon species identification, river safety, and traditional salmon smoking and preservation techniques.

Four smiling children and a woman pose in front of a stone wall at Quinsam River Salmon Hatchery in Canada, with bilingual signage and a carved salmon bench visible behind them.
Fillets of salmon are strapped to wooden stakes and cooked upright over an open fire outdoors, with dry grass and plastic chairs visible in the background.
Three boys wearing black shirts prepare and fillet bright orange fish on a table outdoors, with wooden sticks and knives. One boy works in the background near a wooden shed, while the others focus on the fish in the foreground.
A person in a black shirt and cap holds a wooden stick with a red object attached, while another person sits in the background working with their hands near a shed and a hockey net outdoors.
Several people work together inside a warehouse, spreading and inspecting large fishing nets on the concrete floor. Shelves, baskets, and fishing equipment are visible in the background.
Three people stand on a boat by a forested shoreline. The person in the center holds a large crab and smiles, while the other two look at the crab or at each other. Crabs and blue containers are also visible on the boat.
Two teenagers repair a fishing net together while an older man watches them in a cluttered workshop filled with equipment and supplies.
A group of people, some in blue shirts, gather around a table with fish on it inside a workshop or warehouse filled with ropes and equipment. One person appears to be explaining or demonstrating something.
Three girls stand on a rocky, seaweed-covered shore. One girl bends down holding a small shovel and orange bucket, while another girl holds a long stick. A house and trees are visible in the background.
A group of nine teenagers wearing matching bright green t-shirts stand smiling in a row outside a building with a large window. One person holds up an extra shirt.

ESSR

Salmon fisheries are managed with the objective of escapement targets or harvesting a certain portion of the run. Uncertain forecasts, inaccurate in-season run size estimates and mixed-stock concerns can result in escapement to terminal areas that are in excess of their required habitat or hatchery spawning capacity. In these cases, Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) fisheries may occur. A-Tlegay provides staff to conduct the ESSR fishery.

Two people in hooded raincoats, one red and one dark blue, are working outdoors on a raised metal walkway with handrails, surrounded by green trees. It appears to be raining.
A woman in waders stands in a large outdoor fish tank while a man in a vest and tracksuit helps lift a metal grate; fish hatchery equipment and trees are visible in the background.
Close-up underwater view of a salmon swimming, with its mouth slightly open and body shimmering in the dim light. Other fish are partially visible in the background.
Four people in rain gear work on a fish processing platform on a boat, handling fish and equipment. They are surrounded by water and dense green forest with low clouds in the background.

Fisheries Monitoring

Our technicians provide catch monitoring of our Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) and Commercial Fisheries.

A white fishing boat with nets in the water is anchored near a small green boat, with people working on both, surrounded by calm water and dense evergreen forest in the background.
A fishing boat named "Western Lady" is on the water near a forested shoreline, with crew members working and a fishing net trailing behind the vessel. The scene is surrounded by calm blue water and distant mountains.
Four people stand on a fishing boat deck covered with fish. Nets filled with more fish are in the background. One man in a black jacket stands in the center, looking at the camera. The scene is near the water.
Several fishermen on a boat haul in a large net basket full of fish from the ocean, surrounded by equipment and buoys, wearing waterproof gear in rainy conditions.
A group of people on a fishing boat pull in a large net filled with fish from the ocean, surrounded by ropes and fishing equipment under bright sunlight.
A large net full of fish is being lifted by a crane on a fishing boat. Several workers in safety gear stand nearby, with fishing equipment and the ocean visible in the background.
Three people on a fishing boat sort freshly caught fish. Fish fill a holding area and a metal bin, with nets and yellow buoys visible. The boat is on the water and fishing equipment surrounds the workers.

Stream Surveys and Stock Assessment

As part of our AFS Agreement, our technicians conduct surveys on a number of streams and rivers within the territories in addition to operations of the fish counting fence and Black Creek.

A man in waders and a blue cap holds a long-handled net near a metal structure by a river, surrounded by green trees and foliage.
A man wearing fishing gear stands in a rocky stream holding a large, colorful fish with both hands. Trees and cloudy sky are visible in the background.
A person in outdoor gear stands near the edge of a river surrounded by lush green trees and mountains under a cloudy sky. The landscape is tranquil and scenic.
An older person uses a net to scoop fish from a metal tank at an outdoor fish hatchery. In the foreground, there is a small control panel with colorful buttons. Sunlight filters through above.
A person walks through tall green grass by a river, surrounded by dense evergreen forest and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Working Together for Healthy Future Generations

Across all programs, A-Tlegay Fisheries Society combines traditional knowledge, scientific research, and community involvement to care for the lands and waters that sustain us. These ongoing efforts ensure that fisheries remain healthy, resilient, and available for generations to come.