Semá:th Territory, Abbotsford, BC, September 23, 2021 – This Friday, 24 September 2021, onwards, Sumas
First Nation is deploying their selective harvesting trap to target salmon in the traditional territory of S’olh
Téméxw which is presently known as the Sumas River in Abbotsford. It is advised that water users in the area take actions to avoid the Sumas First Nation trap, which will be marked with corks and bouys.

The harvest will serve the Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) needs of the Sumas Community, a constitutionally protected right, and collect necessary information on the 2021 status of the Fall terminal salmon run. The selective fishery will target salmon while avoiding stocks of concern such as Cultus Lake sockeye. Due to stocks of concern such as Interior Fraser Coho and Steelhead migrating in the Fraser River currently, and the affects of the Big Bar landslide, the harvesting of salmon on the Sumas River will provide an alternative to Fraser River mainstem fisheries.

Furthermore, 2021 marks the second year of Sumas First Nation implementing its five-year Conservation,
Guardianship, and Harvest Plan. Using a high frequency Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS), like the one used at the Fraser River Mission Hydroacoustic operations, Sumas First Natino technicians are monitoring the abundance and catches of salmon in the Lower Sumas-Vedder watershed.

The ARIS project located on the Vedder Crossing Bridge is operated during key Summer and Fall periods to better understand the impacts of fisheries when adult salmon (Chinook, Sockeye, Pink, Chum and Coho) are migrating upstream, towards spawning grounds. The ARIS operations will enable in season estimation of adult salmon abundance and dispersion by week and species along with capturing activities near and downstream of the sonar. This information can then be shared with First Nations, recreational anglers, the Province of British Columbia and the DFO to build accountability, transparency, trust, and to conserve, protect, and sustain the salmon resource for future generations.

Sumas First Nation contributes to the sustainable development of the inland salmon fishery in the Sumas First Nation territory. Tracking and monitoring stocks in the area to conserve and protect fisheries is guided by the principles and values in:

• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act;
• Semá:th S’olh Temexw Conservation and Harvest Plan;
• Semá:th Declaration;
• Aboriginal rights and title;
• And Inherent laws and obligations.

The Sumas First Nation honours, conserves and protects salmon and non-salmon. The intent isto restore and enhance Indigenous fisheries management and cultural practices within our traditional territory.

“”S’ólh Téméxw te íkw’élò. Xólhmet temekw’ stám ít kwelát. This is our land we must look after everything that belongs to us“. This work not only helps us connect as an Indigenous community, but as well with our neighbouring communities and stakeholders. Sumas First Nation is a robust Indigenous Community located near Abbotsford, BC. Sumas has approximately 350 members and currently resides on a reserve land base of approximately 600 acres.

Let’s Emo:t – One Heart, One Mind

Media Contact:
Ida Dutt
Communications Officer
media@sumasfirstnation.com
604-996-8523