Sockeye 2026 Registration

July 30, 2026

The ‘Na̱mg̱is Natural Resources Department would like to let members know that the food fish boat will not be going out this weekend.

The situation will be evaluated on Tuesday, August 4th, and another update will be shared at that time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as the Natural Resources Department continues to monitor the situation.

If you have any questions regarding the Food Fish Distribution Program, please contact the Natural Resources Department directly.

August 5, 2026

The ‘Na̱mg̱is Natural Resources Department would like to provide an update on this year’s sockeye.

Sockeye fishing will close tonight at midnight. The number of sockeye returning through Johnstone Strait has been very low compared to the number of pink salmon. As a result, a food fish vessel was not sent out during the most recent opening.

We are still preparing for a sockeye distribution this year and remain hopeful that one will take place. However, at this time, it is unlikely that anything will happen this week.

The Natural Resources Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide another update as soon as more information becomes available.

August 6, 2026

Registration for the 2026 Food Fish Distribution Program will remain open while the ‘Na̱mg̱is Natural Resources Department awaits a confirmed fishing date.

A registration closing date has not yet been set and will be announced once the food fish boat is able to go out.

If you have not yet registered, you can still complete the registration form.

August 11, 2026

Sockeye retention has reopened for the FSC fishery and will remain open until midnight on Friday.

The Nation has contracted two vessels to harvest Sockeye. Distribution details, including the number of fish available and distribution dates, will be confirmed once the vessels are on their way back to Alert Bay.

Registration for the 2026 Food Fish Distribution Program will close today (Tuesday, August 11) at 12:00 p.m. to allow staff time to prepare the pickup list.

An updated FAQ and additional information will be shared.

August 13, 2026 (Morning)

The ‘Na̱mg̱is Natural Resources Department would like to provide an update on this year’s Sockeye Food Fish Distribution Program.

Sockeye distribution is now planned for Friday, August 14.

The exact distribution time will be confirmed later this evening once final details are available.

Fishing has been slow, and based on the current harvest, the Nation is preparing for a household distribution rather than a per-member distribution. At this time, members should expect limited quantities per household. This may change if additional fish become available.

Another update will be shared later today with the confirmed distribution time.

August 13, 2026 (Afternoon)

The Natural Resources Department expects to begin Elder deliveries shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14.

Distribution at the lot beside the ‘Na̱mg̱is Gas Station is expected to begin shortly after 12:30 p.m.

The exact distribution amounts will not be confirmed until the fish have been counted, which may not occur until tomorrow morning.

August 18, 2026

Another boat has been sent out to try to bring in more sockeye. More details will be shared tonight once we hear back about how the fishing went. Distribution is being prepared for August 19–20, depending on how the fishing is going.
Registration is closed and will not re-open for new registration. If you missed the registration deadline, ‘Namgis band members, you are still welcome to come and pick up your fish. However, please note that you must collect it yourself. Because the registration period has now ended, we cannot allow anyone else to pick up on your behalf

August 19, 2026

There will be no sockeye distribution today or tomorrow (August 19–20). When we expect another distribution, we will provide as much notice as possible.

August 20, 2026

There will be no fish distribution this week or over the weekend (August 20–23).

The fishery has been extended until midnight on August 25. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide as much notice as possible if another distribution may take place.

At this time, there are no boats fishing for us through Saturday, so the earliest fish could come into the community would be Monday, August 24. This does not mean a distribution is confirmed for Monday.

There is currently not much fish moving through, but we will continue to monitor the situation and keep members updated.

August 25, 2026

The marine Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) sockeye fishery closed effective midnight on August 24, 2026.

The closure follows a downgrade to the estimated abundance of the Summer run Fraser sockeye. Current abundance estimates are much lower than what was forecast before the season.

At this time, we do not expect the FSC sockeye fishery to reopen for the remainder of 2026.