An unexpected increase in sockeye salmon migration has the commercial fishery in Fort Babine hosting a surprise opening.
Talok Fisheries operation manager Desiree Loyie says that, while low numbers prevented them from opening earlier, the recent surge is much larger than expected and has them feeling very optimistic.
Talok Fisheries is the Lake Babine Nation’s community-owned fishing company.
Loyie says that while it’s not a huge run historically, it’s much larger than expected. She says when the fisheries open, Talok can employ between 15 and 75 jobs to members.
More importantly, she says it connects them to their roots of harvesting salmon for thousands of years before the government banned the traditional fishery in 1906.
The commercial fishery opens Friday in Fort Babine, with a later opening in Tachet.
Public sales begin at noon at Ts’etselzi (Babine Counting Fence) and later in the month at Tachet near Granisle.
