Indigenous fisheries at centre of Miramichi River restoration efforts

In New Brunswick, Canada, the management of the Miramichi watershed is entering a critical phase as First Nations communities exercise their fishing rights to help restore ecological balance. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Ottawa has recognised the vital role of First Nations in managing local aquatic life, specifically regarding the surging population of striped bass which many believe is impacting the iconic Atlantic salmon. According to reporting by CBC News on 18 October 2026, the federal government has significantly increased the allowable catch for First Nations fisheries to address the population shift. In 2018, Ottawa approved a First Nations striped bass fishery with a quota of 50,000, a figure that was increased to an allowable catch of 175,000 six years later. This move empowers local Indigenous communities to play a lead role in the commercial harvesting of the species. The initiative comes as the Miramichi region faces a significant environmental challenge. While the striped bass population has grown to over 500,000, Atlantic salmon returns were recorded below 5,000 in 2025. The involvement of First Nations in the commercial fishery is seen as a key mechanism for managing these numbers while supporting the economic and cultural health of the Indigenous communities along the river. While some recreational anglers have filed legal challenges seeking even further population controls, the existing First Nations fishery remains a cornerstone of the current management strategy. The DFO’s recognition of Indigenous fishing quotas highlights a collaborative approach to conservation, aiming to preserve the Miramichi’s identity as a premier destination for wild Atlantic salmon while respecting the commercial rights and traditional knowledge of First Nations people.