Food Security: Toquaht Fisheries

The Toquaht are the people of Toquaht Bay, Mayne Bay and western Barkley Sound, and are one of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations who have lived along Vancouver Island’s west coast for over 10,000 years. In the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, the right to harvest fish, aquatic plants, wildlife and migratory birds within all Maa-nulth territories identified in the treaty is recognized. The Toquaht people have sustained themselves for thousands of years by hunting, fishing and gathering from the abundant resources of their territory.

Toquaht Nation provides domestic fish distributions to all Toquaht citizens as a way to meet citizens’ food fish requirements, and while the size of allocation depends on the volume of catch, 20% of all domestic fish is held for community use and celebrations. Toquaht fishers harvest herring, halibut, groundfish, dungeness crab, prawns, sockeye, chinook, coho and chum salmon.

Fish populations are integral to family structures, gatherings and practices of giving, and other social and cultural events. Food impacts all aspects of daily life and isn’t not only about feeling full and satisfied, but also about feeling connected to community and having a sense of belonging. As marine peoples, the careful management of marine populations ensures that future generations will have safe, consistent, and reliable access to these nutritious food sources.