PRPA Dedicates $429,000 to Salmon Conservation Projects in Skeena River Watershed

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 7, 2026

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has provided more than $429,000 to two salmon-focused conservation projects that are being led and managed by the Lax Kw’alaams Band.

The completion of these projects directly supports sustainable fisheries management through protecting spawning habitat, reducing bycatch, supporting successful salmon reproduction, and greatly reducing salmon mortality.

Through its Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program, PRPA contributed $317,487 to the design and construction of a pound net in the Skeena River developed to minimize the impacts of fishing on marine ecosystems.

With an additional $112,361 in support from PRPA, Lax Kw’alaams Business Development LP is collaborating with Ocean AID on the Automatic Salmon Monitoring in the Skeena River Project, leveraging AI-powered tracking to provide 24/7 monitoring and accurate counts of all five wild salmon species in real-time.

“Partnering once again with the Prince Rupert Port Authority advances our efforts to grow sustainable fisheries, revitalize Indigenous fishing practices, and provide a scientific platform for research and future collaboration,” said Frank DeBartolo, CEO, Lax Kw’alaams Business Development Limited.

“The health and sustainability of wild salmon stocks throughout the Skeena River watershed is extremely important here on the North Coast of B.C.,” said Kurt Slocombe, President & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We are proud to partner with Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries on this project, enabling and improving all conservation efforts, which in turn will benefit coastal First Nations and our region as a whole.”

Funding for both projects is provided through the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program. Since its inception in 2019, this program has contributed more than $867,875 to salmon conservation initiatives throughout the Skeena River corridor.

About the Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program:

The Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program was established by the Prince Rupert Port Authority in 2019 with a $1 million commitment from its Community Investment Fund. The program supports projects that strengthen salmon populations and protect and restore critical habitat throughout the Skeena River watershed.

Previous initiatives supported by the fund include:

• Multi-Year Juvenile Salmon Habitat and Eulachon Inventory Study
• Mission Creek Fish Fence Rebuild Project
• Toboggan Creek Hatchery Modernization Project
• Skeena Sockeye Century Project
• Skeena River Estuary Dissolved Organic Carbon Study
• Gitanyow Lake Sockeye Salmon Assessment
• Kitwanga River Chum Salmon Enhancement Study
• Kispiox River Watersheds Temperature Monitoring Initiative
• Lower Skeena River Pound Net Feasibility Study and Construction Project