Economic Research Report
Renewable Value Minimal Impact
The Economic Value of Skeena River Steelhead
Analyzing the economic contribution of recreational steelhead angling in the Skeena watershed in 2023 and 2024, and the pressures that threaten the sustainability of this high-value fishery
A Renewable Economic Driver for Northern British Columbia
The Skeena River watershed is home to the most productive wild steelhead fishery in the world, drawing anglers from across the globe to local communities in the North Coast-Nechako region. The recreational fishery functions as a renewable resource, generating jobs, income, and economic activity year after year without depleting the underlying stock.
A Renewable Economic Driver for Northern British Columbia
The Skeena River watershed is home to the most productive wild steelhead fishery in the world, drawing anglers from across the globe to local communities in the North Coast-Nechako region. The recreational fishery functions as a renewable resource, generating jobs, income, and economic activity year after year without depleting the underlying stock.
The Economic Contribution in the North Coast-Nechako Region
Skeena steelhead angling is a major economic driver in Northern British Columbia, supporting economic activity and jobs in local communities. Guided angling in the Upper Skeena watershed forms the core of the fishery, accounting for over 60% of total economic contributions in the North Coast–Nechako region.
Regionally Concentrated Contributions
Between 70% and 80% of provincial economic activity stays in the North Coast–Nechako region. Across BC, steelhead angling in the Skeena watershed contributes approximately $33 million in gross output, $16 million in GDP, and $11 million in income, and supported 291 FTEs.
High Economic Return, Minimal Biological Impact
The Skeena steelhead fishery is exclusively catch-and-release. Anglers pursue, hook, and release fish, generating substantial economic activity while returning nearly all steelhead to continue their migration and spawn. While incidental mortalities occur, the fishery exhibits an exceptionally high ratio of economic contribution to biological cost compared to other activities affecting steelhead.
Economic Contribution per Steelhead Mortality in the Region
Assuming a standard 3.5% catch-and-release mortality rate, guided angling in the Skeena results in fewer than 200 steelhead mortalities. On average, each steelhead mortality corresponds to one local full-time job.
These per-fish metrics represent average economic activity associated with angling effort rather than an implicit “price” per fish, and serve as a benchmark for comparing economic and biological trade-offs across activities that affect steelhead populations.
In the Upper Skeena, where destination lodges command premium rates, per-steelhead economic contributions are approximately 20% higher than watershed-wide averages.
Economic Contribution per Steelhead Caught and Released in the Region
Every single Skeena steelhead caught and released by guided anglers is associated with approximately $3,500 in gross output, $1,900 in GDP, and $1,300 in regional income. On average, 27 steelhead caught and released correspond to one local full-time job.
Protecting a Renewable Resource
The economic value of the Skeena steelhead fishery depends on fish returning to the watershed. External pressures, including commercial bycatch in ocean fisheries and competition from hatchery-augmented pink salmon, reduce steelhead runs before they reach the watershed. These pressures threaten both the biological sustainability of Skeena steelhead stocks and the regional jobs that depend on it.
Estimated Steelhead Mortalities in Commercial Fisheries Bycatch
Steelhead migrating home to the Skeena pass through commercial salmon fisheries in southeast Alaska and Canadian waters. Although sale is prohibited, thousands of Skeena steelhead are caught as bycatch, and most do not survive.
These mortalities are lower-bound estimates, not including unreported drop-outs, delayed mortality, illegal and unreported catch, or interceptions in other fisheries.
Ocean Competition
Steelhead face increasing competition for food in the North Pacific Ocean, partly driven by large-scale hatchery production of pink salmon.Pink salmon abundance follows a strong two-year cycle, with dramatically higher numbers in odd years.
Since 1990, odd-year pink salmon abundance has exceeded even-year abundance by 136 million fish. Skeena steelhead, not known for natural biennial cycles, show the opposite pattern, with 14,500 fewer returns in odd years than in even years.
