New genomics collaboration to enable First Nations sovereignty over salmon data

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new multi-year, multi-partner collaboration aims to empower First Nations communities in British Columbia with salmon genetic analysis tools, technology, infrastructure and skills for fisheries management.

The project has secured funding for the next three years from the First Nations Fisheries Council’s Indigenous Stewardship Fund, the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Genome British Columbia.

Candace Picco (Senior Biologist, Ha’oom Fisheries Society) and Dr. Ben Sutherland (Vancouver Island University and Sutherland Bioinformatics) will lead the development of open-source tools to decentralize genetic stock identification of salmon. This will remove processing bottlenecks, enabling priority setting and allowing independent data access and management for end users, particularly First Nations organizations.

“The overall impact is simplification: having Nation-led genetic processing capacity based on the Nations’ needs, providing autonomy over research questions and data,” Picco explains.

Salmon genetic stock identification analysis at a coastwide level for western Canada currently relies on a single lab: the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Growing demand for their services has outpaced the lab’s capacity. This is an issue for fisheries managers, who need timely results to make decisions. The delay is worse for remote areas, where shipping adds extra time at every step. The DFO lab is a key partner on the project, helping to ensure that the results generated from the decentralized model are compatible with existing datasets.

A core facilitator in the project is Ha’oom Fisheries Society (HFS). The organization supports the implementation of economic rights-based fisheries and associated capacity building, science and research for five Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island: Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Hesquiaht and Tla-o-qui-aht. The five Nations and HFS have collaboratively identified key science priorities, including data sovereignty, stewardship, conservation and the importance of salmon health to healthy communities.

An open-source analytic data pipeline is in progress for Chinook salmon. Funding from the three partner organizations is expanding this work to coho salmon. It will also allow the team to introduce remote genotyping for real-time results outside of a laboratory setting.

Remote genotyping will be made achievable with a Nanopore sequencer, an analytical tool the size of a small stapler that can be connected to a high-performance computer in any location. The goal is to provide results within 24 to 48 hours of sample collection. This sequencer will remain within ownership of the five Nations.

“The data never have to leave HFS’s hands or computers,” Dr. Sutherland confirms.

“We’re not just bringing in technology, but training communities in how to use it, which can open up access to jobs,” says Picco. “There is already so much interest around the province in the tool. We hope to bring groups together in the future to understand its potential alongside First Nations priorities.”

The two major genetic tools for salmon management include genetic stock identification (GSI) and parentage-based tagging (PBT), used to understand the origins of wild and hatchery fish, respectively. These genetic tools are used to identify salmon at any life stage. They are important in conservation and fisheries management activities, like managing stocks of concern and decision-making for hatcheries and sustainable harvesting. By training First Nations communities and organizations in these processes, the team hopes to create independence, new scientific capacity and increased transparency among groups.

The work has already inspired further initiatives. The team is looking to add genetic processing capacity for First Nations fishery programs across the province with the creation of a First Nations Genetics Network to ensure that the developments are shared with other Nations and fishery organizations.

Pacific salmon are integral to the livelihoods of First Nations Peoples in British Columbia, holding cultural, economic, ecological and spiritual value. This project sees that First Nations self-governance is supported by ownership and self-determination to lead in environmental stewardship and fisheries management.

“Ultimately, knowledge gives you the power of having an informed opinion rather than being confined to a top-down approach,” Picco says.

About the Indigenous Stewardship Fund
The Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) is a charitable organization that works in close partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) to advance Indigenous-led stewardship across British Columbia. FNFC serves as a frontline organization, building relationships with more than 200 First Nations to understand and champion their priorities, interests, and perspectives. ISF complements this work by transforming these priorities into grant programs that support Indigenous-led environmental projects, aligning with Theme 3 of the BC First Nations Fisheries Action Plan: Safeguarding Habitat and Responding to Threats.

About Ha’oom Fisheries Society
The Ha’oom Fisheries Society (HFS) works cooperatively to support and facilitate the participation of the Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Hesquiaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (the “five Nations”) in the implementation of their commercial rights-based fisheries. This includes implementing fisheries for the five Nations based on their inherent and constitutionally-protected Indigenous right to harvest and sell fish; enhancing the capacity and role of the five Nations in the management and sustainability of fisheries, in collaboration with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada where appropriate; supporting and incorporating traditional authority and knowledge of the Nations and leadership in relation to fisheries resources in management of fisheries; supporting the five Nations’ fishing culture and prosperous fishing communities through support for and cultivation of other opportunities related to fishing, harvesting, fisheries habitat and resource maintenance and restoration, managing, monitoring, marketing and/or processing of fisheries resources; and upholding the Nuu-chah-nulth principles of hishuk ish tsa’walk (everything is connected, everything is one) and isaak (respect) in the approach to managing opportunities and fisheries for the five Nations.

About the Pacific Salmon Foundation
The Pacific Salmon Foundation, founded in 1987, is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to making transformational change for the benefit of Pacific salmon at every scale – from the smallest streams to the open ocean. We work with partners to achieve our vision of healthy, sustainable, and naturally diverse populations of Pacific salmon for the benefit of ecosystems and people for generations to come.

About Genome British Columbia
Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, growing a world-class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 600 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.

About Vancouver Island University
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is a public, teaching-focused university on Canada’s West Coast. Since 1936, we have addressed the needs of Vancouver Island with programs that improve lives in coastal BC. Surrounded by natural beauty, VIU’s main campus is in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Our other campuses are in Cowichan and the qathet region (Powell River). We welcome all learners to campus by providing an entry point for people at all stages of education. Education options include robust academic offerings as well as upgrading and trades training. In every VIU program, your professors get to know you and learn about your passions. At VIU you’ll find unique learning and research opportunities that prepare you for the workforce. Learn more at viu.ca.

Contact: 
Genie Tay, Communications Manager, Genome BC  
gtay@genomebc.ca  
604.895.0663  

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/648bc4d9-7a5d-4595-8321-3df1f6772a74

Pit tagging and sampling juvenile Chinook

Pit tagging and sampling juvenile Chinook salmon to test for environmental stressors and track survival over their lifespan. Photo by Mack Bartlett (Ha'oom Fisheries Society and Juanes Lab, University of Victoria).