• Who are the Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards?
• Contact us
• Abalone Underwater Video
• Elementary School Program
• Community Outreach
• Abalone Watch Program
• Abalone Research

Naturally shy and reclusive, the abalone is famed worldwide as a culinary delight. Anyone who’s lived along British Columbia’s coastline knows about abalone. Over 25 years ago, you would have said abalone were on most exposed rocky shores on a good low tide. Every once in a while, you might even have collected a few for dinner. Nowadays, you are apt to say it’s very hard to find an abalone, even on the lowest tides. You definitely can’t take any because they are now threatened and it is illegal to fish them.

The Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards are community and conservation organizations, individuals and government agencies striving to ensure the survival of northern abalone around Haida Gwaii. Our common goal is to rebuild local abalone populations to levels that will support sustainable food fisheries. Together, we worked with the Islands communities to develop the Haida Gwaii Northern Abalone Community Action Plan with key elements of stewardship, education and enforcement.

Who are the Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards?

The Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards (HGAbS) are represented by this northern abalone design by Old Massett artist Frank Williams. The design symbolizes the inseparable connection between abalone and people. Abalone is an important traditional food of the Haida and is considered a delicacy in global markets today.

The face inside the shell represents the human form with no distinction between race nor sex. The human lips touch the apex of the spire, a kiss that acknowledges the ancient origin of the animal and its importance as a food source for many creatures, including people. The nurturing kiss also speaks to the responsibility of people to ensure the well-being of abalone – abalone stewardship. Surrounding the abalone are small black dots that represent the broadcast release of either eggs or sperm. When an egg and sperm unite in sea water, they develop into abalone larvae, beginning the next generation in the cycle of life.

The Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards are composed of:

• Council of the Haida Nation ~ Haida Fisheries Program
• Laskeek Bay Conservation Society
• World Wildlife Fund Canada
• Skidegate Band Council
• Old Massett Village Council
• Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve & Haida Heritage Site
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Environment Canada

Thanks to the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk – a program managed cooperatively by Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada – for funding work of the Haida Gwaii Abalone Stewards.

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Contact us

• Massett Haida Fisheries office
  PO Box 87
• Massett, BC V0T 1M0
• Phone • (250) 626-3302
  Fax • (250) 626-3309
• Skidegate Haida Fisheries office
  PO Box 98
• Queen Charlotte, BC V0T 1S0
• Phone • (250) 559-8945
  Fax • (250) 559-8951

If you hear anything about abalone poaching or see suspicious activities, record your observation and report to the confidential Abalone Coast Watch hotline at 1.800.465.4336.

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Abalone Underwater Video

Haida Fisheries Program divers filmed some of their abalone research work and abalone in their natural habitat around Haida Gwaii. Funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program facilitated the creation of this abalone stewardship educational video. This video is being used in our school education program and in public outreach activities and is available to view and download on the Council of the Haida Nation website.

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