Early sockeye salmon counts in Johnstone Strait are raising hopes for a strong run this season. On July 31, the test fishery recorded a staggering 14,550 sockeye—the highest single-day total for July since monitoring began.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has tallied over 700,000 early sockeye so far, far surpassing the pre-season forecast of 160,000. While the exact cause remains unclear, DFO spokesperson Leri Davies credited collaborative conservation efforts by First Nations and government agencies.

This resurgence comes six years after a devastating landslide blocked access to key spawning grounds. Davies said commercial and recreational fisheries may reopen later this season, but for now, First Nations fisheries remain the priority under conservation protocols.

On August 1, ʼNa̱mǥis Nation fishers joined others for a four-day food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) fishery. A second FSC window opened August 6 and runs through August 9. The ʼNa̱mǥis have been allocated a 5,000-sockeye quota, which hereditary chief and retired fisherman Don Svanvik said could mean about a dozen fish per household if the full quota is caught.

Svanvik reflected on the scarcity of sockeye in recent years, noting that the ʼNa̱mǥis have only fished for sockeye in four of the past 15 years—2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. “It’s gotten to the point where some people think sockeye only return every four years,” he said. But this year’s run feels different.

He recalled a time when his family would catch 100 to 150 sockeye annually. Known locally as “sliders” for their signature half-circle leaps, sockeye are once again a familiar sight. “Right now, everybody on Johnstone Strait is seeing those fins flash across the water,” he said.

Both Svanvik and Morton believe the closure of Atlantic salmon farms in 2021 off Vancouver Island’s east coast may be playing a role. “This is the first year and last year where we’re starting to see returns of fish that weren’t exposed to salmon farms as juveniles,” Morton explained. “People are wondering—could that be why the numbers are so high?”

Kwakiutl hereditary chief and elected councillor David Knox echoed that the rebound likely has multiple causes. He also warned that salmon face ongoing threats beyond fish farms, including logging, mining, and deep-sea trawling. Knox, who spent five years on trawl boats, emphasized the need for broader protections.

He also voiced frustration over restrictions that prevent Indigenous communities from fishing for economic gain. Knox plans to launch a “pre-confederation” fishery outside DFO regulations, citing rights under the 1851 Fort Rupert Douglas treaties.

Meanwhile, commercial salmon fishing remains closed in Johnstone Strait-area waters on both sides of the Canada–U.S. border.

Due to a temporary equipment issue, the Emergency Department (ED) at Port Hardy Hospital is currently closed. It is expected to reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday, August 4.

All other inpatient services at Port Hardy Hospital remain open and operating as usual.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency during this time, please call 911 or, if possible, go directly to the nearest open emergency department at Port McNeill Hospital. Do not go to the Port Hardy Hospital ED while it is closed, as this may delay access to urgent care. Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services have procedures in place to ensure 911 callers are transported to the appropriate facility.

For non-emergency health concerns, you can speak with a registered nurse at any time by calling HealthLink BC at 811—available 24/7 and toll-free.

First Nations individuals and communities can also access the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day service, available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To book an appointment, call 1-855-344-3800.

Island Health recognizes the inconvenience this temporary closure may cause and sincerely apologizes for the disruption. We appreciate the community’s understanding as we work to restore full services.

A scheduled emergency power outage on Thursday, July 3, temporarily cut electricity to the entire Woss-to-north region—except for Port Alice, which remained powered by a generator. The outage, which lasted from 12 to 5 p.m., was prompted by the discovery of a broken cross arm on a transmission structure just south of Woss. BC Hydro deemed the issue critical and moved quickly to address it.

“We understand the timing was difficult, especially during a busy season for businesses and tourism,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk. “We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding.”

The defect was discovered just a day before the outage. Given the risk of structural failure and potential fire, BC Hydro acted swiftly, notifying the public through social media and the North Island Gazette.

Thanks to fast coordination and response, crews completed repairs ahead of schedule, restoring power by 3:30 p.m.

“Everything went smoothly,” Olynyk said. “Outstanding planning, strong teamwork, and the dedication of our crews—some of whom returned from holidays—made it possible to get the job done early.”

Olynyk also emphasized that many BC Hydro team members live in the island communities they serve and take outages personally.

“They care deeply about their work and their neighbours,” he added. “Hats off to the team for stepping up and helping minimize the disruption.”

Watering restrictions are in effect to ensure sufficient water reserves for firefighting and adequate supply for all residents. Please adhere to the following schedule for outdoor water use:

Even Numbered Addresses
Watering permitted on even numbered dates

Odd Numbered Addresses
Watering permitted on odd numbered dates

Permitted Watering Times
6am to 10am
6pm to 10pm

In the past months there has been significant public concern around the behaviour of a sow grizzly with two cubs and a separate boar that have established a territory in much of the residential area of the Village of Sayward and the SRD Area A. We have compiled a timeline of sightings that can be referenced for communications with media or government agencies. This list will be updated over time. Please email Hello@GoSayward.com or tag @GoSayward on Facebook to catch our attention so we add your future sightings.

 2025

• August 8th – On the boat launch access road
• August 7th – In yards across from the log sort
• July 22nd – In yards along Hemlock Street and Spar Street 10pm to 11pm
• July 7th – At Elk Haven Cabins
• July 6th – Behind the Legion
• June 27th – Seen by the mushroom farm.
• June 27th – Seen in a driveway near Sayward Road and Salmon River Main.
• June 27th – Seen near farm stand on Frenchman Road.
• June 27th – Seen in back yard on Cheryl Lynn Road.
• June 24th – Seen at standing up looking over fenceline of home near Cable House, undisturbed by 4 dogs.
• June 22nd – Seen crossing the White River near the highway bridge.
• June 21st – Seen in a driveway on Smit Road.
• June 20th – Seen in front of a house on Sachts Road.
• June 20th – Encountered on trail by river in the Valley.
• June 19th – Seen walking through front yard of home on Sachts Road.
• June 13th – Juvenile bear charged dogs on a property near Sayward Rd and Salmon River Main intersection.
• June 13th – Seen behind tennis courts by Kelsey Centre.
• June 10th – Seen by Sayward Elementary.
• June 10th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 27th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 21st – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 17th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 15th – Seen in the old mall parking lot.
• May 13th – Seen behind the Salmon River Inn.
• May 13th – Seen by the Royal Canadian Legion.
• May 12th – Seen on Kelly’s Trail.
• May 9th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.

2024

– October 7 – On the mushroom farm.

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has been awarded $360,000 through the 2025 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) grant program—an important step in enhancing emergency preparedness and response across North Island and coastal communities.

The funding will support the acquisition of high-frequency (HF) commercial radio equipment, advanced training, and the hiring of disaster communications technicians. These upgrades will expand the DisasterNet BC network, integrating six additional communities into a secure, provincewide emergency communications system.

“This grant is a testament to strong regional collaboration,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “It will significantly improve our ability to communicate across jurisdictions when it matters most, ensuring communities are more connected and resilient in the face of emergencies and natural disasters.”

DisasterNet BC operates on licensed, interference-protected HF radio frequencies, enabling dependable communication even when cellular and internet networks are unavailable. By expanding access to this system, the SRD and its partners are investing in reliable, community-based tools that enhance rapid response and coordination during crises.

In addition to strengthening the radio network, the grant will fund several key community initiatives:

• Technology Upgrades: Enhancements to virtual meeting infrastructure for the City of Campbell River and the Village of Sayward, as well as a server upgrade for the Village of Gold River’s municipal hall to support effective emergency coordination.

• Emergency Support Staffing: Additional hours for part-time Emergency Program Liaisons in participating villages and First Nations, ensuring emergency plans are regularly updated, tested, and well-understood.

The successful grant application was a collaborative effort between the SRD and its regional partners, including the City of Campbell River, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation, Nuchatlaht First Nation, the Town of Port McNeill, and the Villages of Sayward, Gold River, Tahsis, and Zeballos.

By investing in communications infrastructure and emergency staffing, this initiative directly supports rural, remote, and Indigenous communities that often face heightened challenges in disaster response. The result: faster response times, stronger inter-agency coordination, and greater resilience across the region.