Tina Halvorsen: Protecting Salmon,Waters and Resources
For 17 years, Tina Halvorsen has served as the Uchucklesaht Tribe Fisheries Technician, reaching this milestone on June 1, 2026. Her work supports fisheries and habitat monitoring, biological sample collection, catch and escapement information, and the in-season data needed to help guide fisheries management decisions for salmon returning to Uchucklesaht territory.
A central part of Tina’s role is the annual installation, operation and maintenance of the Hucuktlis River fish fence. The fence is located in the Hucuktlis River and is used to monitor returning sockeye salmon during the fishing season. Fish fence operations help provide in-season estimates of escapement, showing how many salmon are moving upstream toward their spawning areas.
The escapement information gathered through the Hucuktlis River fish fence is shared with Fisheries and Oceans Canada stock assessment and management staff during the fishing season. This information is important because smaller salmon stocks, such as Hucuktlis sockeye, can be intercepted in fisheries targeting larger populations such as the Somass sockeye. Reliable in-season information helps managers understand how the smaller stock is returning and supports decisions that protect vulnerable salmon populations.
Tina comes from the Robinson and Rush families within the Nation and has lived her whole life in the Village of Ehthateese. Within her family, her mother holds the cultural role of Beach Keeper, a role that will one day be passed down to Tina. Caring for the fisheries, waters and resources of Uchucklesaht territory is deeply important to her, and she brings a strong passion for protecting these places for future generations.
In addition to her work as Fisheries Technician, Tina is also a captain with Action Packed Charters and a master cedar weaver within the Nation. Her many roles reflect her connection to the territory, her commitment to community, and her dedication to keeping cultural knowledge and natural resources strong.
Story contributed by Carla Halvorsen, Director of Operations at UTG
Edited by Rippon Madtha
