ECONOMIC HUB
Supporting Economic Wellbeing
Coastal Nations Fisheries was borne out of the landmark Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA). Signed by the eight shareholder Nations of CNF, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Canada, the FRRA is a comprehensive and unprecedented framework for co-management and co-governance of marine life in the Nations’ territories and restoration of the signatory Nations’ fishing access.
CNF is the economic hub in the FRRA’s implementation and has four core mandates:
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Supporting the Nations in implementing commercial Community Based Fisheries in shareholder Nations;
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Establishing a coast-wide sustainable boat-to-table fishing company: Coastal Nations Commercial Fishing (CNCF);
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Acquiring and distributing fishing assets as requested by CNCF and the CBFs; and
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Working with Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative to drive necessary changes in the fishing industry through regulatory reforms.
FISHERIES RECONCILIATION
Collaboration Leading to Success
The implementation of the FRRA is a great undertaking involving CNF and many other contributors. It is founded upon two pillars: collaborative governance and economic opportunities.
Collaborative Governance falls within the mandate of CNF’s sister organization, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative (CFN). Together with the signatory Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), CFN works towards true reconciliation and a true partnership between the signatory Nations and Canada in fisheries management and stewardship.
While CNF is the economic hub, there are other important entities to make economic reconciliation a reality. The Coastal Nations Fisheries Trust, for instance, holds and manages the funds. Community Based Fisheries teams in each Nation, with support from CFN, CNF and the Nations’ regional Commercial Fishing Enterprises (CFEs), are working to revitalize traditional mercantile community fisheries in shareholder Nations and enable the citizens of those Nations to make a living off fishing in their own home waters while stewarding marine life in a sustainable way for future generations.
Together, these entities work closely to implement the groundbreaking FRRA to ensure future-oriented sustainable fisheries management, healthy abundant fish populations and a thriving fishing industry.
“RECONCILIATION IN ACTION, IN THIS CONTEXT, MEANS RESTORING THE RIGHTS OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FISH FOR A LIVING.”
CHIEF K̓ÁWÁZIⱢ MARILYN SLETT, HEILTSUK FIRST NATION
PRESIDENT OF COASTAL FIRST NATIONS
NATION-LED, NATION-FED
A Thriving Coastal Economy
Revitalizing Community Based Fisheries will promote the ability for the Nations’ fishers to secure long-term, stable livelihoods that support their families—improving overall community and economic wellbeing, and supporting local food security.
The positive benefits of a healthy fisheries sector extend much further than the sector itself. Improved job and wealth creation in fisheries ultimately leads to job creation throughout coastal communities, in service and other related industries.
A thriving Nation-based fisheries sector means more people will be able to stay and work on their homelands and waters. The incomes they generate will support their families but will also support the wider community through re-investment of profits and long-term wealth generation. This is true not just for Indigenous communities but for all communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood and the economy of their coastal homes.
