Community Based Fisheries: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more questions about how to make the most of opportunities in Community Based Fisheries in CNF shareholder Nations?

Read through the FAQs below. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Tasha Sutcliffe, Community Based Fisheries Lead, at tasha@coastnationsfisheries.ca or 604-416-0060.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY BASED FISHERY?

A Community Based Fishery is a distinct communal commercial fishery for Coastal Nations Fisheries (CNF) shareholder Nations’ citizens on small or medium sized boats within the territories of the Nations. This includes vessels less than 40 feet. If you already own a vessel that is larger than 40 feet, this may be considered as well under a grandfathering clause.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR YOUR NATION?

The CNF shareholder Nations’ citizens will be able to participate in Community Based Fisheries and harvest seafood from their own vessels (or another Nation-owned vessel) and land/sell their product.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Participants in this fishery must meet the following requirements: you must be a citizen of a CNF shareholder Nation; possess a viable business plan, fishing experience and safety certifications; and provide proof that you own an appropriate fishing vessel. All new boats must be 40 feet or shorter, however, fishers who already own vessels larger than 40 feet may be considered by your respective Nation. Permits issued may be multi-year, allowing fishers to make informed and longer-term investment decisions. Each Nation will be the authority on eligibility and approval for participation by their own citizens for each Community Based Fishery.

HOW DO I GET A BUSINESS PLAN AND/OR FINANCING FOR A VESSEL?

Shareholder Nations will provide support for local fishers, including business planning and loan or grant applications for funding, and other training opportunities. Participation in these programs is optional. You may also write your own business plan and loan/grant applications as needed to submit to the CBF support staff in your Nation.

IF I PARTICIPATE, WILL I LOSE MY RIGHTS TO FISH AS A FIRST NATION CITIZEN?

No. Your status and all associated rights will not be impacted in any way as a result of the FRRA or participating in these fisheries. The goal of Community Based Fisheries is to build capacity for First Nations by providing opportunities for commercial fishing, which means more local, Indigenous fishers on the water as entrepreneurs, without giving up any individual or collective access rights.

WHAT SPECIES WILL BE A PART OF THIS FISHERY?

This fishery is intended to be a multi-species fishery that makes use of all species in the territory that can be fished on small- or medium-sized vessels. In developing each Nation’s five-year strategic plan, the citizens, leadership, and technical staff of shareholder Nations are asked what they would like to fish and that information helps design the fishery and prioritize species.

WHERE WILL I BE ABLE TO FISH?

This is to be determined on a Nation-by-Nation basis and the people in your Nation that are implementing the CBF are assessing what is feasible within the parameters of the FRRA to support successful CBFs.

IS THERE A LIMIT ON POTS OR GEAR?

There will be guidelines and limits for pots and gear once a CBF fishery is established. The CBF may allow for different distributions of pots and gear across community vessels than the commercial licence.

WILL FISHING BE POSSIBLE IN PROTECTED AREAS?

No. Community Based Fisheries are considered as a form of commercial fisheries, so you will only be able to harvest seafood in areas that are open for commercial fisheries.

WHO WILL MONITOR THIS FISHERY AND HOW?

The monitoring is planned to be different than the regular commercial fishery. This will evolve over time, but will be affordable and able to accommodate fishers harvesting multiple species. All shareholder Nations will use the same monitoring framework uniquely developed for Community Based Fisheries. Details are still being determined in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

WHERE WILL THE PRODUCT BE DELIVERED?

There will be designated landing sites for this fishery set by each Nation and may include more than one site depending on the fishery and needs of the fish harvesters.

WHEN WILL COMMUNITY BASED FISHERIES START?

This is still to be determined on a community-by-community basis, but planning is well underway for this initiative. The number of fishers and amount of fishing access available to citizens will increase over time.