Community Based Fisheries: Planning Workshop

Every six months the Community Based Fisheries (CBF) Leads of the Nations, together with technical support staff, gather in Vancouver for an engaging three days of meetings, collaborating and strategizing on the priority topics for their respective CBFs.

Saul Milne, facilitator of the sessions, guided through the jam-packed agendas with a calm and humble demeanour, always having the wellbeing of the participants in mind and a keen sense of when the group might need a breather to come back to the discussion fresh-brained and with new insights.

The meeting kicked off with a “Year in Review” with Ken Cripps (Kitasoo Xai’xais CBF Lead) and Laina Bell (Haida CBF Lead) sharing challenges faced, lessons learned, and strengths observed from the Kitasoo Xai’xais and the Haida CBF pilot perspectives.

Clockwise from bottom: Evangeline Clifton, Shirley Antonelli, Danny O'Farrell, Aaron Murray and Larry Greba.

In this past season, Kitasoo Xai’xais participated for the second year in a CBF for prawn by trap and for the first year in a groundfish CBF. Haida completed their second year of a CBF for salmon troll and their first year of a CBF for groundfish.

The successful collaboration between Haida Stewardship and Ecotrust Canada, the designated catch monitoring service provider, increased leadership and participation by the Haida Nation in their catch monitoring programming for the second year for salmon and the first year for groundfish.

Over these past two fishing seasons, the important role that mentorship and collaboration play in the success of CBFs has become clear.

In navigating the challenges of implementing this new fishery, standing strong and learning together is more important than ever. The first few years of pilots, despite challenges, have highlighted what can be achieved when Nations collaborate—each rooted deeply in their ancient teachings and protocols, respecting and honouring the fundamental cultural practice of fishing.

Clockwise from bottom: Shirley Antonelli, Ron Smith, Sd'aasd Buster Bell and Cecil Brown.

One example of collaboration amongst piloting Nations was the leadership displayed by the Hereditary Chiefs of both Kitasoo Xai’xais and Gitxaała, which resulted in an agreement between the two Nations. This allowed for Kitasoo Xai’xais fishers to land a portion of their bycatch caught in Gitxaała territory as food, social and ceremonial (FSC) fish to be delivered to the Gitxaała Nation with fishing information that was being shared.

The agreement was made verbally, in the traditional process, and video-documented. This was then integrated into the collaborative fishery management planning process between the Nations and DFO. In this powerful way, we see the time-honoured laws and governance systems of the Gitxaała and Kitasoo Xai’xais Nations in action, breathing new life into these practices and nourishing the bonds between Nations.

Other notable topics discussed by participants at the workshop were data-sharing protocols, catch monitoring across species, CBF fishing zones, and visions and strategies for additional CBFs being considered. Accessible and interactive presentations were given by CNF’s CBF Lead Tasha Sutcliffe, as well as Sarah Harper, CBF Subcommittee Co-Chair from Coastal First Nations (CFN), and Garry Wouters and Justin Schaible, both CFN Consultants.

CNF CEO Guy Dean gave an update on licence and quota acquisitions as well as the status of the Vessel and Gear Fund (VGF). As of now, three VGF applications have been completed with five more in the works. The participants went into break out groups to brainstorm possible approaches, by fishery/species, for a CBF lease policy.

Reflecting on the meetings, the participants noted the complexity of the CBF implementation. To quote Trinity Mack, Fisheries Reconciliation Manager of the Nuxalk Nation: “You have eight Nations collaborating, necessitating numerous entities operating within each Nation and aggregates operating between the Nations. It takes a lot of work to bring these spaces together.”

A lot of work it undoubtedly is, with many steep mountains to climb, but what struck me the most is the dedication and brilliance of everyone in the room, working respectfully, shoulder to shoulder, through different perspectives and always from the heart towards the shared goal of getting their fishers back on the water.

Written by Sandra Manow, CNF Business Manager

For general inquiries about the CBFs, please contact Tasha Sutcliffe, CNF's Community Based Fisheries Lead.

If you are a citizen of a shareholder Nation and interested in getting involved in Community Based Fisheries, please contact your Nation’s CBF Lead(s):

• Gitxaała: Bruce Watkinson

• Gitga’at: Martin Ostrega

• Haida: Laina Bell and Dan McNeill

• Haíłzaqv: Evangeline Clifton and Mike Reid

• Kitasoo Xai’xais: Ken Cripps

• Metlakatla: Ron Smith

• Nuxalk: Trinity Mack

• Wuikinuxv: Shirley Antonelli