British Columbia First Nations tribes have signed an agreement with the Canadian government to expand community-based commercial fishing for seven First Nations groups, according to a Cordova Times report.
The agreement also has the aim of advancing economic opportunities for the tribes, as well as creating collaborative governance.
Given that First Nations’ territories comprise some 40 percent of the province’s coastal waters, the expansion of fishing operations would likely help job growth in the communities as well as boost tribal economies. Canadian officials said that the tribes would also contribute more when it comes to fishery governance moving forward.
“In partnership with Coastal First Nations, we are advancing collaborative fisheries management on the north and central coast of our province to best support the prosperity of these coastal communities,” Minister of Fisheries Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Jonathan Wilkinson said of the agreement, which was signed last month in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
President of Coastal First Nations Chief Marlyn Slett said that the tribes would be able to reestablish a self-sustaining small-boat fishing fleet.
“By working together, on a nation-to-nation basis, we will provide opportunities for our communities to fully participate in the fishing economy; create new jobs and investments, and increase economic opportunities and build capacity,” Slett said.
The seven First Nations tribes party to the agreement are the Heiltsuk Nation, Kitasoo/Xai’xai First Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Nuxalk Nation, Wuikinuxv Nation, Gitga’at First Nation, and Gitxaala Nation, all of which are located on the central or northern coasts of British Columbia.
Image courtesy of Coastal First Nations
