Each year, the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) honours the hard work of the men and women working to support their communities through the commercial fisheries. This year was APC’s 20th Annual Fisheries Conference held January 29th – 31st, 2019 in Halifax, NS at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. The Conference hosted over 100 participants ranging from Chiefs, Elders, Fisheries managers, business leaders, Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGO), academia, and community members. The annual event is designed to touch on issues that affect the communal commercial fisheries for Atlantic and Gaspé First Nation communities. This allowed for a high level of engagement for sustainable economic opportunities.

Elder Tom Christmas started with an opening prayer, and then APC Executive Director, John G. Paul, began the conference by highlighting the continued growth of Atlantic First Nations commercial fisheries. He discussed how new vessels and licenses are being acquired, and partnerships are being formed with industry and each other. Aquaculture was also highlighted, in addition to the continued capacity to build the business management and technical skills to ensure operations are running smoothly.

Speakers from a range of backgrounds presented on important themes related to the fishery industry. Some of the highlights this year included presentations by TriNav on market analysis and outlook on key commercial species such as shrimp, snow crab, and lobster. There was also a panel with community members and Chiefs from Listuguj, Annapolis Valley, Esgenoôpetitj, and Eskasoni speaking to economic challenges and successes, and how fisheries have changed their community. Marine ecosystem health was also thoroughly discussed. The NGO, Oceana, highlighted their findings on Atlantic fishery stock health, while right whale safety and monitoring was emphasized by a biologist from the Canadian Wildlife Federation. As well, there was an aquaculture panel with members from Ulnooweg, We’koma’q, and Elsipogtog speaking to successes and challenges in these communities. An AFN Fisheries update was also given by AFN’s Director of Fisheries (and APC’s previous Director of Fisheries) Ken Paul. An AAROM panel was also present with the directors from the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group and the Maliseet Nation Conservation Panel speaking to capacity building. Lastly, there was an Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS), Food, Social and Ceremonial Fisheries (FSC), and Guardians update by John G. Paul.

There were also several federal government presentations. On the first day of the conference, Transport Canada (TC) spoke on updates to the Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), which is a five-year initiative that has the goal of improving marine safety and responsible shipping, along with various other plans and systems that they plan to roll out in the coming years. The Canadian Coast Guard also presented on First Nation employment opportunities, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada spoke to lowering the amount of fishing vessel accidents. TC also presented on the upcoming Canadian Navigable Waters Act and the implications it will have on First Nation Fisheries, as well as updates to environmental responses by the government.

One of the biggest highlights from the Conference was the cultural night hosted by APC Fisheries Coordinator, Amy Moulton, at the Maritime Museum in Halifax. The evening was titled “A Night of History Served with a Modern Twist”. L. Jane McMillan, Donald Marshall Jr.’s former partner and acclaimed anthropologist, presented on her new book “Truth and Conviction: Donald Marshall Jr. and the Mi’kmaw Quest for Justice.” Local Indigenous chef and culinary prophet, Ray Bear, provided fresh food tastings using freshly caught eel. Elder Kerry Prosper concluded the evening’s events showcasing how eel is traditionally caught and skinned.

The award ceremony closed off the conference, and APC would like to congratulate the winners recognized in nine different award categories this year. A special recognition also goes to Shelley Denny from Eskasoni First Nation. Ms. Denny (who is the Director of Aquatic Research and Stewardship at the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources) was the keynote speaker at this year’s event. She discussed developing an alternative governance model for fisheries by exploring how inherent rights and treaty fisheries can be implemented in the Atlantic. As well, this was the first year APC has included the Donald Marshall Jr. Award which was given to a candidate showing leadership and courage in their community, named aptly after Donald Marshall Jr. Jackie Drinnan (the wife of the late Phil Drinnan) accepted this Leadership award on Mr. Drinnan’s behalf in an emotionally charged ceremony.

APC would like to thank all participants who attended the 20th Annual Fisheries Conference and 8th Awards Banquet. Presentations from the Fisheries Conference are available under the Fisheries section of the APC’s website at www.apcfnc.ca/fisheries. If people are interested in more information about Atlantic First Nations Fisheries, they can contact Melissa Nevin, the Director of Fisheries and Integrated Resources, at melissa.nevin@apcfnc.ca. APC would also like to thank all the sponsors of the event, including the Government of Canada, the National Indigenous Fisheries Institute, the TriNav Group of Companies, Meridien, Crane Cove Seafoods, Encana, Husky Energy, B & N Distributors Ltd., and the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association. All photography by Kelly Clark Fotography.

 

 

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