Reflecting on Fisheries and Oceans Programs, Practises and Policies

Membertou – The second and final report on the review of Indigenous programs at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) calls on the Department to reconcile the management of fish, habitat and other aquatic resources with Indigenous communities to achieve the intent of programs put in place almost three decades ago.

“The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy was always meant to enable resource co-management – to build and retain the capacity to meaningfully participate in the management of fisheries,” said John G. Paul, Executive Director of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and Chair of the Institute’s Board of Directors. “It’s time to deliver on that promise so we can ensure that fish are around to meet the needs of future generations.”

The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy was one of two programs reviewed during phase two of Indigenous Program Review. The Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Program was the second. Both began in 1992 to help DFO manage the fishery in a manner that respected the section 35.1 priority rights of First Nations to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes.

“The priority rights of Indigenous peoples must be better reflected in the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy and other DFO programs, practises and policies,” said Ken Paul, Director of Fisheries at the Assembly of First Nations and an Institute Board Di ...