by Allison Bernard, Fisheries Coordinator, KMKNO

Since 2012, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly) and Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO) have been developing a Mi’kmaq Plamu Salmon Management Plan, in cooperation with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), and Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG). This Plan was created to balance the Right to Salmon harvesting for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, while respecting the conservation.

The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia have a Right for harvesting Salmon under the Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fishery, as guaranteed by the Sparrow Decision which granted First Nations the authority to harvest fish under the FSC fishery, once ensuring that conservation is not an issue.

The Mi’kmaq Plamu/Salmon Management Plan is welcomed news, for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, as it eliminates boundaries created by Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in the individualized Food, Social and Ceremonial licenses issued to Bands. Traditionally our people were not confined by boundaries or regions, and it was important to the Assembly that the Mi’kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia brought the fisheries back to what it once was.

Understanding traditions and our role of protectors for the environment, the Mi’kmaq Plan also looks at proper salmon management and how Mi’kmaw science can ensure that the salmon will continue to be around for many generations.

Conservation issues have been addressed through river-specific Salmon T ...