First nations want say on fishing

Jeff Thomas, a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and South Island director for the First Nations Fisheries Council Canada, is among those calling for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in BC to include more aboriginal perspective in the new rules that will govern aquaculture when the federal government takes over regulatory control from the province on Saturday.

DFO documents show the department worked with the First Nations Fisheries Council and Aboriginal Aquaculture Association to set up 10 community meetings to "seek input and guidance from First Nations." Reports from those meetings were considered as the regulations were developed. "Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy funding has not increased for the last 20 years, treaty negotiations are stalled ... and Canada cannot meet its basic consultation obligations with First Nations on fisheries issues," he said. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.