Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Federal aquaculture licences infringe First Nations' title & rights

The issuance of aquaculture licenses on December 18, 2010 without meaningful First Nation consultation was a clear infringement on the rights and title of many B.C. First Nations. Since the B.C. Supreme Court Morton decision on February 9, 2009, the First Nation Fisheries Council (FNFC) has been working with Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in an attempt to increase the opportunities for B.C. First Nations to contribute to, and participate in, the development of the new Pacific Aquaculture Regulations DFO, however, has moved forward and issued new federal aquaculture licenses without adequately consulting First Nations or meaningfully addressing their concerns

This has led the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation (KAFN) to file for a Judicial Review of the eight Finfish Aquaculture Licenses issued within their territories. The KAFN, who hold rights and title in the Broughton Archipelago, have repeatedly articulated that these licenses were issued with virtually zero consultation and/or accommodation, and therefore constitute an unjustified infringement to the rights of the KAFN people.

Ken Malloway, Co-Chair of the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) has said: "First Nations have received no information from DFO as to what licenses exist, or will be issued in their traditional territories. The issuance of licenses without meaningful consultation is a clear infringement of First Nations rights, and is a serious concern for many First Nations who have significant aquaculture activities occurring in their territories." Read more ...

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