INTERIM ECONOMIC FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST NATIONS
VANCOUVER - The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today announced that interim economic fishing arrangements for 2004 have been established for salmon for First Nations in the lower Fraser River. Fisheries in the lower Fraser River will begin this week.
"My Department's goal in discussions with First Nations is to restore economic fishing opportunities to those groups where such opportunities existed in the past and to do so in a way that is fair to all interests," said Minister Regan. "These arrangements are intended to meet the aspirations of First Nations without displacement of commercial fishermen, and contribute to an orderly and well-managed fishery."
This interim arrangement moves away from the "pilot sales program" and towards the recommendations in the Joint Task Group and First Nations Panel reports, which have advocated the negotiation of interim arrangements for First Nations economic fisheries in order to facilitate an orderly transition both to Treaties and a more integrated commercial fishery.
Following the July 12, 2004 BC Supreme Court appeal decision in R. vs. Kapp DFO has been working with lower Fraser River First Nations to negotiate arrangements that will govern the conduct of economic fishing opportunities for the 2004 fishing season only.
In the lower Fraser River, Musqueam, Tsawwassen and Sto:lo First Nations will have economic fishing opportunities to harvest Fraser River sockeye, as well as fisheries under which salmon may be harvested for food, social and ceremonial purposes. The economic fisheries arrangements for 2004 include a transfer of 50 per cent of the food, social and ceremonial allocation to a First Nations commercial fishery. There is no increase in the overall catch allocation for First Nations and no decrease in catch allocation for other sectors.
To ensure that the lower Fraser River First Nations' economic fishing opportunities meet conservation objectives, provisions have been included in the fishing arrangements such as catch monitoring, mandatory landing stations, as well as for the designation of all fishers participating in the opportunities. Most of these fisheries will be carried out at separate times from the First Nations fisheries for food, social and ceremonial purposes (fisheries that do not include a sale component).
Potential economic fishing opportunities in the fall for First Nations fishing chum salmon in the lower Fraser River and Goldstream River are also in the preliminary stages of discussion. On the Somass River, discussions are underway with two First Nations for an economic fishing opportunity for chinook and coho this year. Details about these opportunities are still being determined.
The development of any future economic fishing opportunities for First Nations in B.C. will be guided by other initiatives, such as the Joint Task Group and First Nations Panel reports. The Department will begin consultations on these initiatives in the fall, which will help to set a foundation for longer term arrangements for an orderly and equitable fishery for all. The goal of the consultations is to develop the basis for a long term plan for the 2005 fishing season.
Contact:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
604-666-2872
