A Nuu-chah-nulth Perspective: Sea Otter Recovery

In the late 1920s sea otters were eliminated Sea otter recovery is a controversial topic within Nuu-chah-nulth from the west coast of Vancouver Island communities. Yet, Nuu-chah-nulth, in the spirit of Hishukish tsa’walk interrupting Nuu-chah-nulth’s long-standing (everything is one) and Iisaak (respect with caring) have been supportive relationship with sea otters. From 1969 to 1972 and active in the recovery efforts. It has been through these recovery efforts sea otters were reintroduced to Kyuquot/Checlesaht that Nuu-chah-nulth are reestablishing the culturally important relationship territory, with no input from the Nuu-chah-nulth people. they once had with the sea otters. Sea otters compete with Nuu-chah-nulth for the same favorite food items, like sea urchin, crab, abalone, and clams.

Sea otter survey & critical habitat ID Oil spill response techniques training Sea otter outreach and education

Over the past decade Nuu-chah-nulth have been involved in sea otter recovery efforts

Nuu-chah-nulth contributions to sea otter a Master’s thesis on WCVI residents recovery: Nuu-chah-nulth participation views of sea otter recovery, focusing on in sea otter recovery activities the responses of Nuu-chah-nulth people • Nuu-chah-nulth have been patrolling ensures that: and conservation professionals. their Ha-houlthee (territories) looking for otters and evidence of their presence That ongoing changes within Nuu-chah- • Oil spill training in 2006 – Nuu-chah- since sea otters were introduced to nulth Ha-houlthee are monitored. nulth guardians and other WCVI Checleset Bay in 1969. Ahousaht’s residents received training in oil spill survey of Ahous Bay in 2004 revealed That the Ha’wiih are made aware of response techniques and oiled sea life that sea otters were established around activities within their Ha-houlthee and rehabilitation, through partnership Bartlett Island, also confirmed by the are empowered to exercise their role with Burrard Clean and Vancouver absence of commercial crab traps as the owners and managers of their Aquarium. in Ahous Bay. By 2004, Ahousaht Ha-houlthee. Guardians noticed it was more difficult • Mapping Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge to obtain red sea urchins at Ahous Point. That Nuu-chah-nulth Traditional about seasonal sea otter distribution In 2006, DFO closed the commercial Ecological Knowledge is considered – again primarily to build a inventory of red sea urchin fishery in Ahousaht Ha- in all management decisions. siting data to be used in the event of an houlthee. oil spill.

• In 2000, Nuu-chah-nulth participated in counts help determine population size • In 2006 and 2007, Nuu-chah-nulth staff www.uuathluk.ca a sea otter workshop with Alaska Natives and range expansion; winter surveys and summer students participating in and government staff experienced with determine critical winter habitat BMSC Youth Forums to communicate sea otter issues in SE Alaska. (important to know in case of an oil the Nuu-chah-nulth perspective about spill). sea otters. • Nuu-chah-nulth staff have been surveying sea otters • In 2003, participated in sea otter • In 2006 and 2007, Nuu-chah-nulth staff since 2001. In workshops delivered by Anne Stewart have been giving public presentations the summer of Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre at conferences to communicate the sea otter (BMSC). Workshops were designed for Nuu-chah-nulth perspective on sea Ha’wiih, and led to Anne completing otters.

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