Uu-A-Thluk Taking Care Of
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Volume 4 Issue 2 2008 Uu-a-thluk Taking Care Of Kyuquot Lingcod Closure Lifted for Communal Access Nootka Clayoquot Barclay Ditidaht Pacheedaht Inside This Issue Commercial Groundfish boat on WCVI. Nuu-chah-nulth Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have successfully ar- Initiative Updates gued for the removal of a restriction on Nuu- page 2 chah-nulth communal fishing licences prohibit- Although lingcod living in Nuu-chah-nulth territories ing the winter harvest of lingcod. Over five years fall into the statistical areas and trawl catch locations BCCI Project ago, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans known 3D and 3C, DFO had managed the WCVI as Encourages Youth (DFO) decided to apply the lingcod conservation a 4B area until recently. page 3 measures designed for sports fishermen in the Strait of Georgia to Nuu-chah-nulth communal had lumped Pacheedaht’s area in with the Strait Lingcod Closure Lifted licences for the West Coast of Vancouver Island of Georgia and managed it as one area for ling- for Communal Access (WCVI). This decision effectively closed the fish- cod,” said Uu-a-thluk biologist, Jim Lane. “They Continued ery for the lingcod spawning/nesting period be- have now noted the stocks are separate even if page 4 tween November 15 and April 14 each year. DFO has put them in the same management unit. “That had a huge impact on our funerals, be- The lingcod stocks in Nuu-chah-nulth territories cause lingcod was one of the few available fish do not have any conservation issues.” at that time of year,” said Helen Dunn, Fisheries In fact, DFO allowed the commercial trawl Biologist for Pacheedaht First Nation. fishery to harvest lingcod in Nuu-chah-nulth ter- When the closure first appeared, Pacheedaht ritories while the recreational and First Nations went to DFO’s science branch and asked for an fisheries were closed. Pacheedaht and Uu-a- expert opinion. “What happened was that DFO thluk staff used this information to back up their Continued on page 4 NUU-CHAH-NULTH INITIATIVES UPDATES A FEW ITEMS THE FIRST NATIONS AND UU-A-THLUK STAFF ARE WORKING ON GROUNDFISH INTEGRATION The Nuu-chah-nulth litigation against tegration program. To meet their obli- DFO for not properly consulting Na- gations to the Crown, DFO requested tions about ground fish integration Nuu-chah-nulth input in three specific (GFI) was unsuccessful. However, as areas. Uu-a-thluk staff presented this part of his ruling in the case, the Court request at the July 30-31, 2008 Council indicated the need for ongoing consul- of Ha’wiih meeting and recommended tations with Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, Nuu-chah-nulth Nations engage in particularly in the current GFI pilot the GFI program review through the program review. When the Minister six-stage consultation protocol. The of Fisheries and Oceans approved Council adopted this recommendation commercial groundfish integration in and is proceeding using the consulta- 2006, he did so on a pilot basis. This tion protocol. season marks the end of the pilot and For more information, contact Halibut caught from Nuu-chah-nulth waters. DFO is required to fully review the in- Jim Lane at 250-724-5757. PACIFIC INTEGRATED COMMERCIAL FISHERIES INITIATIVE (PICFI) Uu-a-thluk staff and NSDC directors business plan. DFO has responded for participation and alternatives with continue to meet with Nuu-chah-nulth favorably to the EOI. The next step undecided Nations and fishermen. Nations to receive input on a collective will be a contribution agreement with The approach is designed to allow structure and business plan for PICFI. DFO to develop the Business Plan, a undecided Nations to join until the Uu-a-thluk staff have submitted an training plan, and NSDC structure. Business Plan is complete. Expression of Interest (EOI) to DFO The goal is to submit a comprehensive For more information, contact on behalf of the seven Nations who business plan this fall. Uu-a-thluk staff Don Hall at 250-724-5757. decided to work collectively on a PICFI will continue to discuss opportunities CRAB REFORM In May of 2008, Uu-a-thluk Southern group. DFO commit- Region biologist Jim Lane attended ted funding for an in- a DFO-hosted Crab Sectoral meet- dependent working ing, where he was appointed to a new group Chair/Facilita- steering committee. The committee’s tor, who the organi- main role is to help move crab reform zation has now hired. forward by laying the groundwork for In a separate process, a multi-party working group com- DFO responded to the prised of representatives from the first set of Nuu-chah- commercial and recreational sectors nulth Crab Reform working with government and First recommendations by Nations. The multi-party working requesting a meeting group will be a forum where Nuu- for September 19. chah-nulth can present recommen- For more infor- dations for crab reform and interact mation, contact Jim with the recreational and commercial Lane at 250-724- sectors. At a meeting in late May, the 5757. Uu-a-thluk biologist Katie Beach measures crab during the steering committee drafted a terms of Ucluelet Harbour crab study for toxicology. reference for the multi-party working Continued on page 4 For more information on any of these projects contact [email protected] or Don Hall at 724-5757 Page 2 BCCI PROJECT ENGAGES YOUTH Uu-a-thluk’s 2008-2009 capacity building program is in full pride and understanding of the historical relationship swing and Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have been enthusiastic between Aboriginal communities on the Island and marine participants in the program’s offerings. To date, Nuu- resources,” said Messer. “It engaged youth and developed chah-nulth communities have hosted a variety of Uu-a- leadership skills, and that’s what Uu-a-thluk’s capacity thluk’s scientific and culturally based camps, supporting an building program is all about.” increased understanding of ocean-based resources among Now that fall has arrived, Uu-a-thluk’s programming school-aged children. Already the program has reached has shifted gears somewhat, partnering predominantly over 100 youth. with the schools and other organizations working in “It has been great. The program has been really well the classroom. As part of Uu-a-thluk’s ongoing effort to received by the communities—the kids have been loving the increase participation of Nuu-chah-nulth youth in ocean- camps and have had a really good time,” said Uu-a-thluk’s based careers, Messer is coordinating a high school job Capacity Building Coordinator, Norine Messer. shadowing program. She is also working with organizations Included in the roster of summer offerings were the like the Raincoast Education Society and the Nisma Society following: three science camps delivered by University of to deliver education programs to Nuu-chah-nulth students Victoria’s Science Venture program, one sustainability camp up and down the coast. A youth conference, to be delivered delivered by the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation, and in each Nuu-chah-nulth region, will include a seafood three media camps delivered by media professional Caron harvesting retreat for the hardworking youth planning team. Olive. Uu-a-thluk also supported students who wanted to This unique experience will offer 5-10 youth the chance to attend Vancouver Island University’s First Nations Youth gather traditional foods in the ways of our ancestors. Leadership and Shellfish Program. For more information about Uu-a-thluk’s Capacity “Here was a culturally appropriate program for Nuu- Building program, contact Norine Messer at 250-735-4111. chah-nulth youth that had a focus on instilling a sense of PROGRAM REGION/COMMUNITY WHEN Nisma outdoor culture programs Central Region September - December Classroom aquatic science programs 15 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations September - March (including Pacheedaht) Youth conferences Ahousaht October 16 Bamfield November 12th and 13th Ehattesaht Late February High school job shadowing program All regions/communities September - March Students at the 2008 sustainability camp learn that solar panels can be used to charge batter- ies to use in almost anything - including remote controlled cars! (Bottom row) Uu-a-thluk interns Sabrina Halvorsen and Allison Gallic get ready to snorkel during their stay at the Bamfield Youth Forum, summer 2008. Page 3 Lingcod Closure Lifted for Communal Access cont. from page 1 request to have the winter closure lifted. “After discussions with DFO’s Groundfish Manager, the harvesting restriction for lingcod along the WCVI for Nuu-chah-nulth’s food and ceremonial Uu-a-thluk is: purposes was lifted,” Lane said. Despite the restriction’s removal, Council of Ha’wiih: Nations like Pacheedaht will continue The Ha’wiih or their representatives to respect the fish’s need for protection of: Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’, while nest guarding in the winter months. The male lingcod guards its nest during the Nuchatlaht, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht/ In January and February, the female lays winter months on the WCVI. If left unguard- Muchahtlaht, Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, 150 000-500 000 eggs before letting ed, the nests will not survive to hatch. Photo Tla-o-qui-aht, Ucluelet, Toquaht, the male take up the role of guardian. courtesy of DFO. Uchucklesaht, Tseshaht, During this time, males rarely stray from Hupacasath, Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht the nesting site and aggressively defend Lane concurred. “Although it’s and Pacheedaht. their offspring. If a male does perish and proper that Nuu-chah-nulth have access the nest is left unattended, the eggs will during this time, it’s also important to Joint Technical Working Group: not survive to hatch. remember these are spawning periods, First Nations, Uu-a-thluk, and “We’re not going to have a huge all- and especially in the near-shore Department of Fisheries and Oceans out fishery,” said Helen Dunn.