| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
In 2001 the concept of a “fisheries interest group” comprising upper Fraser First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada was conceived. The impetus for the formation of such a group was bourn out of the commonalities that upper Fraser First Nations share in relation to the aquatic resources of the area, including their desire to ensure these resources are managed in a sustainable manner, challenges each face in accessing these resources, and their unique cultural identity with these resources. Additionally, the groups also shared a common desire to implement specific technically-based capacity development and scientific initiatives, the achievement of which it was recognized could be more effectively and efficiently pursued working together, as opposed to working in isolation. Through ongoing meetings, the group has adopted the name of the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) and presently acts as an “ad hoc” technical forum where technical and political personnel from upper Fraser First Nations attend nearly monthly meetings. The UFFCA has developed a vision statement, objectives, and has emphasized a watershed-based approach to its planning and activities, rather than an approach based on political boundaries, owing to the UFFCA’s technical focus. Meetings generally include discussions relating to technical issues involving upper Fraser fisheries resources and are open to all who wish to attend. DFO has had continual participation in the process of the group’s formation and has provided ongoing support for the UFFCA’s meeting forums. The upper Fraser First Nations recognized their need to develop the required capacities to participate more effectively in all aspects of the existing realm of fisheries management activities taking place within the upper Fraser. Additionally, it was recognized by DFO and First Nations that there were considerable information gaps relating to the fisheries resources of the area that, if redressed, had the potential to contribute to more effective and sustainable management of these resources. The upper Fraser First Nations considered the pursuit of both of these objectives (i.e. increased participation in ongoing fisheries management activities, and pursuing the redress of scientific information gaps) as priorities to further their interests. In order to guide and facilitate the UFFCA’s objectives with respect to capacity development and their participation in and management of scientific initiatives, a need was identified to develop a strategic plan. Funds for this purpose were received from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which were subsequently administered through the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, who completed the development of this plan. In order to keep this planning task within a reasonable “scope” given limited available funds and time, only the anadromous resources of the upper Fraser watershed are considered. However, it should be noted that the UFFCA is equally concerned with the sustainable management and conservation of all aquatic resources. A draft outline of the proposed strategic plan was presented, discussed and altered at several UFFCA forums. The parties to the UFFCA determined that the geographical area considered within this plan would include the Fraser River and all tributaries from the Fraser’s headwaters downstream to the confluence of Deadman Creek. Information required for the development of this document originated from questionnaires that were sent to all First Nations in the upper Fraser, numerous DFO staff, and other individuals. Additionally, numerous persons were petitioned by phone interview, available literature sources were researched, and the knowledge of the author was utilized to derive the required information. For the purposes of this plan, the geographic area has been divided into 5 watershed-based subunits that encompass the largest sub-basins to the Fraser. A thorough description of the anadromous stocks within each subunit and recent escapement trends for each stock are provided. A technical summary is provided that gives an overview of the ongoing fisheries management activities that are annually or regularly occurring, including DFO’s “internal” habitat and enforcement programs, for each subunit. An estimate of the source and amount of financial resources contributed to these programs, as well as the nature and source of the human resource capacities required to undertake these activities is summarized. Additionally, an overview is provided of the scientific information gaps that were identified within each of the subunits by various respondents to questionnaires, with a corresponding estimate of the human resource and financial capacities that would be required to redress these issues. This information is provided within the technical summaries for each of the subunits. A sixth technical summary is provided for capacity requirements and information gaps that were commonly identified as being required for all subunits. Specific recommendations are outlined to guide the implementation of this plan. The plan makes suggestions as to the development of specific infrastructure components within the UFFCA and corresponding board governance mechanisms that would allow the Alliance to petition for and administer funding on the behalf of upper Fraser First Nations and retain and hire staff. Options for the UFFCA to explore for the purposes of accessing funding that would allow for the formation of the suggested UFFCA “entity” and subsequent implementation of the plan are presented. Two Alliance staff positions are suggested and corresponding priority duties and responsibilities for each position are outlined for an approximate one-year period. Recommended short-term priorities for the Alliance parties to pursue include the provision of recognized technical training for First Nations technical personnel and implementation of the suggested means for increasing training, employment and capacity development opportunities for First Nations personnel. Suggested methods of increasing capacity development opportunities and post-secondary enrollment related to fisheries and resource management include the establishment of mentoring positions and establishing/improving relationships between First Nations Education Coordinators and fisheries program, DFO and Alliance staff, as well as other avenues. As available funding and resources will control the rate at which recommended actions within this plan are implemented, timelines are not established relating to the plan’s implementation, or the rate at which various capacities should be developed. Rather, prioritization of the recommended items for pursuit within the plan is suggested with all those items relating to capacity development being foremost. With respect to the specific technical projects that have been identified within each subunit, further subunit specific planning is suggested whereby projects can be prioritized and planning related to specific activities can be accomplished. As well, further strategic planning is recommended to take place specific to many of the larger issues identified within the plan. Two of the primary short-term recommendations of this plan have been pursued. These include the submission of a proposal to the BC Capacity Initiative to provide a Fisheries Field Technician Training course for First Nations technicians and to hire an associated Coordinator position, and a proposal to the Federal Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) Program. Funding has been received from the AAROM and will be utilized prior to March 31, 2004 to carry out primary recommendations relating to developing the UFFCA’s infrastructure. Notification regarding the possibility of BC Capacity Initiative funding will not be known until late March 2004. |
