FIRST NATIONS FISHERIES COUNCIL

SUPPORTING STEWARDSHIP OF FISHERIES RESOURCES

FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS

News Release

“Canadians cannot depend on a Judicial Inquiry to bring back B.C. salmon” the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia tells Ottawa

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2009

The First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia is pleased that Ottawa has finally acknowledged that B.C. salmon are in trouble with the announcement late last week of a judicial inquiry to look into issues with Fraser sockeye, but the Council urges Ottawa to take a more proactive role in finding solutions to save B.C. fisheries. This most recent inquiry is the latest in 26 years of inquiries, and yet numerous salmon stocks in B.C. continue to decline.

The First Nations Fisheries Council urges the Government of Canada to move immediately to seek constructive outcomes which will result in improved collaborative management and better capacity in science, incorporation of local and aboriginal knowledge, decision-making, monitoring, and compliance.

“Canadians cannot depend on a Judicial Inquiry to bring back B.C. salmon,” stated Chief Thomas Alexis of the Tl’azt’en First Nation, and member of the First Nations Fisheries Council for the Upper Fraser. “There are things going on with salmon right now that we might never understand.” Chief Alexis stated: “All governments, and those concerned with salmon and other marine species in Canada need to show leadership and work together to save this important resource.”

Chief Allan Claxton of the Tsawout First Nation, Co-Chair of the First Nations Fisheries Council, wants to ensure that the judicial inquiry not distract from management. “We need to be cautious that we don’t let arguments and the desire to lay blame distract us from our responsibility to care for this precious resource,” said Claxton. “B.C. First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada need to focus right now on how we will work together to support our salmon stocks – we can’t afford to take any resources away from that task.”

While the Council stopped short of criticizing the Inquiry (the Fisheries Council previously urged Canada and B.C. to support an international salmon science summit and to provide financial assistance to those hardest hit by the downturn in salmon), they did note that Canada has not engaged in discussions with First Nations yet about how they want to participate. “If this inquiry goes ahead,” stated Claxton, “First Nations should have the opportunity to provide input into the terms of reference and should be consulted about how they see themselves participating in the inquiry process.”

Chief Claxton pointed out that Skeena sockeye also did not return in the numbers which were predicted this year, and that some runs of chinook salmon are also not reproducing well enough to sustain themselves. Many B.C. First Nations are calling for an expansion of the inquiry to include Skeena sockeye and other stocks. “Until we can get a better handle on what is happening with salmon in the Pacific Ocean we need to manage all stocks in a cautious and conservative manner,” said Claxton.

Chief Alexis also pointed out that the recent Ahousaht decision reinforces the assertion of B.C. First Nations that they have a constitutionally protected right to their fisheries resources. “We are not just another stakeholder,” stated Alexis, “and we need to work with Canada now to find solutions which support our connection to these resources.”

The First Nations Fisheries Council is an organization supported by B.C. First Nations which works to: protect First Nations’ rights and title, develop capacity in First Nations communities to participate in fisheries management, and facilitate discussions among B.C. First Nations with respect to fisheries management.

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For more information:

Brenda McCorquodale

Executive Director

B.C. First Nations Fisheries Council

P.O. Box 2606

Port Hardy, B.C., V0N 2P0

Tel. 250-902-8380

e-mail. Brenda@FNFisheriesCouncil.ca

website: www.FNFisheriesCouncil.ca