The Aboriginal Aquaculture Association in Campbell River, B.C., believes it is important to understand the backdrop on which First Nation fish farmers provide present-day feedback. The Association exists to support First Nation communities and entrepreneurs actively involved in salmon aquaculture in British Columbia.
The Association was formed to 'promote aquaculture that supports communities, culture and values,' and create awareness of significant First Nations investments by full or part owners of fish farms or supporting businesses. In addition to direct employment, the aquaculture sector also provides a myriad of contracted and support services opportunities.
There are numerous established partnerships between First Nation enterprise and the international fish farm industry. Many Indigenous Canadians are employed in the sector with jobs typically paying more than the average available in the area and they are year-round jobs not reliant on a season.
The Association was formed in 2003 to support economic development and employment in rural, remote B.C. coastal First Nation communities where previous mainstays of the economy are in decline, including commercial fishing as well as forestry.
Salmon aquaculture was available to First Nations when other industries are not, and Indigenous chiefs and leaders on Canada's west coast invested in fish farms and made agreements with industry leaders in the face of disappearing livelihoods; First Nation leaders are aware that economic alternatives are few and far between, such as the sablefish farming sector in B.C., which is small and has challenges that will take many years and planning to resolve.
A development such as seaweed is not high value and seaweed aquaculture requires more research to determine if it can meet the expectations for carbon capture and if the volumes that will be needed to be financially viable will not be a detriment to the environment.
The Association agrees, not all First Nations support fish farming in their traditional territories, but those that do should operate with autonomy to engage in the economic opportunities provided by the salmon farming industry. In some remote coastal First Nations, salmon farming is an integral source of revenue and other socio-economic benefits.
To restate the position of the Association regarding Canada's Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and current plans to transition open netpen fish farming on the west coast:
1. Transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture
• The AAA supports continuation of open net pen salmon farming
• Salmon farm licences should be re-issued for a minimum of nine years, which would provide time for Canada to meet and work with First Nation communities and entrepreneurs in developing a workable transition plan, respecting individual First Nations' values, socio-economic priorities and regional characteristics while providing business stability and certainty.
• A longer licensing period will not undermine existing partnerships that First Nations have with the aquaculture industry.
• Regulatory changes are needed to support innovation and new technologies.
• If there is a loss by First Nations of economic opportunities as a result of the Transition Plan accommodation needs to be provided.
2. Trust and Transparency
• Social License:
While the salmon farming companies in BC are pursuing certification of their farms, hatcheries, processing plants and even feed mills under the rules of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council or the Best Aquaculture Practices program, the facilities operating under an agreement with the local First Nation would be advised to seek certification under the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association's certification program. The Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA) provides a standard for the structural and operational framework under which First Nations can be assured that their values, expectations and interests are included in the sustainable management of aquaculture operations.
https://www.aboriginalaquaculture.com/aboriginal-certification
• Communication:
There is much misinformation about salmon aquaculture that has contributed to the negative perspective of the sector. More proactive communications between and amongst First Nations, Aboriginal entrepreneurs, non-Indigenous participants in the sector, governments and other stakeholders is necessary as we move forward with a Transition Plan.
The AAA would welcome the opportunity to work with government and industry in this regard.
3. Reconciliation and Indigenous Partnerships
Title and Rights
Any transition plan must respect First Nations rights and title and must fully recognize and support Indigenous rights to self-determination. Section 35 of the Constitution Act includes the inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The Government of Canada has recognized that "Indigenous nations are self-determining, self-governing increasingly self-sufficient and rightfully aspire to no longer be marginalized, regulated, and administered under the Indian Act and similar instruments", Government of Canada, Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples. ("The Principles"). Principle 1, the Government of Canada recognizes that "all relations with Indigenous peoples need to be based on the recognition and implementation of their right to self-determination, including the inherent right to self-government.
As well the Government of Canada United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIPA), ("the Declaration") states in Article 3 of the Declaration, that coastal First Nations have a right to self-determination, which includes their right to "freely pursue" economic development. One form of economic development for some coastal First Nations is aquaculture and salmon fish farms within their traditional territory. Should Canada fail to implement a transition plan for open-net pen fish farms that provides First Nations with the ability to "freely pursue" this form of economic development, then an argument could be made that Canada failed to implement the Declaration and uphold the Principles.
• A transition plan for open-pen fish farms that does not provide support, resources and a reasonable amount of time for the transition to occur will negatively impact the fish farm industry, which would inhibit First Nations in accessing a revenue source that supports their communities, their members and their governance. Should that be the result of an ambitious transition plan imposed by Canada, it could be argued that Canada will have failed to implement the Declaration and the Principles in a way that is meaningful or supportive of reconciliation. Support is needed to First Nations to derive a livelihood from their territories through salmon aquaculture, that is a true measure of reconciliation.
4. Growth in B.C. sustainable aquaculture innovation
• Support is needed for full Indigenous participation including partnerships and/or ownership opportunities (licenses and tenures). Financial incentives are needed for Indigenous communities to invest in these opportunities as they occur, and to support capacity building within the communities, skills training and expertise to be full partners/owners in salmon aquaculture operations.
• The governments of Canada and British Columbia should allow for an increase in the production of farmed salmon for both research purposes, to try new technologies and for those First Nations that are interested in and supportive of existing technology.
