Increasing First Nations Engagement in Fisheries Science and Improving Integration of Indigenous Knowledge

(Project Delayed to 2018-19 Year/For posting then)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is supporting this science collaboration with $160,600 in funds over two years via the Partnership Fund. This collaboration between the B.C.-based First Nations Fisheries Council and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) achieved their first year goals. They developed an inventory of First Nation organizations' science capacity and engagement in collaborative science processes and activities with DFO. They identified 'success factors' for collaboration and gaps that are barriers to collaboration on science with DFO.

Over the past 25 years, many Pacific First Nations increased fisheries-related technical capacity due partly to the DFO Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy and Aboriginal Aquatic and Ocean Resources Management contribution programs. With varied fisheries involvement among 200+ First Nations in B.C., the project is now focussing on how best to collaboratively improve science and management processes and to meaningfully consider Indigenous Knowledge in fisheries management.

In year two of the project, case studies will enable insights in developing collaborative initiatives with successful outcomes. The team will:

• Develop recommendations on metrics that DFO could develop with First Nations for use as performance indicators of collaborative projects;
• Develop recommendations for DFO and First Nations on improved approaches and tools for collaboration and improved coordination of science.
• Identify areas of joint priority and opportunities for collaboration.
• Communicate the findings, results and recommendations to First Nations.

Project number: PAC2016.8
Year: 2016, 2017, 2018
Partner: First Nations Fisheries Society of British Columbia
Principal Investigator(s): n/a
Eco-region: Pacific