Fisheries and Oceans Canada
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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Project Summaries
- Pacific Region
- Central and Arctic Region
- Quebec Region
- Gulf Region
- Maritimes Region
- Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Pacific Region
Development and Use of a Framework Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Protocol for Upper Fraser White Sturgeon and Interior Fraser Coho in the Upper Fraser (2010-2011)
The Upper Fraser Fisheries Conversation Alliance (UFFCA), along with Upper Fraser First Nations Community Fisheries representatives, has started undertaking pilot projects with the goal of refining an Aboriginal traditional knowledge (ATK) protocol framework and implementing the protocol in the gathering and sharing of ATK related to Nechako White Sturgeon and Interior Fraser Coho in the Upper Fraser. Over the next three years, and overseen by the UFFCA Project Manager and technical staff, it is anticipated that nine projects with nine communities will begin. The main goal of these projects is to improve the ATK protocol framework, incorporate the information gathered into Species at Risk Act (SARA) processes and fill knowledge gaps that currently exist in the recovery and management plans of the Nechako White Sturgeon and Interior Fraser Coho. In addition to the pilot projects, a SARA coordinator examined non-ATK recovery processes in the UFFCA area.
Identification of the Location of Important Habitats of the Upper Fraser White Sturgeon (2010-2011)
The Lheidli T'enneh Band used radio telemetry monitoring to identify and improve important habitats of the White Sturgeon stock in the Upper Fraser. This project addressed two priority actions identified in the National White Sturgeon Recovery Strategy/Plan: 1) the completion of an inventory of species at risk and 2) the use of information gathered through past Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk investments (e.g., the 2007-2008 identification of important habitats that were previously unknown and their resulting addition to the Recovery Strategy). The identification of important habitats, specifically spawning sites, assists in the protection and recovery of the Upper Fraser White Sturgeon population.
Central and Arctic Region
Population and Habitat Status for Lake Sturgeon in Lake Nipissing (2010-2011)
The Nipissing First Nation (NFN) Natural Resources Department undertook a multi-year project that was intended to fill significant information gaps on the status of Lake Nipissing sturgeon. Historically, Lake Sturgeon dominated the Lake Nipissing ecosystem, however, decades of overfishing has diminished this once flourishing species. Presently, the quality and quantity of the remaining sturgeon species is unknown. In an effort to understand the population status and habitat needs, in an earlier phase of this project NFN began compiling Aboriginal traditional knowledge (ATK). Additionally, NFN used radio-telemetry, juvenile and adult tagging and habitat mapping to develop a comprehensive and definitive report on the population and habitat status of Lake Sturgeon in Lake Nipissing. The ultimate goal of this project was to use the information gained to develop a conservation plan that will protect and enhance the Lake Nipissing sturgeon species.
http://www.nfn.ca/land_fish.php
Community-Based Fisheries (Shortjaw Cisco and Inconnu) Monitoring and Education Program in the Tåîchô Community of Behchokö (2010-2011)
The Wek'èezhìı Renewable Resources Board (WRRB) partnered with Tåîchô Government and the Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board in a project with an overall goal of establishing a community-based monitoring program and an approach for community education in monitoring. This project represented the first phase of a larger initiative towards the development of a regional monitoring program for the Tåîchô communities. The objectives of this project were: 1) to develop an approach for delivering community monitoring education and 2) to gather Aboriginal traditional knowledge regarding the design of a fish monitoring pilot program, focusing on Shortjaw Cisco and Inconnu, for the North Arm of Great Slave Lake and Marion Lake near the community of Behchokö. These objectives were achieved by engaging Elders and fishers in the establishment of monitoring schedules and sites, program design and execution, data interpretation and communicating results. The ultimate goal of this project is that it will enable the project partners (i.e., the Wek'èezhìı Forum) to collect useful fish data for the Marion Lake Watershed that will help in decision-making and resource management planning at a regional scale.
Ochiichagwe'babigo'ining Lake Sturgeon Habitat Analysis and Historical Population Estimate for the Winnipeg River System Between Kenora and the Whitedog Dam and Current Population Assessment for Black Sturgeon Lakes (2010-2011)
Ochiichagwe'babigo'ining Ojibway Nation (OON) led a project with the goal of filling in information gaps on the status of Lake Sturgeon and improving the capacity of OON to participate in all aspects of fisheries management. The comprehensive project identified important Lake Sturgeon habitats in need of protection and/or restoration and provided an estimate of historical abundance of Lake Sturgeon in the section of the Winnipeg River system between Kenora and the Whitedog Dam. The main focus was a population assessment of Lake Sturgeon during spawning season. By identifying important sturgeon spawning habitats, community technicians developed the skills required to ensure that future shoreline development does not adversely impact the spawning habitats of the sturgeon. Overall, this project has protected and improved Lake Sturgeon habitat, increased the capacity of OON in fisheries management and contributed to the development of an effective recovery plan.
Engaging the Community in Sturgeon Conservation (2010-2011)
The Nelson River Sturgeon Board (NRSB) undertook a project that educated the general public, fishers and students in local schools on activities that will preserve and improve the declining sturgeon population in the Nelson River. Decades of overfishing have depleted the sturgeon stock in this area. Building on previous information, NRSB can show that there is hope for the sturgeon population in the Nelson River, where the major threat to the sturgeon stocks is subsistence harvesting. This project aimed to educate the community and led to sustainable management of the sturgeon by community members. This project also prepared the communities for participating in the development and implementation of Lake Sturgeon recovery documents.
http://www.nelsonriversturgeon.ca/
Quebec Region
Conservation of Lake Sturgeon and the Woodland Caribou in Kitcisakik, Winneway and Lac-Simon (2010-2011)
The Algonquin communities of Kitcisakik, Lac Simon and Long Point First Nation joined forces in 2010-2011 for the protection of species at risk. The protection of the Woodland Caribou herd in southern Val-d'Or and the protection of Lake Sturgeon in the upper watershed of the Ottawa River were the focus of their concerns and recovery activities.
Education, information sharing, knowledge acquisition and data collection were the main drive of the project. PartnershIPS with Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue and the Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune have enabled the communities to combine traditional and scientific knowledge.
The visual and interactive communication tools developed and shared have supported cooperation with the local population, full process integration and the participation of community members in finding solutions.
Odanak Band Council (2010-2013)
The Odanak Environment and Land Office was established in 2007 and works mainly on studying and protecting species at risk. Since 2007, several inventories (e.g., bird fauna, herpetofauna, flora) were conducted on the various lands in the community. This gave the team an opportunity to acquire a great deal of knowledge in the field and to carry out various conservation projects. Some of these include:
- Snapping and Painted turtles (2010-2011):
- Installation of a bypass fence to limit mortality of females during spawning
- Creation of artificial spawning sites to add to spawning grounds available in the protected area
- Spawning site maintenance and monitoring
- Depredation
- Tolba trail (2011-2012):
- Interpretation trail on wetlands
- Presenting the turtle (i.e., tolba) in its natural environment
- Presenting several medicinal plants (i.e., Waban Akiak) and their traditional uses
- Lake Sturgeon (2012-2013):
- Inventory of spawning sites in the Rivière Saint-François
Gulf Region
A Community-Based Approach to Gathering Historical Knowledge, Educating and Raising Awareness within our First Nation Communities on the Striped Bass, American Eel, Atlantic Salmon and Woodland Caribou (2011-2012)
For generations, Striped Bass, American Eel, Atlantic Salmon, and Woodland Caribou have sustained the Mi'gmaq people. The Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) completed a project aimed at gathering and preserving Mi'gmaq ecological knowledge (MEK) on these four (4) species and their habitat. The purpose of the project was to gain a better understanding of the species as they pertain to the Mi'gmaq in Eel River Bar and Pabineau First Nation, while building the communitie's own capacity to collect qualitative data. The project also aimed at raising awareness and educating community members on issues that these species face. This project allowed the employment of community members to collect qualitative data and resulted in a total of 12 MEK interviews with Elders and Resource users, 64 online species at risk surveys and 75 community MEK surveys. The project also included various educational and awareness raising activities.
http://www.migmaqresource.org/
First Nation Youth Striped Bass and American Eel Initiative (2010-11)
The North Shore Micmac District Council undertook a project aimed at protecting the important habitat of Striped Bass and American Eel and increasing Aboriginal awareness and involvement in recovery planning of species at risk. This project had two main components: 1) the collection of Striped Bass data and 2) Species at Risk Act (SARA) awareness, information and capacity development targeted towards First Nation youths. There was also the beginning of the collection of American Eel Aboriginal traditional knowledge (ATK) to ensure that this information is preserved for future generations. The goals of this project were to help protect the Striped Bass population of the Southern Gulf in its spawning grounds, engage the community in a meaningful dialogue about SARA issues and encourage First Nations individuals to become more proactive in SARA initiatives. The ultimate goal of this project is to engage member bands in developing an action plan for SARA listed species.
Maritimes Region
IKANAWTIKET – Supporting Community Involvement in SARA (2010-2011)
In 2010-2011, Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council (MAPC), through its IKANAWTIKET Aboriginal Environmental Respect Organization, advanced Traditional Ancestral Homelands Mi'kmaq/Maliseet/Passamaquoddy/Aboriginal Peoples involvement in various aspects of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The project 1) encouraged and supported direct involvement of community members in local recovery teams and species assessments, 2) raised awareness of Winter Skate at Oceans Day celebrations, 3) celebrated the International Day of Biodiversity by launching the IKANAWTIKET Book Kespiatuksitew Wsitqamuey: muk nqatmu wetaptu'tip (Species at Risk: leave no footprint), 4) highlighted its species at risk work through the 2010 International Year for Biodiversity and International Union for the Conservation of Nature Countdown 2010 website, and 5) raised awareness of the International Year through various resource governance fora. Also, IKANAWTIKET prepared analyses and commentaries on the draft SARA Policy Framework, legislative review of SARA and Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Equitable Sharing of Benefit under the Convention on Biological Diversity, all of which can be downloaded at the IKANAWTIKET website.
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Marine Species at Risk Project
Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Kogoey Association's – MAMKA
(Qalipu/MFN) (2011-2012)
Mi'kmaw Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA) undertook a project with the overall purpose of participating in the conservation and recovery of marine and freshwater species at risk in the insular Newfoundland (NL) region. The objectives of the project were to: 1) improve the knowledge of American Eel recruitment and migration, 2) gain a better understanding of the abundance of Eels within a selected system, 3) determine the amount of Wolffish by-catch within a selected area for the NL lobster fishery, 4) compile traditional use and knowledge on Wolffish, 5) better understand the presence, distribution, and entanglements of Leatherback Turtle in NL and 6) inform the Aboriginal communities of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band and Miawpukek First Nation on MAMKA species at risk activities. This project filled information gaps on species at risk knowledge, provided the community with an opportunity to participate in and share knowledge on marine and freshwater species at risk and increased species at risk stewardship initiatives within the community.
Marine Species at Risk Project (2010-2011)
Mi'kmaw Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association, which represents the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band (QMFNB) and Miawpukek First Nation (MFN), implemented a project designed to gain valuable data on species at risk, collect traditional information and inform the Aboriginal community about marine/freshwater species at risk. The objectives of the project were to: 1) document the distribution of Banded Killifish in insular Newfoundland, 2) document the recruitment of American Eel elvers, 3) document the migration of adult American Eel, 4) document the presence and tag Atlantic, Spotted and Northern Wolffish in commercial fisheries (e.g., lobster, crab), 5) document the presence and tag Porbeagle, Blue Shark and Shortfin Mako in commercial fisheries (e.g., longline, seine), 6) document the presence of Leatherback Turtle and its threats in the marine environment, 7) collect Aboriginal traditional knowledge on marine species at risk, with a main emphasis on the American Eel, and 8) provide the Aboriginal communities of the QMFNB and MFN with information on marine species at risk as they relate to this Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk project. The project encouraged First Nation participation in the conservation and recovery of marine and freshwater species at risk in insular Newfoundland.
Community Based Coastal Resource Inventory for Nunatsiavut (2010-2011)
The Nunatsiavut Government undertook a series of Community-Based Coastal Resource Inventories (CCRI) to gather marine-based information. Information gathered included species occurrence, traditional fishing areas and marine-related uses, such as fish processing plants and wharves, and possible tourism and recreation resources. The CCRIs provide useful information targeted towards the promotion of economic development, conservation and management within a particular coastal zone. Additionally, data collected under this inventory will be used during future Species at Risk Act listing processes and in the implementation of recovery strategies.
For more information on these projects contact the appropriate Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk Regional Coordinator or Program Manager.
