CCIRA hires new staff

ByCCIRA January 2, 2020April 13, 2020

A close up of Desiree Lawson on a beach holding a sand dollar.

Desiree Lawson, MaPP implementation coordinator

Desiree is Haíɫzaqv and lives in her home territory in Bella Bella. She is passionate about supporting the Nations as they assert their inherent title and rights by practicing their ancestral laws. She understands the importance of indigenous stewardship; the need to respect all living beings and their right to live is a top priority for Desiree. In 2017 she graduated with a degree in Natural Resource Protection from VIU. Prior to that she also received a diploma in Resource Management Officer Technology. The experience Desiree received from the Haíɫzaqv Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD) in numerous planning roles, as well as a Guardian Watchman has provided great knowledge of indigenous governance, laws and stewardship.

A portrait of Desiree holding a sand dollar on a beach.

Issue #11

MPA Network and Fisheries Reconciliation Agreement Create Hope for New Opportunities

ByCCIRA April 17, 2020February 23, 2021

25 years from now things could look very different on the Central Coast. Ocean ecosystems could be healthier and fish populations more robust with a thriving food fishery for local people. These outcomes are some of the possible benefits from the implementation of the Government-to-Government-Government Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network process –…

Aerial view of islands from the central coast

Issue #7

Guardian Watchmen Essential for MaPP

ByCCIRA July 6, 2016November 10, 2017

The Heiltsuk are not the only Nation humming with activity from their Guardian Watchmen. With funding from the Central Coast Marine Planning Partnership process (MaPP), each central coast Nation…

Atnarko Sockeye Recovery Plan report title page on an image of lake and mountain.

Issue #11

Nuxalk Atnarko sockeye study an example of collaborative research done right

ByCCIRA April 10, 2020April 13, 2020

In response to the impacts on local people and ecosystems, a recovery plan was written in 2016 by the Nuxalk Nation in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)…

Guardian Watchman Ernie Mason labeling crab traps.

Issue #11

New fishing closures proposed for crab

ByCCIRA January 9, 2020April 10, 2020

The two key findings from our published research papers are: (1) our catches have declined such that we cannot meet our FSC needs, and (2) fishing closures can help crab populations recover.

Michael has a dark brown beard, and is wearing a grey cap and blue SFU hoodie. He's bending forwards and seems to be working with other people who are crouched or standing on the beach around him. He is standing on the sand and the ocean is visible directly behind him. He is smiling widely.

Issue #10