New CCIRA study identifies key habitats for rockfish conservation
What’s at stake when it comes to conservation of fish populations on the Central Coast? Frank Johnson of the Wuikinuxv Nation puts it this way: “We stand to lose a lot. If we lose all the fish, they’ll be no Wuikinuxv.” In other words, as seafaring and fishing people, the culture, livelihood and physical sustenance …
Deep sea expedition highlights value of partnerships for marine conservation
On a March morning this spring, a group of scientists, educators, traditional knowledge holders, and resource managers gathered around a collection of screens on board the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Vector, with coffee cups in hand. They were tired from long days of work, but also excited about the day ahead. Cruising 400 meters below …
Issue #9, April 2018
Issue #9, April 2018 on CCIRA | Inside this issue: Doug Neasloss featured in National Geographic, Science update, Shrinking giant: rockfish research tells a story, local filmmaker highlights need for better oil spill response and more…
Measuring progress with MaPP indicator monitoring
Marine environments are vulnerable to human exploitation, and Central Coast ecosystems are no different. Our territories have suffered from the effects of overfishing and other industries, like forestry, for decades. To preserve our Nations’ way of life, long-term conservation planning and monitoring of environmental changes are critical. Just ask Ernie Tallio, who’s seen the cumulative …
Shrinking giant: rockfish research tells a story
Want to know more about our rockfish research and its ties to our Indigenous rights? Check out our Reports page to see our published scientific papers. Comic by Nicole Burton.
Building resilience: Marine Protected Areas network
Mike Reid remembers when fishing in Heiltsuk territory was easier and far more productive. At age 12, he started commercial fishing with his grandfather and recalls catching their share of halibut, crabs, clams and other local marine staples without much trouble—all fairly close to home. “Now you have to go further, spend more time and burn more fuel,” says Reid…
Science update: CCIRA’s published papers
CCIRA conducts science that matters to our people. All our research is guided by the objectives of our Nations’ marine use plans. And we’ve been busy! Here is a list of the papers we have published in top journals over the last two years. You can find links to these papers on our Reports page. …
Science and traditional knowledge synergy
Guided by the objectives of our Nations’ marine use plans, CCIRA scientists and their collaborators have been hard at work doing research that couples our traditional and local knowledge with modern scientific techniques to tackle questions about marine resources that matter to our people.
Local filmmaker highlights need for better oil spill response
2017 was a big year for Heiltsuk’s Zoe Hopkins. Her debut film Kayaking to Klemtu won the Air Canada Audience Choice Award at the 2017 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. In the film, the primary character, Ella, is on a quest to prevent oil spills in her people’s territory within the Great Bear Rainforest. But …
Conservation win: herring roe fishery suspended
After years of difficulties with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), our Nations won a major victory this spring when DFO agreed to suspend the 2018 commercial herring roe fishery across the Central Coast. Central Coast herring populations have seen major declines from industrial fishing practices. The Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Nations have each taken their own …
