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 –…
2019 was a bad year for salmon returns coast-wide in British Columbia, and an international team of scientists has been trying to figure out why. This March, the research team travelled back to the open Pacific for a second expedition to study the ocean survival of salmon, and this year CCIRA’s Field Technician, Tristan Blaine,…
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)…
As CCIRA’s Science Coordinator, Alejandro Frid has established an impressive record of publishing research papers in esteemed journals. Much of this research is aimed at enhancing marine conservation by integrating science with Indigenous knowledge. But on his own time, he has also published two books! His most recent book came out this fall. Changing Tides:…
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.
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…
In October of 2019 the Heiltsuk Nation officially opened the first new Big House in their territory in 120 years. As we move into the next decade, CCIRA is excited for the new beginnings the Big House signifies. Speaking to reporters at the time of the opening, Heiltsuk’s William Housty said, “there’s a sense of…
On September 17, 2019, the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardian Watchmen were on the water conducting oil-spill response fieldwork, when they heard a call for help over the VHF…
Inside The Common Voice, issue number ten: MPA network updateCCIRA hires new staff, Oceans RFA formalizes collaborative marine management process…
Work continues on the Canada-British Columbia Marine Protected Area Network Strategy—a government-to-government-to-government effort to create a marine protected area network within 13 bioregions in Canada, including the Central Coast of BC. This work—co-led by provincial and federal agencies along with 17 First Nations (including Central Coast Nations)—is critical to protect marine resources that are in…