Issue #10

The Common Voice newsletter issue number 10 was published in April of 2019.

A diver swims through a large school of subadult widow rockfish while conducting rockfish research

MPA network update

ByCCIRA

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…

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.

CCIRA hires new staff

ByCCIRA

See all of our team members. Jean-Phillip Sargeant, Marine Response Coordinator Jean has a passion for resource management and the marine environment. After graduating from the University of Victoria with a degree in geography he spent time abroad to acquire a graduate degree in coastal and marine resource management. Jean has had the opportunity to…

Aerial view of the white and blue and green brilliance of the herring spawn in Kitasoo/Xai’xais territory.

Oceans RFA formalizes collaborative marine management process

ByCCIRA

In June 2018, on National Indigenous People’s Day, representatives from 14 First Nations gathered near Prince Rupert, along with officials from Canada’s Federal Government, to announce a landmark agreement for working together to protect and manage the North Pacific Coast. The Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection, often referred to simply as…

Ernie (right) and Sandie (left) are on a boat and sitting on either side of a metal crab trap full of crabs. Both are wearing large, dark green rain coats. Sandie is holding a clipboard. The water behind them looks cold and grey, and there are evergreens in the distance.

Crab pilot project a positive step towards collaborative fisheries management

ByCCIRA

Together, the project partners conducted an extensive assessment of current crab science. This included the science our Nations have conducted within our territories that incorporates our Indigenous and local knowledge. This illustrates DFO’s willingness to accept Indigenous knowledge and Western science as complementary ways of knowing…

Heiltsuk Guardian Watchmen, Jordan Wilson (right), and CCIRA’s Marine Implementation Coordinator, Anna Gerrard, conducting field research.

Incorporating Indigenous perspectives in research

ByCCIRA

Under the direction of our Science Coordinator, Alejandro Frid, CCIRA has established a record of publishing in top scientific journals. This growing body of work illustrates CCIRA’s commitment to doing rigorous research on marine resources that matter to our Nations, while also illustrating how Indigenous knowledge and Western science can complement one another. In collaboration…

A diver swims through a large school of subadult widow rockfish while conducting rockfish research
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New CCIRA study identifies key habitats for rockfish conservation

ByCCIRA

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…