The Common Voice
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 …
Issue # 8, April 2017
We published the eighth issue of The Common Voice in April of 2017…
Rockfish research linked to indigenous rights
Fifty years ago Charlie Mason could hop in a boat, travel a short distance from his home in Klemtu, catch enough rockfish for a meal or two, and then head back to town. “Today it is not that easy,” he says.
Rockfish research: key results and potential management actions
Over the past 50 years the central coast has seen a significant increase in recreational and commercial rockfish fishing. Our Nations are concerned about the impact these fisheries are having on this important food resource. In response CCIRA launched a rockfish research project in 2013. Here, we present a summary of results from a recent rockfish study in our territories.
