The Common Voice

Alejandro Frid publishes new book
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: …

New fishing closures proposed for crab
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.

CCIRA hires new staff
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 …

Living ancestors’ dreams in Bella Bella with new Big House
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 …

Guardians engage in oil spill response work
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…

Issue # 10, April 2019
Inside The Common Voice, issue number ten: MPA network updateCCIRA hires new staff, Oceans RFA formalizes collaborative marine management process…

MPA network update
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 …

CCIRA hires new staff
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 …

Oceans RFA formalizes collaborative marine management process
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 …

Groundfish chasing the light for science
Counting fish isn’t easy – especially when counting live fish that are swimming around in the depths of the ocean. But since 2015, CCIRA has been doing just that by towing a video camera equipped with lasers behind a boat. Using data from this work, CCIRA scientists have published a paper in the journal Biological …