Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver) — The First Nations Summit today released the attached open letter to the Hon. Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada opposing any plans for a commercial roe herring fishery in 2014.
Also attached is a copy of a more detailed letter and a First Nations Summit resolution sent to Minister Shea on March 14, 2014.
The First Nations Summit resolution entitled Support for opposition of the 2014 commercial roe herring fisheries in the waters of Haida Gwaii, Central Coast and West Coast of Vancouver Island, was passed by consensus at the March 2014 First Nations Summit Chiefs’ Assembly and states;
Therefore be it resolved;
1. That the First Nations Summit Chiefs in Assembly express support for:
- a. The Haida, Heiltsuk and Nuu-chah-nulth nations working collaboratively in opposition to the 2014 Commercial Roe Herring Fisheries in the waters of Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and West Coast of Vancouver Island due to on-going conservation concerns for herring in their territories;
- b. The need for the Fisheries Minister and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) staff to work with First Nations on, but not limited to, herring conservation, joint management and stock assessment in 2014; and
- c. The need for the Fisheries Minister, DFO, and the commercial herring industry to jointly work with First Nations to resolve this matter to avoid conflict.