Fishing for food, and fishing for a living, have also been at the core of ‘Namgis culture and economy. For thousands of years the ‘Namgis have harvested over 50 different marine resources that together provide a healthy diet from the sea. As well, marine resources were traded first with other indigenous communities, and later with non-First Nation interests. In the early 1900s the ‘Namgis competed extremely well in the commercial fishing industries that evolved to harvest local and Fraser River salmon stocks, halibut, herring, and other fish species.

Unfortunately, fisheries management policies imposed by Canada from the 1960s onward have been designed to eliminate ‘Namgis participation in the commercial fishing industry. These policies have favoured large fishing corporations, the commercial sport fishing industry, and multi-national owners of environmentally destructive salmon farms. At present, current ‘Namgis owners of commercial fishing vessels are holding on by the skin of their teeth. Equally alarming is the fact that 30 fish farms located in and near ‘Namgis marine territory are believed to be polluting the sea with chemicals, feces, and masses of sea lice. Local salmon stocks that are already under pressure from impacts of industrial logging are now no longer able to also survive harvests.

What can be done to halt the process of destroying the fishing economy of small coastal communities? First, the ‘Namgis First Nation will never surrender its right to access marine resources within its territory. Second, the ‘Namgis have started work to develop its own management regimes. The ‘Namgis are working with Ecotrust Canada and other organizations to fill the research and management gaps left by the apparent abandonment of Queen Charlotte Strait and the Broughton Archipelago by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Finally, the ‘Namgis are persisting in efforts to engage the governments of Canada and British Columbia so that constitutionally guaranteed ‘Namgis aboriginal interests are respected.

 Recent Projects:

Fisheries and Marine Resources Policy

Up until 2004 the ‘Namgis First Nation was an active partner in the Kwakiutl Territorial Fisheries commission (KTFC). Due to ‘Namgis disagreement over KTFC policy changes related to finfish farming and other issues, a decision was taken to withdraw from the KTFC and to pursue independent management of fish and marine resources within ‘Namgis marine territory. In 2004-5 a ‘Namgis First Nation Fisheries and Marine Resources Policy was developed with funding support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This policy document is now being utilized to guide the creation of a greatly expanded ‘Namgis capacity to maintain a full range of stock assessment, environmental base-line monitoring, and fisheries management activities.

Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) Agreement

In 2005-6 the ‘Namgis First Nation signed its first independent Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) Agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Funding associated with the signing of this one-year Agreement is allowing the ‘Namgis to employ 4 staff members, to access 11 commercial communal fishing licences, and to purchase equipment including a fisheries research and patrol vessel.

Opposition to Salmon Farms

The ‘Namgis First Nation opposes the location and operation of closed net-pen salmon farms within or adjacent to its traditional territory. It is the position of the ‘Namgis that salmon aquaculture should take place in shore-based closed containers, where sewage and chemical contaminants can be processed in properly designed treatment facilities. The BC salmon aquaculture industry refuses to take this path of action. Instead, they maintain approximately 30 fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago that it is believed inflict negative impacts including: infestation of wild salmon with sea lice, pollution of clam beaches, destruction of seafloor ecosystems, and past use of ‘predator’ control devices that harm orcas and other sea life.

 Marine Environment Monitoring Strategy

Many members of the ‘Namgis First Nation believe that Canada and British Columbia have ceased to commit the time, energy, or expertise necessary to monitor the environmental health of ‘Namgis marine territory. Due to factors including massive staff and budget cutbacks, short-sighted commitment to salmon farming, implementation of fisheries management policies that favour large corporations, and the gutting of environmental protection legislation, BC and Canada have essentially ceased to be stewards of a precious marine resource. The ‘Namgis First Nation has attempted on many occasions to influence positive changes to this situation, efforts that unfortunately have not yet been successful.

In response to the deterioration of environmental quality the ‘Namgis First Nation has initiated a program to develop and maintain an independent environmental quality monitoring regime for its marine territory. This program will assist resource managers and harvesters to better achieve sustainable marine resource stewardship.