The Indigenous Fisheries Team takes on a wide variety of projects and programs in Member Communities to increase participation within commercial fishery, the Bycatch Monitoring Program, and ensure effective integration of community input into fisheries management and implementation.

They provide tags to commercial fishery, as well as the food social and ceremonial (FSC), and Netukulimk fisheries. They aim to increase participation within Member Communities within commercial fishery sectors. Staff attend meetings and report on changes that may affect fishing fleets or licenses.

Along with our commercial fisheries liaison coordinator, the bycatch monitoring team works with fishery managers to ensure they are enforcing the regulations set out in their licenses. They also attend meetings with resource management officer technicians (RMOTs) and identify training needs to build capacity.

The Indigenous Fisheries Team works on Treaty Rights Stewardship (TRP). TRP Keepers, community liaisons and the fisheries biologist ensure effective integration of community input into fisheries management and implementation, and maintain high-quality communication with harvesters. They monitor fishing activities to ensure compliance with established TRP Plans and regulations, including catch limits, gear restrictions, and closures. The coordinator supports day-to-day scheduling, reporting, information sharing, and implementation of outreach activities to build trust and foster consensus across the Mi’kmaq fishing communities. They serve as a liaison between Mi’kmaq communities and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (ANSMC) fisheries team to convey community concerns, preferences, and traditional ecological knowledge. Aiding in the development and dissemination of education materials that promote responsible fisheries management, planning and consultation and negotiations meetings and provide community perspectives to guide decision-making.

Got questions? Email us at darfm@cmmns.com.