Five Nuu-chah-nulth nations will take part in a modest chinook fishery starting on April 19, building on the success of their 2012 chinook fisheries.
The five Nations are trying to negotiate and implement rights-based fisheries for all species in their territories. The 2013 suuhaa (chinook) fishery is another small step in the right direction, said Don Hall, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Fisheries Manager.
In 2009 the BC Supreme Court affirmed the five nations involved in the court case have a right to catch and sell fish of all species into the commercial market. In her ruling Justice Nicole Garson ordered Canada to negotiate with the plaintiffs’ access to the fisheries within two years.
The nations taking part in the court case and fisheries are Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Tla-o-qui-aht.
At an October 2012 fisheries meeting between Nuu-chah-nulth and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Hall reported the negotiations between the parties were floundering. More than three years of stalls and delays on part of DFO has frustrated the Ha’wiih, Nations, and their fishers.
Finally, at a March 15 Council of Ha’wiih (Chiefs) meeting, Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna Lewis George stood up and said enough is enough. Through his speaker he announced that Ahousaht fishermen would be out on the water by April 15 to take part in a T’aaq-wiihak fishery with or without the approval of DFO. T’aaq-wiihak means fishing with permission of the Ha’wiih.
According to Kiista, Keith Atleo, Maquinna and the rest of the Ha’wiih were frustrated with DFO.
“He said if the sporties are out there fishing then there’s no reason our guys can’t be out there too,” Kiista said.
“Our Ha’wiih have created a positive for us; now that DFO is onside we should have no problems finding a market for our salmon,” said Kiista.
Several weeks after Maquinna’s declaration that he would open a suuhaa (chinook salmon) fishery for his people, DFO indicated their support for a salmon fishery opening.
“They have agreed to an opening starting April 19 for all five nations,” said Kiista.
According to Kiista, Ahousaht will be using the 2013 fish management plan developed by the five Nations in their proposal for the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries.
And because DFO is sanctioning the suuhaa fishery, trollers and mosquito fleet fishermen taking part in the salmon fishery have better access to buyers.
Excitement in the communities is at a high as local fishermen acquire necessary paperwork and flags to take part.
Landing sites in Tofino and Zeballos have been identified and fishers and buyers for the salmon are starting to gear up.
