Summary

• Government has provided the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia (FNFC) with $2 million to support work on joint priorities related to fish, water, aquatic ecosystems and coastal health over three years
• Funding will help First Nations and the Province work together on fisheries and aquatic resource planning, sustaining healthy watersheds, supporting communities, recovering wild salmon, strengthening local economies and healthy coastal ecosystems for generations
• Supporting collaborative dialogue and increased capacity planning contributes to the informed stewardship and long-term health of fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystems, and sustainable livelihoods for communities throughout B.C.

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Efforts to protect and restore fish populations throughout British Columbia are getting a boost through stronger collaboration between First Nations and government.

The Province has provided the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia (FNFC) with $2 million in funding to support work on fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystem health over three years.

“Working in partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. to increase our healthy fish populations benefits all British Columbians,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This funding will help FNFC build on the work they have already done, to restore and maintain aquatic and coastal ecosystems and promote sustainable use and conservation for future generations.”

The funding will increase capacity and collaboration between First Nations and the Province to help support provincial planning and management of fisheries, aquatic resources and watersheds, as well as enable the partners to work with the federal government on areas of shared interest.

"First Nations are at the forefront of conversations about the stewardship of fish, water and aquatic ecosystems within their territories,” said Stu Barnes, executive director, First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. “For that participation to be meaningful, co-ordination and resources need to be in place, and capacity funding from the government allows us to provide that support to First Nations.”

What the funding will be used for

The funding continues a long-standing partnership between government and FNFC. This builds on previous funding agreements with FNFC that help support fish, including wild salmon, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystem health. It will support stronger co-ordination of First Nations engagement in shared initiatives, such as:

• the ongoing implementation of the B.C.-FNFC memorandum of understanding (MOU) and Declaration Act Action Plan
• the Trilateral Salmon Accord to Address the Decline of Wild Pacific Salmon
• implementation of the Coastal Marine Strategy
• support for the B.C.-First Nations Water Table and First Nations Water Caucus

Ongoing collaboration between FNFC and the Province

The Province and FNFC signed an MOU in 2019, which was renewed in January 2023. The MOU supports First Nations in engaging with provincial ministries to address shared goals of supporting healthy marine and freshwater species, building resilient aquatic ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of these resources.

In June 2023, the Province provided $17.25 million to support wild salmon recovery and Indigenous capacity in communities throughout B.C. The bulk of the funding, $15 million, was shared equally between the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the FNFC to work to protect, conserve and restore the abundance of Pacific wild salmon in B.C. Science, Indigenous knowledge and data are being used to advance habitat restoration and climate adaptation. The remaining $2.25 million went to the FNFC to support this work.

The Trilateral Salmon Accord is a joint initiative among the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and FNFC as secretariat for B.C. First Nations. Signed in June 2024, the accord established a formal commitment among all three parties to work collaboratively on a joint action plan to address the decline of wild Pacific salmon. Funding from the Province enables FNFC to provide secretariat and facilitation support for First Nations engagement in this work.

The Coastal Marine Strategy has been co-developed between First Nations and the Province to outline a long-term vision for the coast of B.C. and the actions needed to achieve this vision. The strategy is being implemented over 20 years, in co-operation with First Nations, organizations and communities along the coast.

The B.C.-First Nations Water Table is a collaborative process that is made up of regional delegates from the First Nations Water Caucus and multiple provincial ministries with responsibilities for fresh water. Water table delegates make consensus-based, co-developed recommendations about matters of mutual interest related to fresh water and watershed security of provincewide interest. FNFC acts as the secretariat for the First Nations Water Caucus and, in partnership with the Province, acts as the joint secretariat of the B.C.-First Nations Water Table.

Why capacity building matters

Supporting engagement between First Nations and the Province in this collaborative work delivers clear benefits, such as:

• increasing capacity and collaboration for planning and management of fisheries, marine and aquatic resources at the provincewide level
• informing stewardship, restoration, and planning for responsible marine recreation and tourism
• improving the long-term sustainability of fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystems in B.C.
• contributing to sustainable livelihoods for local communities
• contributing to wild salmon recovery, long-term watershed health and resiliency

Funding these priorities contributes toward building First Nations capacity and strengthening intergovernmental relationships and partnerships. First Nations are frequently able to provide input and expertise and to support the delivery of initiatives related to the health of fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystems. Providing ongoing capacity support for First Nations helps build effectiveness and deliver positive long-term outcomes. Continuing this critical work reflects government’s ongoing commitment to working with First Nations and the FNFC to improve the long-term sustainability of fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystems in B.C.

Quick Facts:

• FNFC’s mandate is to support collective First Nations’ interests and priorities in fisheries and aquatic resources, provincewide.
• FNFC builds capacity and develops structures and processes to bring First Nations together, advance shared interests, facilitate collaboration with other governments, and amplify First Nations voices on fisheries and aquatic resource matters.
• This work supports meaningful First Nations participation in the governance, planning and management of fisheries and aquatic resources in B.C.

Learn More:

• First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia: https://www.fnfisheriescouncil.ca/
• Read the 2023 MOU between FNFC and B.C. here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/fish-fish-habitat/fishery-resources/2022_bc-fnfc_mou_signed_january.pdf
• Learn about B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/bc-coastal-marine-strategy
• For more information on fisheries and aquaculture in the province, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/fisheries-and-aquaculture/minister-of-agriculture-s-advisory-council-on-finfish-aquaculture