First Nations communities in the northern region of Vancouver Island are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for not engaging in prior consultations before initiating commercial krill fishing in what they describe as environmentally sensitive coastal inlet waters.
Hereditary Chief T̕łaḵwagila David Mungo Knox from the Fort Rupert First Nation, also known as the Kwakiutl First Nation, emphasized the importance of DFO discussing fisheries management with coastal First Nations before permitting commercial fishing activities.
“I am advocating for smaller nations like us that lack representation,” stated Knox, highlighting the need for meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities who possess knowledge of stewardship and sustainable practices.
The commercial krill fishery commenced on January 5 and is scheduled to continue until March 31 or until the specified quotas are met. The authorized locations for commercial fishing include Knight Inlet, Bute Inlet, and Jervis Inlet.
Krill, a small crustacean resembling shrimp, play a significant role in marine food chains. Concerns raised by Knox revolve around the incidental capture of non-target species, known as bycatch, associated with the fishing method called trawling, which involves dragging large nets to catch the tiny crustaceans.
Trawling activities in certain areas can impact vital fish species for coastal First Nations, such as ooligan, also known as eulachon or candlefish, and herring. Additionally, Knox is apprehensive about the allowable krill catch as they serve as a critical keystone species supporting ecosystem sustenance across the oceans.
Knox emphasized the necessity for DFO to engage in collective discussions with all northern coastal nations regarding ocean stewardship and conservation practices.
Notably, commercial krill fishing has previously occurred in the same locations. In 2009, the United States implemented a ban on commercial krill fishing off the coast of Washington State, Oregon, and California to protect unmanaged forage species.
DFO stated in a written communication that it manages the euphausiids (krill) fishery through a multi-year plan spanning from 2023 to 2027. The department mentioned its consultations with First Nations, industry stakeholders, and other involved parties.
The krill fishery is managed cautiously with catch limits set at less than one percent of the total biomass. The sustainable management approach includes area-specific quotas, seasonal openings, and a precautionary 500-tonne total allowable catch to safeguard the species.
Furthermore, DFO emphasized the implementation of gear restrictions to minimize bycatch in the krill fishery, with all incidental catches required to be documented by vessel operators and service providers upon return to port.
Commercially harvested krill finds applications in various sectors, including food consumption, sport fishing bait, aquarium feed, and as food for farmed fish, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Dallas Smith, president of the Nanwakolas Council representing multiple First Nations in northern Vancouver Island, echoed the call for enhanced consultation processes in fisheries management.
Smith stressed the necessity for transparent regulations across all fisheries to address concerns like those surrounding the krill fishery that might impact the conservation of wild Pacific salmon populations.
Both Knox and Smith emphasized the importance of inter-nation dialogues to ensure the safeguarding of keystone species and stressed the need for proactive engagement with First Nations to address conservation and management concerns before initiating fishing activities.
