There is no relationship more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples. Our government is committed to advancing a renewed relationship with Indigenous communities, based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. As part of this commitment, we are working to modernize and strengthen nation-to-nation, government-to-government structures, and to support a more collaborative approach to fisheries management by the Government of Canada and Indigenous Peoples.

“There is no relationship more important to our government than the one with Indigenous Peoples. At Fisheries and Oceans Canada we are coming through on this commitment. This new Fraser Salmon Collaborative Management Agreement marks an important milestone in our commitment to strengthen nation-to-nation structures to support Indigenous capacity building, and the vision of self-determination. Not only does this renewed collaboration help secure the sustainability of our fisheries for the long-term, it ensures that moving forward, decisions made are based on shared principles for the protection and conservation of Fraser salmon stocks.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Today marks a historic nation-to-nation moment between Indigenous peoples and Canada. We have long fought for our rightful place at the table in the management of the fisheries resources that are critical to our communities well being. We look forward to working collaboratively on behalf of Fraser salmon.“

Darren Haskell, President

• FSMC includes 76 member First Nations representing just over 50 per cent of British Columbia (BC) First Nations with access to Fraser salmon fisheries.

• The five species of Pacific salmon are Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye. Management issues affecting steelhead salmon can also be addressed through this agreement.

• Salmon are a part of intricate food webs in both their freshwater and marine environments, affecting everything from tiny zooplankton, to large mammals like whales and bears, to birds of prey.

• Chinook salmon are important for a myriad of reasons including as prey of choice for Southern Resident killer whales. Culturally, Chinook are an important species for many British Columbia (BC) First Nations.

• The Fraser Salmon Collaborative Management Agreement reflects years of hard work and negotiations based on a framework agreement signed in August 2016.

• The Collaborative Management Agreement provides for DFO and Indigenous communities to collaboratively manage Fraser salmon fisheries, by establishing a collaborative governance structure, increasing the direct participation of Indigenous peoples in fisheries management, and establishing principles to guide discussions on shared DFO and Indigenous priorities.

• Part of implementing this new agreement will be consultations with First Nations who are not FSMC members to inform them about the process.

• FSMC is always open to new members and the agreement is set up to be inclusive.

Associated links

• Fraser Salmon Management Council

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
613-314-4591
marie-pascale.desrosiers@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Neil Todd
Operations Management
Fraser Salmon Management Council
250-378-4235 / 250-378-7581
neil@nicolatribal.org

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