This spring if you happen to be fishing or canoeing in the Middle River in Victoria County you might encounter a strange looking contraption floating on the water. Resembling a giant funnel on its side, it’s a smolt wheel, also known by the technical term–”rotary screw trap”.

The smolt wheel belongs to UINR, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, which is working on a research project with partners CEPI Salmon Task Team, CBU’s Bras d’Or Institute and the Fisheries guardians in Wagmatcook and Waycobah, to contribute to our knowledge on why salmon are on the decline in Cape Breton.

The wheel collects young salmon smolt, safely directing them into a tank where they are counted. Smolt are young salmon that migrate each spring from the rivers where they were born and grew up in, to the ocean where they become adults. Every day technicians monitor the collection and once sampled, the smolt are set free to continue their journey.

The wheel will be in the river for several weeks, from the beginning of the migration until the run is over. The purpose of the project is to estimate the number of smolt in Middle River and to collect biological information about the salmon population in Cape Breton rivers.

Lisa Young, UINR’s Executive Director explains “This research project is just one of our initiatives at UINR to help address the serious decline in plamu (Atlantic Salmon) in our rivers. We recently held a two-day workshop that brought together Mi’kmaq and non-native fishers to gather traditional knowledge and first-hand experience from the people who fish our rivers and have observed the changes. Paired with this scientific study, we will be a step closer to understanding the situation we are facing and what tools will need to be developed to address the salmon’s decline.”

Funding for this project has come from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.

lisa@uinr.ca

Shrimp A Science Advisory meeting was be held in mid-December and all indications are that a 10% reduction in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) will be requested for 2011. Advice from science evaluation and industry will determine the 2011 overall TAC. Science recommended a 10% reduction and the shrimp fishing communities of Unama’ki encouraged industry representatives to follow that advice.

Snow Crab Area 23/24 biomass has peaked and indications for the 2011 TAC will not be known until the spring Science meeting. All Unama’ki communities caught their quotas last year. Not all non-native license holders caught their quota because some license holders went over, so the overall TAC was reached and the fishery was shut down for the year. Industry recommended the fishery start on April 1 for 2011. DFO will review this request. Science recommends a slight decrease or maintaining status quo this year. Industry will make recommendations which will be considered by DFO prior to the beginning of the season.

Area 19’s 2010 quota was caught within two weeks. Indications are that a 10–15% increase will be supported by science and this advice will be reviewed and a management meeting in early March will determine what the TAC will be, based on the science and industry recommendations.

Indications are that the prices for snow crab will be higher than the last few years in the Southern Gulf and Maritimes Region.

Scallops The spring survey will determine the TAC for the 2011 scallop quota. The interim quotas for SPA 1A is 100 tonnes, SPA 1B is 100 tonnes, SPA 3 is 50 tonnes and 140 tonnes for SPA4 .

Lobster All areas enjoyed a slight increase in catch in 2010 but unfortunately, prices remained low. Prices are starting to slowly rise. Combined with increased operational costs, this did not result in a very profitable year for most areas.

Herring Any information on herring in the Bras d’Or Lakes would be appreciated, so that we can pass the information along to DFO for future research and studies on whether herring are coming back to numbers once seen in the Lakes.

Mackerel An unusual trend continued this year with mackerel not coming close to the Cape Breton shores. Many attribute this to warm waters close to shore changing the mackerel’s migration habits. It has been five years since commercial quantities have been available for fishermen.

Groundfish Area 5ZE (Georges Bank) experienced a cut in quotas this year because of the reduction in cod numbers.Cod is a major bycatch and when fishing for other species, such as haddock, bycatch is inevitable. Precautions are taken to reduce bycatch and increase cod numbers.

hubert@uinr.ca

Several months ago, with funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sage Environmental Program and the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation, UINR hired researcher Matthew Bryden to do a study on exactly what scientific information is out there on this important species. His research was led by the findings from the CSI (Collaborative Salmon Initiative) conference Dialogue on Plamu/Atlantic Salmon in Cape Breton, held in June of 2006.

Matthew’s task was to find out what information was available, who holds it and how accessible it is. This brought him to a wide variety of organizations around Cape Breton including the Margaree Salmon Association, Cape Breton University, libraries at Fisheries and Oceans Canada  and Parks Canada, ADI, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife, Environment Nova Scotia and Fisheries and Aquaculture Nova Scotia. He also spoke to fisheries guardians in Eskasoni.

Much of the information that Matthew found focused on the Margaree River, “Margaree River is important economically and, as an indexed river, it is the one that others in the area are most often compared to.”

Matthew has been impressed on both the amount of work organizations have been doing and the amount of time that salmon has been studied. “I  found information going back to the 1930s but generally speaking, the amount of research being done today has dwindled as stocks declined and the economic importance was reduced. There are fewer rivers being monitored today and the amount of monitoring has also been scaled back.”

Matthew is working with Membertou Geomatics to set up an online database that will allow researchers to access all of the information that he has found. In addition to the titles of the work and short abstracts of what the research contains, researchers will be able to locate where that information is stored or located.

“Salmon people have been very helpful in sharing their information with me and it is amazing how much work has been done and continues to be done by groups like the Margaree Salmon Association, DFO and CSI Cape Breton. If their commitment to the species is any indication, salmon should have a brighter future in Unama’ki.”

CSI Cape Breton is working on several projects to help plamu in Unama’ki. A Traditional Ecological Knowledge workshop is being planned to gather first-hand accounts of Elders and fishers on what they have seen over the years and their ideas on solutions.

As a further step, UINR is working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to set up a smolt wheel in Middle River to help estimate the number of salmon smolt making their way downstream. A smolt wheel floats in the river, directing fish into a tank where they are counted and studied before being released. This will allow us to estimate the salmon numbers in the river and get biological information that could help us address salmon decline.

The workshop will focus on gathering traditional knowledge from Elders and other resource users in the community. The workshop on March 7 takes place from 6:00–9:00 pm with dinner followed by presentations and discussion. The second day will focus on participants sharing traditional knowledge.

Lisa Young, UINR’s Executive Director, explains, “We believe that it is important to bring everyone together to improve the understanding between cultures and to illustrate that we all have the same goals–the protection and improvement of salmon habitat in our rivers. A traditional talking circle will end the workshop, giving the participants an opportunity to express their opinions and contribute to the education process.”

The workshop will introduce a new CSI document: “Stewardship Framework for the Monitoring, Assessment and Enhancement of Plamu/Atlantic Salmon Populations and Their Habitat in Unama’ki/Cape Breton.” It outlines a five-year plan to address CSI’s stewardship goals.

Plamu/salmon are important in the history and culture of both Mi’kmaq and non-native peoples and everyone shares a concern on the species’ declining populations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada identified 44 rivers that currently support or have been known in the past to support plamu/ salmon populations. Other rivers that drain into the ocean could potentially support populations.

Scientific and anecdotal reports indicate that most plamu/salmon populations here are in decline or are at low population size.

Of the six rivers in Cape Breton that are regularly assessed, only three are above or near to their spawning requirement. All harvest of plamu/salmon in eastern Cape Breton have been closed and recreational retention fisheries are only allowed in some rivers in western Cape Breton.

The future of the resource is uncertain, especially in the face of continuing environmental pressure from land use practices and water management.

Lisa continues, “A stewardship strategy must recognize the treaty and aboriginal rights of the Mi’kmaq as well as the economic importance of the recreational fishery. Our strategy focuses on sustainability: how to conserve or enhance salmon populations while meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability is particularly important given that all planning and recovery initiatives will require the support and participation of community groups and the general public of Cape Breton Island.”

Consideration of watershed characteristics and the impacts of human activities on reproduction, survival and growth in aquatic environments is an important component in conservation or recovery initiatives.

Direction is provided on two aspects of habitat conservation: its protection and its restoration.

The strategy gives direction on where groups can access information to assist in their activities, including measuring the quality of the existing habitat, and ways in which habitat protection and restoration activities can be determined and prioritized.

Lisa concludes, “Our ultimate goal is to provide direction and support to community groups who want to conserve, rebuild or restore salmon populations in Unama’ki/Cape Breton rivers for the benefit of everyone.”

lisa@uinr.ca

To keep our readers up-to-date on the state of Unama’ki Mi’kmaq fisheries, here is an update on the 2010 season so far.

Lobster prices showed a slight improvement over last year because of the slow recovery of the economy. On average, the price was 10% to 20% more than last year. The slight improvements in price and landings are promising and we hope this trend will continue to levels seen a few years ago with prices in the $6 per pound range. Most fishing areas experienced an increase in catch rates which was a welcomed relief after the devastating 2009 season that saw record lows for prices and catch rates. The 2010 season started off with low prices due to record catches throughout the Maritimes, but as the season continued prices showed a slight improvement. Some areas saw no change in catch and price, while others experienced small catch and price increases.

Shrimp–The Scotian Shelf (SFA 13, 14 and 15) experienced a large recruitment in biomass which increased the 2010 total allowable catch. With fewer Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp (SFA 12) available this year, the price increased slightly and with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Unama’ki communities could generate more revenue from the high biomass and potential for increased shrimp prices in the upcoming years. Unama’ki communities involved in shrimp fishing have an interest in the proper management of the resource and are active in co-management with other users and DFO.

Snow crab–The snow crab biomass is at its peak in Areas 23 and 24 which translates to increases in total allowable catches for each community-held license. Unfortunately, this increase is slightly offset by DFO’s decision to issue another license in Area 23 in the 2009 season. This wasn’t felt this year because of the increase in available biomass, but as biomass continues to fall, every affected license will feel the impact of the newly-issued license. Prices are beginning to increase and we expect them to continue to increase over the next few years as the economy recovers. With snow crab supply in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 12 and 19) at the lowest biomass seen in years and an anticipated slow recovery, we should see the world market paying higher prices. This year, the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Area 19) experienced a 64% decline in total allowable catch over last year and as a result, fishermen caught their quota in a short period. This helped reduce operating costs but not potential revenue. An increase in total allowable catch in Areas 23 and 24 helped Unama’ki communities generate revenue for their communities after experiencing low prices in the snow crab and lobster seasons.

Ground Fish–The ground fish industry remained stable over the past year with the majority of landings coming from Georges Bank. The industry has moved away from the coast of Southern Nova Scotia and mainly focused on the South Western end in areas off Yarmouth and Shelburne in zones 4x and 5z (Georges Bank). Unfortunately, as more species don’t recover from over-fishing, more species could end up on the Species-At-Risk listing, limiting fishing and making significant changes in future fishing patterns and locations. Fortunately, Unama’ki communities that fish for Groundfish are specialized in fishing for certain species and may not be affected in management decisions protecting certain species or areas.

Scallops–The Bay of Fundy scallop fishery has remained stable. Prices and the total allowable catch has remained at around the same level as in the past few years. This is a well-managed fishery with yearly surveys ensuring that the biomass is stable and available for fishermen who rely on this fishery commercially as well as for food, social and ceremonial use.

UINR currently holds a seat on the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative, a group made up of academics, provincial representatives, NGOs, DFO, shipping, oil and gas, environmental groups, fishermen and concerned citizens that discuss management concerns and issues in the Eastern Scotian Shelf (ESSIM Area). We meet regularly to discuss items of interest to ensure that the ESSIM area is properly managed and cared for and that no one group can take advantage of or abuse the area. Eskasoni’s Crane Cove Seafoods participates in the meetings to ensure that the views of its fishery are known to the other participants of ESSIM.

UINR and the five Mi’kmaq Unama’ki communities also hold seats on the NORIGS3 coalition. This group works with a united approach to stop oil and gas exploration on Georges Bank. This is the only area that is still lucrative in ground fish and is a spawning area for many different types of species. Oil and gas exploration on Georges Bank could have a devastating effect on the Unama’ki communities as well as the Nova Scotian economy that relies on it.

hubert@uinr.ca

I am the Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator for Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR). UINR is an umbrella organization that represents the five Mi’kmaq communities of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island). UINR tries to help the five Mi’kmaq communities and non native communities better manage its natural resources that were given to us by the Creator.

There are five Mi’kmaq communities in Unama’ki that fish snow crab in areas 19, 23 and 24. In total seven of the 13 Mi’kmaq communities fish snow crab on the Scotian Shelf with an approximate population of 10,000 people representing approximately 74% of the total Mi’kmaq population of Nova Scotia (13564 total). This equates to 21.5 licenses in Area 23 and 8.5 licenses in Area 24. In addition to the licenses that the Mi’kmaq communities currently own, one also holds a fixed allocation.

The 30 licenses and fixed quota equates to approximately 176 jobs for the seven communities. These jobs means that 176 families benefit from employment and a sense of well-being and belonging that being part of a community provide.

The money that is generated from the snow crab fishery and the commercial fisheries goes directly back to the community. The Chiefs and councillors of each community determine how to best allocate the money that is generated from commercial fishing enterprises. Money that is generated for each community goes towards essential services within each community such as housing, education, infrastructure, social services, health, community services, job creation, community enterprises and improved well being. Snow crab jobs provided opportunities and increased well being that did not exist prior to the Marshall decision. We now have people training and going back to school to provide more opportunities for themselves and their families.

When you consider the amount of money generated from the fishery and the amount of jobs it creates, that does not equate to a moderate livelihood to each community member. In most communities snow crab revenue is used to help bail out other fisheries that are losing money, in the hopes that the employees can accumulate enough income and enough employment insurance benefits to help them through the non-fishing season. Chiefs and Councils decide for the communities on how best to benefit the most people through work projects and supporting essential services as well as supporting businesses and fisheries that are not profitable in the name of job creation. As you can see there is dependence on the snow crab fishery. We realize the importance of not fishing at all costs and want this resource to be there for generations to come to help our communities and its people, therefore we support science recommendations and advice.

We feel that the definition of moderate livelihood has not been taken seriously. No moderate livelihood agreements have been honoured since the Marshall decision. The Marshall Response Initiative was a great thing for our communities as things were much worse prior to this decision but they are a long way from where we want them to be. More needs to be done to support economic opportunities and employment opportunities within Mi’kmaq communities and more access to the snow crab industry is a start.

The snow crab industry on the Scotian Shelf is in good condition because of the cuts and management decisions that participants made in the past. This resulted in a record high abundance of crab this year as the biomass has reached its peak and now is heading for a decline but the Southern Gulf TAC is 64% less this year than last. This is a natural occurrence in snow crab and something that is easy to predict, whereas prices and political involvement is not.

The TAC is now at high levels never seen before but, we have unfortunately had to live with a low price in the past few years because of the economy. With low prices for crab and increased operating costs communities had to adjust their budgets to compensate and make decisions that affect their community members well-being. Any negative adjustment in quota affects the seven Mi’kmaq communities that fish snow crab and its approximately 10,000 members. This includes the new license that was issued, as well as if the proposed sharing formula was to be implemented. Less quota available for the First Nation communities means less jobs and less money for essential services in its communities.

The IFMP did not support additional access to the snow crab areas of area 23 and 24 as it stated that the fishery is fully subscribed. The seven Mi’kmaq communities of Nova Scotia that fish on the Scotian Shelf have asked for more access prior to the Rhyno decision and were denied just to watch the Minister of the day issue a new license without any fee to a non-native and no benefit to any Mi’kmaq community.

The Supreme Court decision should have been considered prior to making the Rhyno decision. The Rhyno decision made us lose faith in DFO and the entire process and we are left to question if the courts and the federal government are indeed protecting our rights. We are now all wondering how a person can receive a license in this lucrative fishing area without consulting the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia or the fishermen that have been affected. The Mi’kmaq should have first right to more access to this area to help meet the premise of what was promised in the Marshall decision–moderate livelihood. The Rhyno decision took quota away from each Mi’kmaq person and community, and any adjustment to the sharing formula will do the same.

The issuance of the Rhyno license goes directly against the “Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada, 1996” where “DFO gives special consideration to Aboriginal peoples for commercial licenses, when opportunities arise.” The opportunity was there for the Minister to live up to the Marshall Response initiative and support Mi’kmaq communities in receiving additional access but instead did not. This decision was made with total disregard to conservation, First Nations, and management protocols in place at the time. The Rhyno decision causes First Nation communities to question DFO’s managerial ability. We are left to wonder if DFO considers treaty rights or First Nation community sustainability when making decisions?

Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq have agreed to stop fishing for their rights-based food, social and ceremonial fisheries in these rivers in acknowledgement of the decline in the salmon populations.

Lisa Young, UINR’s Executive Director explains, “For many years we felt the loss of salmon in our rivers and our culture has suffered as a result. Once plentiful, salmon are now found in only a few rivers. Many rivers have such low numbers of salmon that they are below what scientists calculate are required to sustain the population. While the number of tags allotted to our communities have mostly remained the same, they are not enough to support the salmon requirements of our people. Right now our people do not use all our allotted tags because we feel that conservation is more important.”

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have imposed restrictions on the recreational fishery by imposing size limits, seasonal closures and catch and release using barbless artificial flies. UINR feels that these measures are merely masking the problem of salmon decline and are only a band-aid solution for the critical situation that faces salmon today. Immediate and critical steps are needed to save the resource before more damage is done.

Recreational fishing is important for tourism. It sustains and creates employment, supports communities and simulates the economy. Government benefits from this fishery through licence sales. However, UINR believes that sustainability of a species is more important than short-term economic gain.

A catch and release fishery has many effects, ranging from injury to death. From the perspectives of biological and ecological consequences and the perspective of Mi’kmaq culture UINR is concerned on several issues.UINR biologist Shelley Denny explains “The general assumption is that released fish will survive. Estimated mortality rates are given at about 4% for salmon in our waters. However most fish do not die immediately after release and may die later. Improper handling can also increase fish mortality.Salmon may be vulnerable to predation immediately after release. They may be stressed, exhausted or in unfamiliar territory. Noise and movements during fishing can also attract predators, increasing the risk of mortality.

“Tissues will be damaged from the hook. Depending on where the hook has entered, it may be directly lethal or affect other organs such as eyes, mouth or jaw affecting their ability to feed. Injury puts fish at risk for disease and parasites which can affect fish health and increase mortality.

“Fish release stress hormones when they are removed from the water or trying to escape. Increase in stress hormones are linked to a decline in egg and sperm quality and lowered immune function.

“Upstream spawning migration patterns in adult Atlantic salmon are altered as a result of catch and release, as well as downstream movements, increased erratic movement patterns and a reduced migration distance. This may lead to a shift in the distribution of spawning populations within the river and disadvantages at the spawning grounds.

“Current catch and release fisheries take place during the spawning season. Peak spawning takes place during the fall and there is potential to alter spawning behaviour, damage spawning grounds, and kill eggs and alevin.”

The manner by which catch and release fisheries takes place is in direct violation of the laws of nature honoured by the Mi’kmaq people. Lisa Young explains “It is not in our tradition to catch then release fish. We were taught that all life has spirit and that all species are our kin. We were never encouraged to play with our food. To fish was to kill so that our people may survive. Gratitude was offered through ceremony. Salmon that was needed was taken and shared. Enough was left for the survival of the species. We don’t believe in harassment of salmon during their spawning migration if the results are to cause stress and injury for personal gratification. One spawning salmon has the potential to give life to many thousands of salmon in her lifetime. The death of one salmon today is the loss of thousands tomorrow.”

Despite commercial fishing closures, improvements in habitat and closures of the recreational fishery in many rivers, we have yet to see an improvement in salmon populations. Uncertainty in at-sea migration and survival and changes in water temperature as a result of climate change are speculated as having dire consequences to local salmon populations.

Steps need to be taken to save this resource for future generations. UINR supports the Assembly of Mi’kmaq Chiefs and their call for an end to recreational fishing in these rivers.

Georges Bank is an important fishing area located between Cape Cod and Sable Island. Under the jurisdiction of both Canada and the United States, Georges Bank is a productive spawning area for fish, shellfish, marine animals and seabirds.

Map: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Unama’ki’s five Mi’kmaq bands have commercial access to Georges Bank and fishes or have licenses for groundfish, tuna, swordfish and scallops in the areas that could be negatively affected if an oil spill occurs. Profits from fishing are returned to each community to fund infrastructure, housing, education, public works, social assistance, community services, health services, community recreation, youth and Elder outreach, suicide prevention, addiction support, counselling, policing and job creation.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, oil companies drilled ten exploratory wells in Georges Bank that yielded no oil. Soon after, Canada and the United States signed a moratorium on oil exploration and production to ensure fisheries conservation. That moratorium is set to expire at the end of 2012. Now oil companies want to do more seismic testing or drill more exploratory wells to search for reserves that may be deeper.

Hubert Nicholas, Commercial Fisheries Coordinator with Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) explains, “Offshore oil exploration could jeopardize the financial benefits that Mi’kmaq communities enjoy from the fishery. We have begun to make changes in our communities to make the lives of our community members better. We are concerned that if something were to go wrong with offshore gas exploration, it would affect the species that live there as well as in the Bay of Fundy and Eastern Nova Scotia. While oil companies claim that they are safe, oil spills continue to occur and have a devastating effect on the environment.”

Lisa Young, Executive Director at UINR, feels that the importance of the species and the environment should not be overlooked. “As Mi’kmaq we have an inherent right to access and use our resources and a responsibility to use them in a sustainable way. The Mi’kmaq way of resource management includes a spiritual element that ties together people, plants, animals, and the environment. We have been responsible stewards of the environment for thousands of years and we never under-estimate the inherent importance of every species.”

UINR is an active member in NORIGS3, a coalition of aboriginal groups, fishermen, processors and environmentalists that are working to extend the moratorium and protect the fisheries and the environment. NORIGS3 is working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada as it develops a “State of the Knowledge Report,” summarizing new information that has come to light since the moratorium was established. NORIGS3 is particularly concerned that issues from First Nation’s communities are not being adequately addressed in the report. UINR feels that the potential benefits from oil explorations are small in comparison to the the importance of the fisheries in Atlantic Canada and the United States.

NORIGS3 is encouraging federal and provincial Ministers of fisheries, environment and energy to use the 1999 panel report that set the groundwork for the moratorium as a starting point to decide if the risks and recommendations outlined in the report should be re-examined, or whether the moratorium should be extended for another ten-year period. If the Ministers decide there have been significant changes, they should initiate another impartial review panel that would be responsible for collecting relevant scientific information, coordinating further research and holding consultation sessions to gain public input before producing further recommendations on the moratorium beyond 2012.

Hubert concludes, “The fisheries in Georges Bank are important to the people of Unama’ki and our concern extends to the environmental consequences that oil exploration and production could have on the area. We feel that the benefits we now enjoy from the fisheries and the importance of the area to the species that live there greatly outweigh any perceived benefit that drilling for oil would have.”

hubert@uinr.ca

This first-hand knowledge of the industry made Hubert an excellent candidate for UINR’s Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator position that was established in 2008.

Hubert works for all of the commercial fishers in Unama’ki and, on their behalf, he attends meetings that affect any of our commercial fisheries and reports back to each community’s Fishery Managers on DFO and Industry decisions that may affect them. This information helps managers to make decisions that benefit their communities and their fishery.  Hubert voices concerns regarding management issues that are raised in meetings.

Hubert explains, It is interesting attending meetings on commercial fisheries now that I am not actively fishing, seeing the process unfold and how DFO involves industry and science. Sometimes the final decisions may not be well-received, but they usually seek industry and science advice to help with decisions. I can’t wait until the day that Mi’kmaq are totally involved in co-management of the fishery and are asked for management advice at the decision level instead of just sitting at the table as another member of industry. The definition of co-management is different for the federal and provincial governments than what the Mi’kmaq believe it to be. When the governments agree to a definition then we can move to the next step and define what a livelihood fishery will be for the Unama’ki Mi’kmaq communities as defined by the Marshall decision.

In addition to his life-long involvement in the commercial fisheries, Hubert worked with Kwilmu’k Maw-klusuaqn (KMK) as a consultation liaison coordinator before joining us at UINR.

Hubert is a member of the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative, a collaborative ocean management and planning process facilitated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He is also participates in meetings of the Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative.

When not embroiled in commercial fisheries issues, Hubert spends his off time with his wife and three kids. When they aren’t too busy with hockey, ballet, jazz dance, baseball and tennis, he likes to take his kids hunting and fishing.

Hubert says, I love to work with the team at UINR because there are always interesting conversations about the different aspects that each person deals with regarding natural resources. I have learned a lot about Unama’ki and the impact that UINR has on the management of its natural resources.

UINR made me realize that conservation is the key and without the resource there is no right to it. Conversations with UINR staff help me realize that conservation and Netuklimk is the key to preserving all resources available for our future use and benefit.

hubert@uinr.ca