Activities
Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST)
Enhancement Projects
Sea Otter Recovery and Management
Halibut Apportionment
Crab Reform
Living Rivers Trust Partnership
Alberni Inlet - Barkley Sound Planning Init.
Sea Lice Monitoring
Ucluelet Harbour Crab Surveys
Species at Risk Projects
Capacity Development
Key Activities
Uu-a-thluk’s activities fall into the following areas:
1. Management
- Uu-a-thluk includes an active Council of Ha’wiih that meets regularly to review issues, direct staff, and provide recommendations to DFO.
- Uu-a-thluk coordinates meetings between Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, DFO managers and policy makers, and other government agencies and groups to promote consultation with First Nations on WCVI aquatic resource issues.
- Uu-a-thluk coordinates meetings between Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, DFO managers and policy makers, and other government agencies and groups to promote consultation with First Nations on WCVI aquatic resource issues.
- Uu-a-thluk protects and advances Nuu-chah-nulth fishing rights by providing assistance to the First Nations such as support to the Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Litigation.
- Uu-a-thluk supports Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in their application and delivery of government programs such as AAROM, AFS, and PICFI to effectively deliver benefits to communities.
- Uu-a-thluk protects habitat and resources within Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee by helping Nations deliver different aspects of their fisheries programs.
- Uu-a-thluk records and maps traditional ecological knowledge relating to sea resources in cooperation with Nuu-chah-nulth elders and fishermen to retain this knowledge for future generations.
3. Production and Marketing
- Uu-a-thluk fosters a greater recognition for what is unique within Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee, including building a brand identity for Nuu-chah-nulth products through history, culture, ecology and environmental health.
- Uu-a-thluk provides support for independent producers who want to get their products into the market.
4. Capacity Building and Education
- Uu-a-thluk delivers a capacity development program that focuses on educating youth about career opportunities in sea resources.
- Uu-a-thluk offers regular training and certification programs related to marine-based jobs.
- Uu-a-thluk offers work experience opportunities through summer student internships, high school job shadowing, and ongoing mentorships for staff and contractors.
5. Information and Communication
- Uu-a-thluk manages information from First Nations, agencies, governments, universities and researchers, making it accessible for all users.
- Uu-a-thluk gathers and archives information over time via maps, diagrams, documents database, pictures, audio and video.
- Uu-a-thluk seeks input, keeps everyone informed, and celebrates successes.
Current Activities
Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI)
Participating Nuu-chah-nulth Nations are teaming up with Uu-a-thluk and the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation to develop a comprehensive, collective business plan for the Nuu-chah-nulth region. PICFI also includes funding for capacity development, and Uu-a-thluk is working with Nuu-chah-nulth fishermen towards an at-sea mentoring program to transfer skills and knowledge to the next generation.
Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST)
During 2008 negotiations for the Chinook Annex of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, Uu-a-thluk provided a forum where hereditary chiefs could voice concerns and make recommendations to the Pacific Salmon Commission. Uu-a-thluk is currently active in the Sentinel Stocks Program, one phase of PST implementation.
Enhancement Projects
Uu-a-thluk works with Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, industry, and other stakeholders to assess and restore watersheds in Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee. Recent projects include the Conuma side channel, the Kauwinch River, and the Cheewaht Lake watershed.
Sea Otter Recovery and Management
In the spirit of Hishukish tsa’walk (everything is one) and Iisaak (respect with caring), Nuu-chah-nulth have supported and initiated sea otter recovery efforts, re-establishing the important relationship we once had with the sea otters. Activities include surveys and community mapping, education and outreach, and oil spill response training. Read more about our activities.
Halibut Apportionment
In response to a harvest policy recommendation from the International Pacific Halibut Commission staff (IPHC) that would reduce Canada’s historical share of the halibut resource by over 50%, Uu-a-thluk has been working collaboratively with halibut harvesters and government staff to insist Canada agrees to a halibut catch sharing policy that protects the shared interests of all stakeholders.
Crab Reform
In June of 2007, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced a proposal to change the way the dungeness crab fishery is managed. Since that time, Uu-a-thluk has been an active participant in crab reform, presenting Nuu-chah-nulth recommendations and interacting with the recreational and commercial sectors and participating in DFO’s Crab Working group.
Living Rivers Trust Partnership
Uu-a-thluk is pleased to partner with the Living Rivers Trust to build capacity for Nuu-chah-nulth Nations by hiring an Associate Biologist from within Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee.
Alberni Inlet-Barkley Sound Integrated Planning Initiative
In an effort to improve the efficiency of overlapping aquatic resource projects in the area and achieve common goals such as improved salmon management and access, Uu-a-thluk is participating in this integrated planning approach along with other organizations. Uu-a-thluk’s role includes participating in an interim steering committee, subject-specific round tables, and discussion forums.
Sea Lice Monitoring:
The Clayoquot Sound Sea Lice Working Group is a collaborative monitoring effort between salmon farmers and local First Nations environmental stewards. Since 2004, the Clayoquot Sound Sea Lice Working Group has been monitoring the prevalence and density of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi) on wild salmonid smolts throughout Clayoquot Sound. The results of these studies revealed the prevalence of sea lice on chum salmon was fluctuated between 7 % and 20% from 2004 to 2007, and overall, the prevalence of sea lice in the Clayoquot Sound did not vary significantly from year to year. In addition, further analysis of these data suggested that salinity was a greater factor in determining the distribution of sea lice than the geographic location of the sample sites or proximity to salmon farms.
Although there is no evidence at this time that the sea lice levels are effecting the survival of wild salmon populations in Clayoquot Sound, the Clayoquot Sound Sea Lice Working Group will continue to work together to
proactively monitor sea lice levels on the wild migrating salmon smolts and examine these data for any significant changes.
For details, read the Clayquot Sound Sea Lice Working Group Report (pdf).
Also, read the Press Release: Sea Lice in Clayoquot Sound (pdf)
For more information please contact Katie Beach, Uu-a-thluk Central Region Biologist at 250-725-3899.
Ucluelet Harbour Crab Surveys
Uu-a-thluk is working with Ucluelet First Nation to address the lack of information about the life cycles and health of crabs in Ucluelet Harbour. Together, Uu-a-thluk and UFN Fisheries are conducting a study to determine crab abundance, male/female ratio and movement, as well as catch effort, and food needs of membership. The partnership is also submitting crab samples to test for heavy metal contamination.
Species at risk Project
Since 2006, Uu-a-thluk has hired a species at risk intern to raise awareness about species at risk in Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-houlthee. Projects have included producing communications materials, developing and delivering culturally appropriate workshops and curriculum, and working with Uu-a-thluk biologists on other species at risk projects, such as sea otter recovery.
Capacity Development
Uu-a-thluk continues to partner with school districts, teachers, parents, youth, and others to deliver a capacity building program aimed at increasing Nuu-chah-nulth participation in ocean resource harvest and management. Projects include work experience and job shadowing placements, youth mentorships, training courses and workshops, science camps, cultural field trips, and other enrichment activities.
Read more about our capacity development program.
