Community Members and Fishers Involved in Developing Salmon Plan
Community Members and Fishers Involved in Developing Salmon Plan
On April 25, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) held a meeting with
community members about the upcoming salmon season, and to review the 2013
Salmon Plan. “Input from the community has been invaluable in the past,
community participation is important,” Chief Dean Vicaire emphasized. The meeting was an opportunity for the LMG and community members to talk about the salmon fishery: management issues, research and training, Mi’gmaq Rights to the fishery, enforcement and compliances, as well as environmental issues, were some of the topics
discussed. As well, the LMG wanted to gain community input into the salmon management plan (2014-2019), which will be negotiated with government this year.
At the meeting, the LMG also discussed the monitoring of the salmon fishery. In the
upcoming season, the Scientific Technicians, Pam Isaac and her crew, will continue to monitor the fishery. As part of their work, they will be asking fishers if they have noticed any changes to the salmon, and the Restigouche River. This work is needed to monitor the
health status of the salmon and its habitat. The Scientific Technicians are currently taking a two-day introductory training called “Mi’gmaq Ecological Knowledge Training.” This initiative, spearheaded by the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC), will allow
technicians to better monitor and report on changing conditions associated with the fishery. The information that the technicians will gather from the fishers will assist the LMG to develop relevant objectives for the future management of the salmon fishery.
Finally, at the community meeting, it was strongly recommended that fishers and community members remain involved in the long term planning of the salmon fishery. A community meeting is being planned for the fall of 2013.
2013 Salmon Fishing Dates
Fishing season will open on
Wednesday, JUNE 5th and end JULY 26th, 2013.
The LMG will notify the public
about the dates and times for the fishery, as well as the ‘protected areas’ of
the waters.
