ARCHIVED - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

August 31, 2004

March 31, 2009

The Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management (AAROM) Program is designed to help Aboriginal groups participate effectively in multi-stakeholder and other advisory and decision-making processes used for aquatic resources and oceans management. It provides funding to qualifying Aboriginal groups to establish aquatic resource and oceans management bodies. It will enable these groups to obtain access to skilled personnel and related support and to participate effectively in decision-making and advisory processes. AAROM employs a community-driven approach, recognizing that groups are at different stages of capacity development and that not all have the same priorities and goals. The Program will be available only to groups that are located where DFO manages the fishery and that have not signed a comprehensive land claims agreement that addresses the matters under AAROM.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

In 2007-2008, DFO entered into AAROM capacity-building and collaborative management agreements with various Aboriginal organizations. Some of the groups entered into more than one agreement.

The Department received new funding under the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative.

N/A

January 12, 2000

March 31, 2007¹

In its R. v. Marshall decision of September 17, 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed a treaty right to hunt, fish and gather in pursuit of a moderate livelihood stemming from Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1760 and 1761. The decision affected 34 Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Gaspé region of Quebec. The Supreme Court of Canada also affirmed the ability of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to regulate the exercise of the treaty right subject to the requirement that any infringement of the treaty right be justified. In response to the Supreme Court of Canada decision, DFO implemented the Marshall Response Initiative (MRI). The MRI is composed of two components, the Fisheries Access Program (FAP) and Capacity Building Initiatives. The FAP component of the Initiative relied on the voluntary retirement of licences of commercial vessels to provide First Nations access to communal commercial licences. The capacity-building component was used to assist First Nations in their efforts to use the access effectively and efficiently. In the Public Accounts, the expenditures for both FAP and Capacity Building are listed under FAP alone.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Department negotiated various fisheries agreements with various eligible First Nations. The Department has been successful in providing First Nations access to communal commercial licences, vessels and gear.

Unused funds are being transferred to the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative.

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/cread/audits/05-06/60250_e.htm

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/cread/evaluations/05-06/65138_e.htm

June 11, 1992

March 31, 2009

The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) provides for the effective management of the Aboriginal fishery in a manner consistent with the Sparrow decision. In accordance with negotiated, time-limited agreements, Aboriginal groups participate in the management of their fisheries, including opportunities in habitat management, science and enforcement activities. In addition, the Allocation Transfer Program (ATP) supports Aboriginal groups in achieving self-sufficiency through participation in commercial fisheries. ATP facilitates the voluntary retirement of commercial licences to eligible Aboriginal organizations. AFS applies where DFO manages the fishery and where land claims settlements are not in place.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Department negotiated various fisheries agreements with eligible First Nations. The Department has been successful in providing First Nations access to communal commercial licences, vessels and gear. It is estimated that in excess of 99% of all Fisheries Access Program (FAP) commitments have been met and that 1,200 seasonal jobs have been created in areas such as processing, monitoring and enhancement activities, habitat restoration, stock assessment, fisheries enhancement, and consultation and economic development.

DFO received new funding under the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries initiative and the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative.

To be undertaken in 2008.