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Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: 1992

End date: Ongoing

Description: Launched in 1992, the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) provides for negotiated arrangements with Aboriginal groups around the harvesting, use and management of Aboriginal food, social and ceremonial fisheries and, where applicable, communal commercial fisheries.

In 1994, DFO introduced a commercial access component to the AFS, the Allocation Transfer Program (ATP). The ATP facilitates the voluntary retirement of commercial fishing licences and the issuance of communal licences to eligible Aboriginal groups in a manner that does not add to the existing effort on the resource.

Provisions of negotiated fisheries agreements under the AFS may include:

• a harvest allocation to the Aboriginal group for FSC purposes;
• terms and conditions pertaining to communal fishing licences;
• enforcement provisions, including the training and engagement of Aboriginal Fisheries Guardians;
• arrangements for the co-management and stewardship of fisheries resources and their supporting habitats, including the restoration and protection of species at risk;
• co-management projects for the improvement of the management of fisheries generally, such as scientific research, stock assessment, fish enhancement and habitat management; and
• communal commercial fishing arrangements including the transfer of vessels and gear as well as support for fisheries-related economic opportunities (e.g., demonstration fishery projects, aquaculture development, business planning support, etc.).

Where Agreements pertaining to the FSC Fisheries cannot be concluded between DFO and an Aboriginal group, DFO will issue to the group a communal fishing licence that establishes the terms and conditions of its FSC fishery.

The AFS is applicable where DFO manages the fishery and where a fisheries management regime has not already been established under a land claims settlement.

Expected results:

• Increased integration of Aboriginal peoples in the commercial fishing industry.
• Increased participation of Aboriginal groups in fisheries co-management activities.
• Increased and more effective participation of Aboriginal groups in DFO/multi-stakeholder aquatic resource and oceans management structures and processes.
• More collaborative relations among DFO, Aboriginal groups and non-Aboriginal resource users.

Link to 3-year Transfer Payment Program Plan:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/tpp-ppt/tpp-ppt2010-eng.htm

Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: 2005-06

End date: Ongoing

Description: Launched in October 2004, the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) Program provides for Capacity Building and Collaborative Management initiatives that supports the involvement of Aboriginal groups, working together, to obtain access to technical, scientific and administrative expertise in order to facilitate their participation in multi-stakeholder and other decision-making processes used to manage aquatic resources and ocean spaces.

Aboriginal groups transition from Capacity Building into Collaborative Management.

Provisions of Contribution Agreements under AAROM may include:

• establishing AAROM collaborative management structures or AAROM bodies;
• accessing skilled professional, administrative and technical expertise from within the Aboriginal community or other external sources but excluding public office holders;
• participating in aquatic resource and oceans management planning — through development of resource and oceans management plans and coordination of community input into the development of plans;
• developing or providing input into the development of models, structures and processes to guide the interactions of external bodies and agencies with the respective Aboriginal group;
• planning and holding consultation sessions with member communities on AAROM-related issues;
• participating in various government technical committees and other multi-stakeholder fora;
• developing, implementing and monitoring AAROM capacity building strategies;
• developing enforcement capacity including Aboriginal Fishery Officers and upgrading the skills of Aboriginal Guardians;
• collaborating in scientific research efforts related to aquatic resource and oceans management;
• participating in and providing input to various aquatic and oceans resource policy and management processes;
• undertaking scientific research activities to support appropriate watershed/ecosystem-based management efforts, including the collection and gathering of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK);
• conducting community outreach, stewardship and awareness activities;
• conducting liaison activities with other relevant/interested parties;
• developing protocols on ATK — dealing with new and innovative approaches to collect, analyze and integrate this information into environmental and habitat assessments and management practices;
• ongoing program planning, administration and reporting activities of the AAROM Collaborative Management body; and
• negotiations and implementation of related AAROM agreements (and associated protocols) for which DFO is a signatory.

AAROM is applicable in areas where DFO manages the fishery, and where land claim agreements addressing those matters covered under AAROM are not in place. Where the Aboriginal group has signed a comprehensive land claims agreement, and one or more of the matters covered by the AAROM Program are not dealt with in the agreement, the group would be eligible to apply for support in those matters not covered.

Expected results: 34 AAROM Agreements (23 Collaborative Management and 11 Capacity Building) with Aboriginal organizations involving approximately 330 member communities. These agreements allow Aboriginal groups to:

• work together in relation to a watershed or ecosystem;
• build capacity in aquatic resource and oceans co-management areas including aqua-culture;
• establish aquatic resource and oceans management bodies - or "aggregate bodies";
• obtain access to skilled personnel and related support which allows them to participate more effectively in decision-making and advisory processes;
• obtain access to commercial fishery opportunities (including vessels and gear); and
• build fisheries catch monitoring and enforcement capacity.

Link to 3-year Transfer Payment Program Plan:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/tpp-ppt/tpp-ppt2010-eng.htm

Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: 2007-08

End date: 2011-12

Description: The long-term goal of the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) is to continue to create positive conditions towards concluding longer-term DIAND-led arrangements for MMFNs. The immediate goals are to assist MMFNs to:

• Enhance capacity in governance and management of MMFN commercial fishing enterprises;
• Develop effective participation in sustainable, integrated commercial fisheries with a greater role in fisheries management; and
• Help diversify existing fishing enterprises to support the full realization of economic potential of existing fishing licences.

AICFI has been developed to proceed along two separate paths of deployment. The first is through individual MMFNs where the individual First Nations can apply for funding for components of the initiative provided they have completed the prerequisite planning as per component requirements. This will allow First Nations the ability to personalize their development to their own needs and development schedule.

The second path of deployment is through associated aggregate bodies which may apply for funding to proceed with the development of the Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) Business Development Unit as well as co-management and various training and mentoring projects. Aggregate bodies will develop expertise that can be shared with individual First Nations which will provide smaller First Nations a larger voice within the commercial fishery as well as provide a higher value for dollar on mentoring and training sessions.

Expected results: AICFI has developed an RMAF/RBAF which sets the performance measurement and risk management strategy to assist DFO management in the delivery of the program. The following results are expected for the participating MMFNs:

• Sound (transparent and accountable) CFE governance structures;
• Sound business management processes for CFE management and operation;
• A Fisheries Coordinator mentored in areas of expertise required to meet the commercial fisheries business management needs of the community;
• Fishing skills acquired through at sea mentoring or in-class training;
• Fisheries Management System in place for interested, eligible MMFNs;
• Greater involvement by MMFNs in fisheries co-management; and
• Increased ability by MMFNs to optimize existing access and achieve CFE profitability and sustainability.

Link to 3-year Transfer Payment Program Plan:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/tpp-ppt/tpp-ppt2010-eng.htm

Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: July 2007

End date: March 31, 2012

Description: On July 16, 2007, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI), which is designed to support increased First Nations participation in integrated commercial fisheries, where all commercial harvesters fish under common and transparent rules, a higher standard of accountability for all resource users, and strengthened collaboration and cooperation amongst all fishery interests.

PICFI is a $175 million, 5-year initiative, developed to support the implementation of much needed reforms which includes the following four distinct yet integrated elements:

• Increased First Nation Participation in Integrated Commercial Fisheries, BC-wide, in advance of treaties, through the Voluntary relinquishment of Commercial Licenses and quota to support First Nations self-sufficiency through economic development, build a foundation for future treaties and bring First Nations more fully into integrated management processes;
• First Nation Capacity Building to support the development of First Nations commercial fisheries enterprises so that the commercial fishery access provided is effectively utilized and managed;
• Fisheries Accountability Measures to support enhanced fisheries monitoring, catch reporting, greater enforcement and enable the development of a traceability system all fishery participants are confident that integrated management plans are being respected and that the fisheries resource is being managed in a sustainable manner; and
• New Pacific Co-Management Models to establish new mechanisms for increasing the collaboration of resource users in commercial fisheries decision-making to facilitate joint problem-solving among interested groups and better achieve sustainable resource management approaches that meet conservation goals.

Expected results:

• increased participation and benefits for First Nations in integrated commercial fisheries and related areas in advance of treaty;
• establishment of First Nation owned and operated Commercial Fisheries Enterprises (CFE) operating with sound governance practices and structures;
• new models of co-management supporting strengthened cooperation and collaboration amongst users, particularly around salmon; and
• a higher standard of reporting and monitoring, and strengthened enforcement levels.

Link to 3-year Transfer Payment Program Plan:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/tpp-ppt/tpp-ppt2010-eng.htm

Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: September 2009

End date: March 31, 2014

Description: This is one of two programs to support restructuring of Canada's Atlantic Lobster Fishery. The Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures (ALSM) will provide support for the development and implementation of lobster sustainability plans which will help the fishery to make changes that will enhance its economic prosperity (through self-rationalization) and long-term sustainability (through mandatory and possible, additional conservation measures).

ALSM is a five-year, $50M initiative with an overall goal to support the implementation of sustainability plans within Lobster Fishing Areas by providing funding to supplement and help leverage other sources of funds obtained by harvesters, such as provincial programs, financial institutions, etc. The outcomes of sustainability plans will help achieve the conservation measures necessary for a sustainable future and enable and provide incentive for the long-term structural change needed within the lobster fishery. This structural change, through rationalization, is necessary to improve the economic viability across the sector and help ensure long term sustainability. An economically viable sector will, in turn, be more willing to invest in strengthened conservation measures. In addition, when self-rationalization is on a significant scale, it may provide conservation benefits as well as economic benefits.

Expected results:

• elements of sustainability plans pertaining to the enhancement of Lobster Fishing Area organization governance structures are in place;
• elements of sustainability plans pertaining to lobster conservation and stewardship are in place;
• elements of sustainability plans pertaining to productivity enhancement are in place; and
• elements of sustainability plans pertaining to restructuring and rationalization are in place.

Link to 3-year Transfer Payment Program Plan:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/tpp-ppt/tpp-ppt2010-eng.htm

Strategic Outcome: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program Activity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Start date: September 1997

End date: None

Description: The Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund, supported by a $30 million federal endowment from Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 1999, and managed by a non profit organization (Pacific Salmon Foundation), uses interest income proceeds from the fund to undertake specific plans and activities to support salmon. The mission of the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund is to: conserve and rebuild Pacific salmon populations through strategic and focused efforts where people and resources are mobilized to work together to achieve common goals.

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient:  http://www.psf.ca

Link to Recipient's Website:  http://www.psf.ca

Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation

Part A: Green Procurement Capacity Building

Part B: Use of Green Consolidated Procurement Instruments

Part C: Reduction Initiatives for Specific Goods (Optional/Where Applicable)

Lead department Strategic Outcome: Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems

Lead department Program Activity: Oceans Management

Start date: April 1, 2007

End date: March 31, 2012

Total federal funding allocation: $61.5 million

Description: The Health of the Oceans (HOTO) initiative provides funds, as part of the National Water Strategy, over a five year period to support 22 initiatives across five departments and agencies. HOTO reflects at Budget 2007 commitment and contributes to meeting domestic obligations under the Oceans Act, as well as international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Summitt on Sustainable Development. The goal of the initiative is to achieve progress on the health of the oceans through establishing new marine protected areas, increasing the capacity of government to enforce pollution prevention rules and to respond to environmental emergencies; and through strengthening collaborative oceans arrangements with our partners in the Arctic and in the Gulf of Maine.

Shared outcomes: The initiative is targeted to achieve three shared outcomes, as defined by the RMAF, namely:

• Protecting sensitive areas, mainly through the establishment of Marine Protected Areas;
• Pollution Control; and
• Collaborative Oceans Management.

Governance structure: This initiative is subject to interdepartmental governance through the Assistant Deputy Ministers Interdepartmental Committee on Oceans (ICO), supported by a shadow Directors' General Committee. This Governance structure aligns oceans policy and program planning. The ICOs review the initiatives on a regular basis including the annual reports on the progress of this initiative.

Planning Highlights: The Oceans Directorate at DFO monitors the HOTO initiative biannually and develops tools and processes to capture and report performance information. The monitoring and reporting process assesses progress against work plans and thus provides an opportunity for adaptive functions during the projects life cycle. The collaborative governance structure contributes to facilitated information access and exchange and leads to better informed decisions relating to program planning and management. An annual performance summary is prepared for submission to TBS.

¹Funds from previous fiscal year transferred to 2010-11.

Contact information:

Wayne Moore

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

200 Kent Street

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0E6

Telephone: (613) 990-0001

Email: Wayne.Moore@dfo-mpo.gc.ca