Stewardship Forums
With the support of DFO’s Pacific Salmon Stewardship Initiative, LFFA began hosting Stewardship Forums in 2024 to give interested fishers and delegates an opportunity to meet specifically on salmon stewardship issues.
The first meeting was held for Tier 1 (First Nation representatives) in early spring. Participants at this meeting set a direction for the newly-formed Stewardship department staff at LFFA, giving them guidance on priorities, which are:
• to increase the scientific and technical capacity of Lower Fraser First Nations and ultimately increase the amount of Indigenous-led effort on conservation and protection for salmon
• to enact the legal principles about stewardship recorded through the RELAW project
• to create better connections among Nations when it comes to stewardship, and also foster Tier 2 and 3 stewardship relationships
Specific topics, activities, and projects were also determined. Delegates recommended:
• thinking proactively about stewardship planning (rather than just reacting)
• setting a baseline: understanding what we have in the ecosystem today so we monitor changes in the future
• increasing data collection and data availability among First Nations, and building our capacity to collect data with new training and tools.
• recognizing the importance of tributaries, and including them in stewardship planning
• planning for drought proactively – including pinpointing specific locations where low water levels will be an issue for returning salmon, and informing decisions about restricting access to impacted sites. Agricultural pumping is another drought issue that might become more important.
• looking into fish passage issues like pump stations, culverts and floodgates in the lower Fraser
• engaging with universities and researchers, and invite them to share knowledge with the Lower Fraser First Nations
Delegates also recognized that Guardians and First Nations play a pivotal role in monitoring and salmon stewardship, and can do more.
The following Stewardship Forum was held with Tier 2 (DFO and First Nations) partners. Participants discussed their shared priorities related to salmon conservation, rebuilding, and stewardship including drought, fish passage barriers, and the implementation of the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
LFFA also shared information on the stewardship efforts underway at the Nation level, while DFO representatives explained the various teams they have working in the Lower Fraser region.
The plan is to continue to host Stewardship Forums, both at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 level, about 4 times per year.