August 5, 2002                                                                                        Volume VIII

                                                                                                                 Issue 30

By Doug Hansen

Yale Fisheries Management

ale First Nation (YFN) is an independent and stand-alone nation. We are currently negotiating a treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada and are in stage 4 of a 6 stage process. Recent progress at the treaty table includes a Land Protection Measure being passed through Cabinet. A parcel of land of approximately 181 hectares has been protected for the YFN acquisition in the treaty. YFN is also working on a Treaty Related Measure for regional management along the lower Fraser. Another interim agreement in the works is an interim measure agreement on fish, which would include a sales component.

Further agreements that YFN is involved in are Contribution, Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) Pilot Sales, and working agreements. The contribution agreement provides for YFN to receive funding to carry out such duties as: management and planning of YFN fisheries, monitoring the fishery, and negotiating fishing arrangements. Other monies obtained in this agreement are for community meetings, Tier One, Forum, and BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission meetings.

The YFN has been involved in AFS Pilot Sales negotiations since 1993. YFN has been attempting to obtain a separate AFS Pilot Sales agreement for some time now; however, DFO maintains the policy that Yale, Sto:lo, and Katzie, because they share a common harvesting area, should be managed under the same agreement. In 2002, Yale First Nation, Sto:lo Nation, and Katzie were unsuccessful in negotiating an agreement.

The YFN working agreement is an open-ended agreement between YFN and DFO. It provides a general framework for discussion of fisheries management issues.

Further responsibilities of the YFN in its fishery program include designation of fishers and monitoring. YFN designates its fishing participants annually out of the Yale First Nation government centre. Each fisher receives a personal designation card with an identification number on it. This number is also displayed on the end of the designated fisher’s net. YFN designates approximately 60 fishers. The YFN has an extensive monitoring program that provides for accurate catch numbers. Monitors are stationed on the beach near Strawberry Island where many fishers land. Species, quantity, effort, and other relevant data are accurately recorded. The remainder of the catch numbers is obtained from fishers by phone. The catch report is forwarded to Bridget Ennevor of DFO. YFN catch data is available immediately after a fishery. Furthermore, YFN can open and close a fishery on short notice.

The YFN dry rack fishery traditionally begins in approximately the first week of July. In 2002, however, due to extreme conservation concerns for Early Stuart sockeye, the fishery was delayed until the 19^th of July. The Early Stuart are the preferred stock of fish to be dried because, at the time they migrate through the Yale territory, there are little blow flies and bugs around to ruin the dry fish.

The dry rack fishery is unique to the Yale territory. The geography and climate of the canyon, particularly on YFN reserves, are ideal for drying fish. It is for this reason that the canyon is utilized by other First Nation guests, to cure fish in the traditional manner.

The YFN has operated a fishwheel in the Yale territory for the purpose of tagging Thompson Coho. The project was a joint one with Siska Band. The fish were tagged at Yale by the YFN Fishwheel, and recaptured at Siska by the Siska Fishwheel. Valuable data was obtained by DFO throughout this program. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding for the project, the YFN Fishwheel has not been in operation since 1999. The Fishwheel is a good tool for YFN to initiate a management role in stock assessment. It is an excellent selective fishing method by which stocks or species of fish, that are not being targeted, can be returned to the water unharmed. The Fishwheel has a high catching power if it is positioned in a highly productive fishing site.

Currently, the Yale First Nation is participating in food, social and ceremonial harvests. The dry rack fishery is also ongoing. For more information on any aspect of the Yale First Nation fishery program, please contact the Fisheries Manager, Dominic Hope at (604) 863-2443.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

August 8, 2002 - Interim Executive Committee Conference Call at 1:00 p.m.

August 8, 2002 - Fraser Watershed Stock Management Committee Conference Calls scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The Dial-In Number is 1-877-323-2010. For more information on the above conference calls contact Roberta Souriol at (250) 828-2178.

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