ARCHIVED - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

4. Description: AAROM is designed to help Aboriginal groups participate effectively in multistakeholder 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 not all have the same priorities and goals. The program will only be available to groups that are located where DFO manages the fishery and have not signed a comprehensive land claims agreement that addresses the matters under AAROM.

5. Strategic Outcome(s): Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

6. Results Achieved: In 2006-2007, DFO entered into AAROM Agreements with 31 Aboriginal organizations, 14 Capacity Building Agreements and 17 Collaborative Management Agreements. Some of the groups had more than one agreement. 2006-2007 budget included $9.04 Million for Collaborative Management, $1.69 Million for Capacity Development, $3.97 for Access, $1.0M reimbursed from ATP and $531K returned to AFS for the Haida AFS Agreement.

In progress for 2007.

4. Description: 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 the Aboriginal groups in achieving self-sufficiency through participation in commercial fisheries. The ATP facilitates the voluntary retirement of commercial licences to eligible Aboriginal organizations. The AFS Program applies where DFO manages the fishery, and where land claims settlements are not in place.

5. Strategic Outcome(s): Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

6. Results Achieved: 147 AFS Agreements (101 Pacific, 11 Quebec, 14 Maritimes, 15 Gulf, 2 Central and Arctic, 4 Newfoundland and Labrador).Creation of 1200 seasonal jobs in areas such as processing, monitoring and enhancement activities, habitat restoration, stock assessment, fisheries enhancement, and in the areas of consultation and economic development. In 2006-2007 DFO budgeted $9,200,000 for ATP licences. All was spent.

To be undertaken in 2008.

4. Description: The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), in the September 17, 1999 R. v. Marshall Decision, 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 (SCC) also affirmed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)'s ability 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 SCC 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 an approach of voluntary retirement of commercial licences vessels to provide First Nations access to communal commercial licences. The capacity building component was used to assist the 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.

5. Strategic Outcome(s): Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

6. Results Achieved: The Department negotiated Fisheries Agreements with 31 of the 34 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 FAP commitments have been met.

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