fishingbc
Active Member
HAMATLA TREATY SOCIETY
1441 Old Island Hwy.
Campbell River, BC
V9W 2E4
Phone: (250) 287-9460
Fax: (250) 287-9469
Toll free No. 1-888-900-5720
email: hamatla@island.net
Web Page: http://www.hamatla.com
20 July 2007
Jim Russell
Manager Shellfish and Program Planning
Courtenay Access Center
2500 Cliffe Avenue
Courtenay, B.C. V9N 5M6
Regarding: Island Scallops proposed lease amendment for the Bowser Scallop Farm (Lands File # 1407517).
Mr. Russell:
As you may know, the Hamatla Treaty Society represents its member Nations, the We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge Band), Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River Band), Kwiakah (Phillips Arm) in treaty negotiations. We additionally take the role of relaying concerns regarding referrals for these nations and K’ómoks (Comox Band).
The Lekwala speaking peoples are identified as the Laich-Kwil-Tach and are the southernmost speakers of this northern Wakashan language. The traditional material culture, subsistence, social organization, religious and ceremonial practices of the Kwakwaka’wakw were extensively documented in the late 19th and early 20th century by Franz Boas (1887, 1888, 1891, 1897, 1909, 1921, 1925, 1934, 1966) in addition, Dawson (1888), Curtis (1915), Codere (1950) also provide detailed ethnographic information regarding Kwakwaka’wakw culture.
Historically, there were village sites located throughout our territory. Our First Nations have utilized our land and its resources since time immemorial for food gathering including, gathering berries, making medicines, hunting and fishing. The land and its resources are the most important part of our culture and traditions as Laich-Kwil-Tach people.
We are writing to inform your office that we have reviewed with our member nations the proposed change in operations for the Bowser Scallop Farm file. We strongly oppose moving from a bottom culture to a suspended culture methodology for this site as it will directly affect both our collection of fish for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes and our commercial herring and salmon opportunities.
The area in question is currently heavily utilized for our FSC herring and salmon fisheries and provides for much of our local harvest. The proposed off-bottom culture methodology will directly interfere with our right to harvest FSC fish, and our ability to provide much needed fish for our citizens by eliminating the possibility of fishing for these species where they are typically harvested.
Commercial fishers from our nations also use this specific area consistently in both the herring and salmon fisheries. The area is also considered to possess some increased hazard to vessel and personal safety as commercial fishing vessels utilize the area and have concerns regarding entanglement with the proposed off-bottom culture structures.
We have met with Island Scallops directly on this proposal and do not feel that the consideration of impacts to our title and rights to marine resources have been adequately addressed. Our member nations need to have consideration on how we will be compensated for loss of quality and quantity of fish available, and the loss of continuity of our practice of harvesting fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
Regards,
Dan Smith
Chief Negotiator
1441 Old Island Hwy.
Campbell River, BC
V9W 2E4
Phone: (250) 287-9460
Fax: (250) 287-9469
Toll free No. 1-888-900-5720
email: hamatla@island.net
Web Page: http://www.hamatla.com
20 July 2007
Jim Russell
Manager Shellfish and Program Planning
Courtenay Access Center
2500 Cliffe Avenue
Courtenay, B.C. V9N 5M6
Regarding: Island Scallops proposed lease amendment for the Bowser Scallop Farm (Lands File # 1407517).
Mr. Russell:
As you may know, the Hamatla Treaty Society represents its member Nations, the We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge Band), Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River Band), Kwiakah (Phillips Arm) in treaty negotiations. We additionally take the role of relaying concerns regarding referrals for these nations and K’ómoks (Comox Band).
The Lekwala speaking peoples are identified as the Laich-Kwil-Tach and are the southernmost speakers of this northern Wakashan language. The traditional material culture, subsistence, social organization, religious and ceremonial practices of the Kwakwaka’wakw were extensively documented in the late 19th and early 20th century by Franz Boas (1887, 1888, 1891, 1897, 1909, 1921, 1925, 1934, 1966) in addition, Dawson (1888), Curtis (1915), Codere (1950) also provide detailed ethnographic information regarding Kwakwaka’wakw culture.
Historically, there were village sites located throughout our territory. Our First Nations have utilized our land and its resources since time immemorial for food gathering including, gathering berries, making medicines, hunting and fishing. The land and its resources are the most important part of our culture and traditions as Laich-Kwil-Tach people.
We are writing to inform your office that we have reviewed with our member nations the proposed change in operations for the Bowser Scallop Farm file. We strongly oppose moving from a bottom culture to a suspended culture methodology for this site as it will directly affect both our collection of fish for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes and our commercial herring and salmon opportunities.
The area in question is currently heavily utilized for our FSC herring and salmon fisheries and provides for much of our local harvest. The proposed off-bottom culture methodology will directly interfere with our right to harvest FSC fish, and our ability to provide much needed fish for our citizens by eliminating the possibility of fishing for these species where they are typically harvested.
Commercial fishers from our nations also use this specific area consistently in both the herring and salmon fisheries. The area is also considered to possess some increased hazard to vessel and personal safety as commercial fishing vessels utilize the area and have concerns regarding entanglement with the proposed off-bottom culture structures.
We have met with Island Scallops directly on this proposal and do not feel that the consideration of impacts to our title and rights to marine resources have been adequately addressed. Our member nations need to have consideration on how we will be compensated for loss of quality and quantity of fish available, and the loss of continuity of our practice of harvesting fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
Regards,
Dan Smith
Chief Negotiator
