First Nations and environmental organizations are gathering to discuss the restoration of the Salish Sea’s distinct herring populations on Feb. 13.
The second HELIT TTE SLON,ET (Let the Herring Live) forum will highlight the need to revitalize communities where herring was a foundational species.
Salish Sea First Nations communities will have a chance to discuss their perspectives on current herring management strategies and share their understanding of the value of herring.
On Nov. 13, 2024, the hereditary chiefs of four Saanich Peninsula First Nations gathered to call for a complete moratorium on herring fishery.
It was the first time in 40 years they all came together in response to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) 2024-2025 Special Use and Food & Bait Herring Fishing proposal that will allow commercial fishers to harvest up to 6,994 tons of herring in the Strait of Georgia and Prince Rupert between Nov. 24, 2024, and Feb. 12, 2025.
One of the forum's objectives, according to Saanich Inlet Protection Society, is to develop specific steps to take in response to the calls for action from WSANEC hereditary chiefs and other First Nations leadership to ‘let the herring live’ and rebuild south Island herring populations, which were decimated by commercial fishing in the 1970s.
The science panel will include Daniel Pauly (UBC Institute for Oceans and Fisheries), Chrissie Chen (Fisheries Manager, Tsawout FN), Benjamin Neal (Sustainable Fisheries, UVic) and John Driscoll (Fisheries Representative, Suzuki Foundation).
"We need to have a better relationship to protect all resources and fisheries within each territory," Chen said. "We need to have a list of what is so important to the nations themselves. We need to be a part of that discussion."
During the forum, Dr. Eric Yoshida from the Juanes and Ocean History labs at UVic will also introduce his groundbreaking work on liver diseases disproportionately affecting coastal Indigenous communities.
STHENEP (Adam Olsen) of TSARTLIP First Nation will host the event featuring SHULQWILUM (Ray Harris) of Stz’uminus First Nation as keynote speaker along with other knowledge keepers.
HELIT TTE SLON,ET 2025 will be held at the Gathering Strength Community Facility on Tsawout territory in Saanichton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
