FNI Fisheries Programs
Our goal is two-fold: to encourage active Mi’kmaq participation in aquatic and fisheries management, environmental assessments, and resource protection, and to improve the socio-economic welfare of our members.
› Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Program
The Mi’kmaq people have strong cultural beliefs and a deep concern for the survival of salmon and trout, which have nourished our people for generations. In cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the FNI conduct enforcement and conservation activities for the protection of salmon and trout stocks in these nine rivers in western Newfoundland:
| Barachois Brook Bottom Brook Fischell’s Brook Flat Bay Brook Gander River |
Harry’s River Humber River Robinson's River South West Brook |
The program has recently introduced night patrols, in an effort to further discourage illegal fishing activities.
The program employs several people seasonally. Its activities are reported in the Fishery Guardian News.
Contact the Fisheries Guardian coordinator for more information or to report a suspected infraction.
› Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries
This FNI company owns and operates three fishing vessels, including the 45-foot Dream Catcher 2007, which harvest crab, ground fish, lobster, capelin, herring, and mackerel. Each of its licences is designated to an Aboriginal fisherperson, who pays FNI an annual user fee.
Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries (MCF) employs eight men. Every crew member earns a percentage of the value of the catch.
The FNI board of directors is the company’s shareholder, which holds one meeting a year devoted to discussing the activities and financial situation of MCF. The company’s activities are reported in the Commercial Fishery News.
For more information about this program, contact the Manager of Fisheries.
› Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA)
Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey is how you say “Mi’kmaq Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management” in the Mi’kmaw language. It’s pronounced Mig·maw All·sum·k Moo·wem·see·gek Ka·oak·gue·wey—or you can use “MAMKA,” for short.
The FNI’s MAMKA initiative is undertaken in partnership with the Miawpukek First Nation (MFN). This program helps Newfoundland Mi’kmaq become more involved in the responsibilities and decision-making processes related to aquatic resources and ocean management in the Aboriginal communities of the FNI and MFN.
MAMKA operates under the protocols of the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource & Oceans Management (AAROM), a federal program designed to help Aboriginal groups develop expertise in aquatic-resource and oceans management, and allow them to participate in decision-making. A full-time aquatic-science technician is dedicated to this program. Activities undertaken include:- developing a long term Strategic Plan
- consulting with members on Canada’s Plan for the Fisheries Act
- undertaking a Marine Resource Survey of Aquatic Resource Harvest areas and species in relation to food and ceremonial consumption in Bay D’Espoir and Bay of Islands
- facilitating a spawning survey of Northwest and Southwest Gander River to identify sensitive spawning areas and potential obstructions and environmental hazards/concerns
- planning for a SARA project at Bay St. George's on killifish
- preparing a 2007 calendar highlighting tradition ecological knowledge