Commercial Fisheries

The APC Fisheries Conference was created to bring the most influential First Nations commercial fisheries managers and leaders together to share experiences and strategize for the future. It is an opportunity for Fisheries Managers to stay informed, discuss and strategize about issues of common interest. Conference sessions include discussions about commercial opportunities, fisheries policies, training and marine safety, fisheries diversification, financial management and other issues identified by participants. The APC Fisheries Awards Banquet takes place the evening of the last day of the conference.

The First Nations Fisheries Awards Program is meant to recognize achievements by First Nations members. The awards are presented on the last day of the fisheries conference. The awards banquet is an annual event celebrating excellence in Atlantic First Nation fisheries and aquaculture. Awards are given in categories including Captain, Deckhand, Crew, Young Business Person, Young Fisher, Fisheries Manager, Traditional Fisher and Fleet Managers of the Year as well as additional awards for proficiency in accounting practices and use with the Fisheries Management System (FMS) and completion of the First Nations Fisheries Enterprise Management Training. The APC Fisheries Awards Banquet attracts additional participation from Chiefs, Councillors and other community staff members directly involved in daily fishery operations and is an excellent networking and relationship–building opportunity.

We are now accepting nominations for the 12th Annual Fisheries Awards. We encourage everyone, including community members to submit their nominations online, or to Aimee Searle at aimee.searle@apcfnc.ca or Jade Robinson at jade.robinson@apcfnc.ca.

The deadline to submit nominations is November 30, 2022.

The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) supports Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations in developing commercial fisheries enterprise governance and business management skills, building capacity in commercial fisheries operations, and playing a more effective role in fisheries co-management. The AICFI serves eligible communities located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Gaspe region in Quebec.

The major goal of AICFI is to provide the mentoring and training required to support First Nations in building capacity in commercial fisheries. Much of the work of APC’s Fisheries Department is related to the different components of the AICFI that contribute to the overall goals of the program.

These include:

• Component 1: Enterprise Governance Enhancement
• Component 2: Management Practice Enhancement
• Component 3: Fisheries Co-Management Capacity Building
• Component 4: Commercial Fisheries Diversification

BDT

In 2008, the Fisheries Business Development Team (BDT) was established under AICFI, through a partnership arrangement between Ulnooweg and APC. The BDT provides support services and assists communities with business development for First Nations commercial fisheries. For more information, visit http://www.ulnooweg.ca/fisheries/.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS FISHERIES INSTITUTE

“The National Indigenous Fisheries Institute is an organization that promotes national consistency and standards across Indigenous fisheries and aquaculture programs and practices to maximize the benefits to communities. They are rooted in the principle of collaboration between Indigenous groups and government by co-developing, co-designing, and co-delivery of programs and practices that impact the lives of Indigenous communities.”

For more information, visit http://indigenousfisheries.ca/en/.