Fish-WIKS News

The Coastal & Estuarine Research biannual conference, was held in Providence, Rhode Island Nov 5-9, 2017. Following from the successful inaugural CERF 2015, Tribal and First Nations session entitled “Role of Historical Use and Cultural Values in Tribal and First Nation Governance, Research and Restoration” featuring presentations from the Pacific Northwest of North America, the 2017 session showcased how Tribes and First Nations in the Northeast are incorporating indigenous knowledge into the research, management and governance of estuarine and coastal resources. Presentations featured the indigenous perspective guiding research, management and policy approaches ranging from anadromous fish, American eels, climate change and other topical issues.

Among the presenters were Fish-WIKS IDPhD candidate Shelley Denny who delivered her presentation, WHEN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS COLLIDE: SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF MI’KMAQ INCLUSION IN ATLANTIC SALMON GOVERNANCE IN NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. In her presentation, Ms. Denny discussed how the issues of fisheries governance are a source of debate and tension between the indigenous Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans in matters concerning Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Within the context of the existing governance regime and using Two-Eyed Seeing as a tool, her research compared the concept of salmon conservation and management from a Mi’kmaq perspective. Successes and challenges arising from the consultation process currently utilized to address salmon governance were highlighted to complement the theme of CERF 2017, Coastal Science at the Inflection Point: Celebrating Successes & Learning from Challenges.