ARCHIVED - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) Program is designed to assist Aboriginal groups in participating effectively in multi-stakeholder and other advisory and decision-making processes used for aquatic resources and oceans management. It provides funding to qualifying Aboriginal groups to establish aquatic resource and oceans management bodies. It will enable these groups to obtain access to skilled personnel and related support and to participate effectively in decision-making and advisory processes. AAROM employs a community driven approach recognizing that groups are at different stages of capacity development and not all have the same priorities and goals. The program will only be available to groups that are located where the Department of Fisheries and Oceans manages the fishery and have not signed a comprehensive land claims agreement that addresses the matters under AAROM. Elements of the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) and the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) will be delivered through the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Program. AICFI will assist participating communities with the development of their commercial fishing enterprises. PICFI is designed to support increased First Nations participation in integrated commercial fisheries, where all commercial harvesters fish under common and transparent rules, a higher standard of accountability for all resource users, and strengthened collaboration and cooperation amongst all fishery interests. Several AAROM projects received complementary funding via the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk, which are aimed at enabling Aboriginal organizations and communities to build capacity for their participation in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act and to support their involvement in activities that protect or conserve habitats for species at risk.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture — Conservation of Canada's fisheries resources to ensure sustainable resource utilization through close collaboration with resource users and stakeholders.

• Increased capacity of Aboriginal groups to participate in aquatic resources and oceans management at a broad watershed/ecosystem level.
• Increased and more effective participation of Aboriginal groups in DFO/multi-stakeholder aquatic resource and oceans management structures and processes.
• Increased integration of Aboriginal peoples in the commercial fishing industry.
• More collaborative relations among DFO, Aboriginal groups and non-Aboriginal resource users.

The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy provides for the effective management of the Aboriginal fishery in a manner consistent with the Sparrow decision. In accordance with negotiated, time-limited agreements, Aboriginal groups participate in the management of their fisheries including opportunities in habitat management, science and enforcement activities. In addition, the Allocation Transfer Program (ATP) supports the Aboriginal groups in achieving self-sufficiency through participation in commercial fisheries. The ATP facilitates the voluntary retirement of commercial licences to eligible Aboriginal organizations. The AFS Program applies where DFO manages the fishery, and where land claims settlements are not in place. Elements of the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) and the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) will be delivered through the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy. AICFI will assist participating communities with the development of their commercial fishing enterprises. PICFI is designed to support increased First Nations participation in integrated commercial fisheries, where all commercial harvesters fish under common and transparent rules, a higher standard of accountability for all resource users, and strengthened collaboration and cooperation amongst all fishery interests. Several AFS projects received complementary funding via the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk, which are aimed at enabling Aboriginal organizations and communities to build capacity for their participation in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act and to support their involvement in activities that protect or conserve habitats for species at risk.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture — Conservation of Canada's fisheries resources to ensure sustainable resource utilization through close collaboration with resource users and stakeholders.

• Increased integration of Aboriginal peoples in the commercial fishing industry.
• Increased participation of Aboriginal groups in fisheries co-management activities.
• Increased and more effective participation of Aboriginal groups in DFO/multi-stakeholder aquatic resource and oceans management structures and processes.
• More collaborative relations among DFO, Aboriginal groups and non-Aboriginal resource users.