Providing financial services and business support for BC's Indigenous fishing and seafood commerce.

NFA’s SECOND OPEN LETTER TO DFO:

NFA published an Open Letter to DFO in August 2025, raising concerns that the lack of commercial sockeye salmon openings had severe negative economic impacts on BC’s Indigenous commercial fleet.DFO’s response was disappointing, citing their rationale of conservation concerns (which were not sufficiently substantiated) and using the “FSC” opening as justification that they were respecting Indigenous fishing rights.NFA has sent a second letter to DFO in response, reminding them of the importance and rights intrinsic in BC’s Indigenous commercial fleet. ... See MoreSee Less

Another #fishingthrowbackthursday#

“FSC”, “food fish”, “grey market” are all modern terms that reflect Canada’s (DFO’s) opinion that Indigenous fishing rights should be limited to food consumption, social events and ceremonial purposes… and that it does not include selling fish for economic gain.S.35 of Canada’s Constitution Act (1982) protects ALL pre-existing fishing rights.So, did Indigenous Peoples trade fish before the settlement of the west coast? You bet they did!S.35 protects selling fish for economic gain! ... See MoreSee Less