The Profits of Justice: Restoring Aboriginal River Fisheries in British Columbia

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Date

1995

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Abstract

"This paper explores the resource management options and equity implications of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy, involving a shift designed to restore in part the traditional community-based aboriginal salmon fisheries of the Fraser and Skeena River systems, in which most of the province's salmon originate. It arrives at the important conclusion that, if appropriately managed, such river fisheries could contribute greatly to increased stock productivity, because of their superior capacity to fish selectively and live-release fish. This could help greatly to fine-tune the spawning escapement of hundreds of unique breeding stocks in the pursuit of optimal salmon reproduction, leading to long run catch maximization. The potential is there for a considerably larger sustainable salmon fishery. This might allow for a substantial restoration of aboriginal fishing rights without necessarily reducing -- and possibly increasing -- the long run commercial saltwater catch. Conceding justice to aboriginal peoples may thus be rewarded with profits to many losses to none."

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IASC, common pool resources, fisheries, indigenous institutions

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