Sustainable management of the commercial sea cucumber fishery in Kitasoo/Xai'xais territory

认识到加拿大过去和现在的资源管理做法对土著人民产生的消极影响，加拿大政府目前正以最近签署的《渔业资源和解协定》为指导，积极使沿海第一民族参与合作管理进程。Kitasoo/Xai'xais族长期以来一直与加拿大渔业和海洋部一起参与海参的研究和监测工作，现在正正式参与指导管理这一每年价值1 300万美元的渔业。虽然北苏/西海渔业计划（KXFP）继续领导正在进行的海参监测和研究项目，但最近的事件表明，扩大这些努力和调整现有管理计划的必要性更加迫切。2019冠状病毒病大流行限制了克莱mtu Kitasoo/Xai'xais社区的经济机会，凸显了加强现有当地就业机会的必要性。商业海参渔业提供了一个这样的机会，因为它有可能在每个季节为社区提供数十个就业机会，足以为Klemtu大约10%的成年人口提供就业机会。然而，鉴于对渔业可持续性的持续关注，这一行业对社区的持续利益并不能得到保证。这一伙伴关系的主要目标是利用我们学术研究小组的资源和技术专长，帮助解答KXFP关于海参的关键生态问题，支持他们的管理计划，并确保其领土内渔业的持续成功。这一伙伴关系的成功将在当地及其他层面带来许多积极的生态、社会和经济成果：在领土内维持海参种群将有助于整体生态系统的健康；减少人口严重下降的风险将反过来保证社区有持续的就业机会；改善北苏/西沙境内的渔业管理将为沿海其他地区提供一个模板，有助于确保这一有利可图的产业继续取得成功。

In recognition of the negative impacts that past and current Canadian resource management practices have had on Indigenous peoples, the Government of Canada is now actively engaging Coastal First Nations in a collaborative management process, guided by the recently signed Fisheries Resource Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA). The Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation has long been involved in research and monitoring efforts for sea cucumbers alongside Fisheries and Oceans Canada and is now being formally engaged in directing management of this $13 million annual fishery. While the Kitasoo/Xai'xais Fisheries Program (KXFP) continues to lead ongoing sea cucumber monitoring and research projects, recent events have illuminated a more urgent need to expand these efforts and adapt existing management plans. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited economic opportunities within the Kitasoo/Xai'xais community of Klemtu, highlighting the need to strengthen existing local employment opportunities. The commercial sea cucumber fishery provides one such opportunity, as it has the potential to offer dozens of jobs each season for the community, enough for approximately 10% of the adult population in Klemtu. However, given ongoing concerns about the sustainability of the fishery, the continued benefits of this industry to the community are not guaranteed. The main goal of this partnership is to leverage the resources and technical expertise of our academic research group to help answer the key ecological questions the KXFP has about sea cucumbers, to support their management plan and ensure the continued success of the fishery within their territory. The success of this partnership will lead to numerous positive ecological, social, and economic outcomes at a local level and beyond: maintaining sea cucumber populations within the territory will contribute to overall ecosystem health; reducing the risk of severe population declines will in turn guarantee consistent employment opportunities for the community; and improving management of the fishery within Kitasoo/Xai'xais territory will provide a template for the rest of the coast, helping to ensure the continued success of this profitable industry.