Bridging the Gap: Co-Managing Subsistence Fisheries in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region

The Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) was signed in 1984, securing the Inuvialuit’s right to equal and meaningful participation in northern and national economy and society. Meaning, the Inuvialuit are legally required to be involved in decision-making, thus ensuring the inclusion of traditional knowledge into resource management. Pursuant to the IFA, the Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC) was established in 1986 to provide advice to the Inuvialuit and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on issues related to fish and marine mammal management in the ISR. The FJMC’s primary tasks are to ensure fish and marine mammals within the ISR are sustainably co-managed and supporting research addresses the priorities and management objectives of Inuvialuit. This is accomplished through an annual decision-making process that focuses on: 1) regularly discussing fish and marine mammal stocks and management concerns with each ISR Hunter’s and Trapper’s Committee; 2) reviewing, outlining and communicating ISR-wide and community-specific priorities to DFO; 3) allocating available research funding based on Inuvialuit priorities 4) the creation of multi-stakeholder working groups that focus on the development of management plans for local fisheries. This process has successfully facilitated continuous dialogue between the Inuvialuit and researchers, uniting these groups towards the achievement of common goals.