The Role of Indigenous and Western Science Knowledge Systems in Modern Fisheries Management

Federal and Provincial/State Agencies continue to establish policies intended to satisfy their legal requirements for meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities, specifically regarding management of their fisheries and related ecological issues. Driven largely by this 'duty to consult' there is increasing pressure to develop practical tools for effective engagement between Indigenous and Science knowledge systems regarding uncertain states of nature, and predicted consequences of alternate management strategies. This 1-day symposium will investigate the strategic similarities and differences between Canada and the USA in three focal themes: (a) legal requirements to meaningfully engage Indigenous knowledge systems in fisheries management, (b) history of Indigenous-Science knowledge system engagements in fisheries management to date (the good, bad and ugly), and (c) recent developments in knowledge system theory and practice that can substantially improve government's ability to satisfy its 'duty to consult' in a meaningful and effective manner.