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This is planned for our area as outlined on the Westcoaster.ca;
Westcoaster.ca Staff
ALBERNI-CLAYOQUOT - After a hundred year hiatus, the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations have announced their intentions to hunt Sea Otters again.
Wiped out by a commercial hunt that started colonization on the west coast in the 1800’s, Sea Otters were reintroduced in the Bunsby Islands near Kyuquot in the 1960’s. As the United States planned to test nuclear weapons near Amchitka Alaska, local Sea Otters were rounded up from the blast zone and moved to Vancouver Island.
Finding an area rich in urchins, crab, and other favoured foods, the Sea Otter population expanded by more than 20% each year, soon expanding their range to Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds.
According to Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council lobbied the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to change the Sea Otters status from ‘threatened’ to one of ‘special concern’, thereby opening the door to a ceremonial hunt.
“Nations wanted to manage sea otters in the Ha-houlthee according to customary and traditional principles,” NTC Central Region Biologist Katie Beach told Ha-Shilth-Sa. “This downlisting means they will soon have that option.”
Recent population surveys estimate more than 2,000 sea otters spread along the central west coast of Vancouver Islands. The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations have submitted a plan to DFO outlining a ceremonial harvest of two percent of the population, or 40 animals. The otters will be hunted for their pelts, which will be used by Ha’wiih (Chiefs) to line their cedar-bark shawls and other traditional adornments.
“People have to understand how valuable the sea otter is to our people,” said Ahousaht Elder Stanley Sam. “We have been with them for thousands of year. Big Chiefs use sea otters to recognize a great chief amongst our people.”
“Ha’wiih will designate their hunters and those hunters will receive permits from DFO through communal licensing programs,” explained Beach. “Kills will then be reported to the Nations’ fisheries departments. We’re asking for submissions of the carcasses for biological sampling.” According to Beach, there will also be training for hunters who want to learn how to skin the animal. “It’s apparently not that easy to keep a pelt intact,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa.
Plans for a ceremonial hunt have been filed with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but calls to their Vancouver headquarters were not returned today.
Tofino B.C.'s most recommended Fishing Outfitter.
www.tofinofishing.com
Westcoaster.ca Staff
ALBERNI-CLAYOQUOT - After a hundred year hiatus, the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations have announced their intentions to hunt Sea Otters again.
Wiped out by a commercial hunt that started colonization on the west coast in the 1800’s, Sea Otters were reintroduced in the Bunsby Islands near Kyuquot in the 1960’s. As the United States planned to test nuclear weapons near Amchitka Alaska, local Sea Otters were rounded up from the blast zone and moved to Vancouver Island.
Finding an area rich in urchins, crab, and other favoured foods, the Sea Otter population expanded by more than 20% each year, soon expanding their range to Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds.
According to Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council lobbied the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to change the Sea Otters status from ‘threatened’ to one of ‘special concern’, thereby opening the door to a ceremonial hunt.
“Nations wanted to manage sea otters in the Ha-houlthee according to customary and traditional principles,” NTC Central Region Biologist Katie Beach told Ha-Shilth-Sa. “This downlisting means they will soon have that option.”
Recent population surveys estimate more than 2,000 sea otters spread along the central west coast of Vancouver Islands. The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations have submitted a plan to DFO outlining a ceremonial harvest of two percent of the population, or 40 animals. The otters will be hunted for their pelts, which will be used by Ha’wiih (Chiefs) to line their cedar-bark shawls and other traditional adornments.
“People have to understand how valuable the sea otter is to our people,” said Ahousaht Elder Stanley Sam. “We have been with them for thousands of year. Big Chiefs use sea otters to recognize a great chief amongst our people.”
“Ha’wiih will designate their hunters and those hunters will receive permits from DFO through communal licensing programs,” explained Beach. “Kills will then be reported to the Nations’ fisheries departments. We’re asking for submissions of the carcasses for biological sampling.” According to Beach, there will also be training for hunters who want to learn how to skin the animal. “It’s apparently not that easy to keep a pelt intact,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa.
Plans for a ceremonial hunt have been filed with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but calls to their Vancouver headquarters were not returned today.
Tofino B.C.'s most recommended Fishing Outfitter.
www.tofinofishing.com
