In northern Labrador, Canada, there’s a co-management board called the Torngat Joint Fisheries Board (TJFB). They help manage the fishing industry in the Nunatsiavut area, and the marine zone described in the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement (LILCA). The TJFB is made up of people from the local Inuit community, the Canadian government, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. They work together to make sure that fishing is done in a way that benefits everyone.
Over the past 15 years, the TJFB has been implementing chapter 13 of the LILCA for the people of Nunatsiavut. They have worked on research, made recommendations, and taught people about fishing. By creating a shared space for everyone to talk and work together, they have ensured that everyone’s voice is heard.
One important thing the TJFB has done is to focus on the long-term future of fishing. They want to make sure that the way fishing is done today will still be good for future generations. To do this, they need to keep talking and working together. It’s important for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to let co-management decisions stand and not use all their powers in the Fisheries Act. By working together and having more dialogue, we can make sure that fishing stays strong and healthy for everyone.
These points are captured in this recent academic article by Rachael Cadman et al. The paper is open access and in line with the values of the Co-management Commons to make this information accessible for people working in the co-management field.
Cadman, R., Snook, J., & Bailey, M. (2022). Ten years of Inuit co-management: Advancing research, resilience, and capacity in Nunatsiavut through fishery governance. Regional Environmental Change, 22(4), 127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01983-3