The socio-economic report identifies the scope of the socio-economic benefits to Aboriginal communities in BC, through direct and indirect participation in finfish aquaculture.
The report is premised on the general view that sustainable aquaculture can provide the kinds of economic development and employment opportunities that can sustain coastal First Nations communities and allow people to continue to live in and depend upon their tribal territories for culture and prosperity.
At the same time, however, this report is not intended to gloss over the fact that aquaculture remains a controversial subject among First Nations communities. The ongoing resistance to aquaculture development is a result of many factors, including potential infringement on aboriginal and treaty rights, and potential effects on wild fisheries populations. Aquaculture may also be perceived as a non-aboriginal venture that is technically and financially inaccessible to First Nations but which exploits First Nations' resources with little to no compensation. Clearly, aboriginal opposition to aquaculture development cannot be expected to diminish until aboriginal peoples are full participants in, and beneficiaries from, aquaculture development.
