Open Collections

Justrabo, Charity

University of British Columbia

Altered ocean conditions caused by climate change are causing shifts in the distribution of marine species. As a result of these biogeographic shifts, coastal Indigenous communities are experiencing significant social, economic, and cultural impacts associated with declines in culturally important species (CIS). There are concerns that this may further exacerbate losses that have occurred due to colonialism. Due to the complexity of the social-ecological systems that have evolved around CIS, it is of vital importance to evaluate the effects on both the social and ecological aspects of the system. This research is the result of a collaborative project with the Haida community of Skidegate which investigates these impacts upon the traditional marine food system and opportunities for building adaptive capacity. A mixed-methods approach was used: 1) analysis of projected relative abundance of CIS within 100 km of Skidegate under two climate scenarios and 2) interviews and a focus group with knowledge holders. Seven functional groups were created based upon the life-history traits of CIS with declines projected in relative abundance for five of the functional groups by 2080 relative to 2000 under both high and low emissions scenarios: clams and cockles, Pacific salmon, Pacific herring, sharks and groundfish. Crustaceans and emerging species (albacore tuna, market squid) were projected to increase representing an opportunity for novel fisheries. Methods of preservation identified in interviews were used as biocultural functional groups with CIS groups classified according to relevant preservation methods to assess the combined social-ecological impacts of changing abundance. Redundancy within biocultural functional groups were then assessed, e.g., declines in Pacific salmon abundance would lead to declines in smoking as this was the only group that was preserved using this method. Additionally, findings from interview and focus group analysis indicate that local adaptation strategies that can be implemented within the existing capacity of the community were prioritized by participants. Many strategies described facilitate the restoration of the Skidegate traditional marine food system signifying that restoration is adaptation. This research is intended to increase the decision-making capacity of Skidegate for fisheries management and illustrates how Indigenous self-determination should be supported within adaptation planning.

Text

2023-08-24

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/85623

Oceans and Fisheries

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/