Wildlife and
Migratory
Birds

This chapter sets out Nisga’a rights to harvest wildlife and freshwater fish, other than steelhead. It also creates and describes a permanent role for Nisga’a people to manage these resources.

What are our rights to harvest wildlife?

Nisga’a have the right to harvest wildlife in the Nass Wildlife Area. For those species designated by the Minister, a harvest allocation will be established according to formulas agreed to in the Treaty. For all other species, we can harvest as many as we need for domestic purposes, subject only to conservation and legislation that is enacted for the purposes of public health and safety.(see Nass Wildlife Area map in Appendices)

What are the Nisga’a allocations?

Can wildlife harvested under the Treaty be sold?

Any sale of wildlife must be in accordance with to federal and provincial law of general application, as well as Nisga’a laws.

How will Nisga’a Government be involved with managing wildlife?

While the Minister is responsible for management of wildlife, Nisga’a Government will also have important law-making authorities and planning responsibilities with respect to the Nisga’a harvest.

Nisga’a Government may make laws about most aspects of the management of the Nisga’a harvest provided those laws are not inconsistent with the Treaty or annual management plans. Examples include:

> The distribution of our entitlements among Nisga’a citizens;

> The authorized methods, timing and locations of the harvest;

> The designation and documentation of persons who may harvest wildlife; and

> Trade and barter of wildlife.

Each year, Nisga’a Government must develop and propose an annual management plan for review by the Wildlife Committee and approval by the Minister. It will include such matters as:

> How people hunting under the Treaty can be identified;

> Methods to be used in the harvest of wildlife and wildlife fish;

> Where and when the harvest will take place;

> Monitoring of the harvest; and

> The number of animals on Nisga’a Public Lands that persons other than Nisga’a citizens will be allowed to harvest.

In addition, the Nisga’a Nation will appoint four of the nine members of the Wildlife Committee which will review and recommend an annual management plan to the Minister.

What is the role of the Wildlife Committee?

A body established to make recommendations and give advice, designation of species, harvest levels, annual management plans, as well as studies and other matters. It will facilitate sharing of information with other management and advisory groups.

Will my trapline be affected?

Existing traplines will not be affected by the Treaty. Nisga’a Government will obtain traplines on Nisga’a Lands that become vacant.

Will there be new guiding opportunities?

More opportunities are likely. Currently, the permit to guide hunters in the entire territory is held by a single guide-outfitter. However, if this permit becomes available in the future, British Columbia will issue a licence and certificate to the Nisga’a for an area set out in Appendix K of the Treaty. Nisga’a Government will have an angling guide licence identified in Schedule D.

What are Nisga’a rights to harvest migratory birds?

Nisga’a citizens have the right to harvest migratory birds for domestic purposes and the right to trade and barter in accordance with the Treaty.