Race Rocks Marine Protected Area DFO Expenses 2002-2010

“If we are to learn from past mistakes in the Process of Creating Marine Protected Areas, then it must be documented transparently so that stakeholders might have an opportunity to inform themselves.”

The complete version of this report can be found complete with graphs at
https://racerocks.ca/racerock/admin/atipreport/atip.htm

Background and Rationale for this report:
When we started the MPA designation Process for Race Rocks in 1999, I believe we all went into it assuming that the process of community involvement and stewardship would be one that could be a model of how ordinary people could help to achieve ecological conservation. Further to this, they could play a valuable role in assisting governments in creating one regime, devoid of jurisdictional barriers for the management of humans to ensure ecological sustainability of this unique resource. It was also hoped, that there would be unprecedented transparency in the process. At the time there was no reason that it could not become a template for the establishment of a network of Marine Protected Areas.

The Initial MPA Advisory Process involving the Race Rocks Advisory Board ended in 2002 when the consensus of the Board was not accepted by DFO office in Ottawa, and the resulting modified document gazetted was repugnant to RRAB members as well as First Nations. The Master’s Thesis of Sean Leroy provides a good overview of why this process had failed. Continue reading

Race Rocks Update May 2009

Eight Years Later: It is with irony that I write this update, 8 years to the day since Angus Matthews wrote an update in 2002

In 2001 we were still optimistic that a full fledged MPA for Race Rocks would be forthcoming. In the interim, most of the members of the Race Rocks Advisory Board have moved on. As for the representatives of Lester Pearson College, Angus Matthews is now Executive Director of the New Marine Centre in Sidney, and Garry Fletcher has retired from teaching at Pearson College, but remains as Educational director of the racerocks.com website and assists with advice in the administration of the reserve. Chris Blondeau, the Director of Operations of Lester Pearson College is now in charge of administering Race Rocks for the College.

In the interim, Lester Pearson College has continued to raise funds to provide an Eco-guardian at Race Rocks since the de staffing of the Lightstation in 1997. Mike and Carol Slater retired in 2008. and Ryan Murphy, a former student of Lester Pearson College and now a graduate student from Memorial University is now hired as our resident Eco- Guardian. Over $1,000,000 has been raised by Lester Pearson College dedicated to the protection of the reserve since 1997. BC Parks has been helpful in providing for infrastructure upkeep on the island . DFO has not contributed anything to the operation of the reserve.

The rejection by the First Nations of the Gazetted version of the Advisory Board proposal of 2001 led to a cessation of the advisory process . A significant change in the text of the original proposal of the Advisory Group when it was submitted to DFO made the proposal unacceptable to First Nations as well as to many others of the Advisory board.

Sean LeRoy et al, have analyzed the process and have documented it in the Publication : Public Process and the Creation of the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area

From page 8:

” On October 28, 2000, the draft regulations for the XwaYeN (Race Rocks) Marine Protected Area appeared in the Canada Gazette, Part I (O’Sullivan 2000). The proposed regulatory text established the no-take zone within the boundaries of the Ecological Reserve. The accompanying Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) incorporated most of the other consensus recommendations of the RRAB, but also stated: “…although the creation of the MPA does not restrict harvesting by First Nations for food, social or ceremonial purposes, they volunteered to forego this activity in support of the designation of the MPA”

This provision was a surprise to the CSSC, other members of the RRAB, and many at DFO. In November 2000, the Chiefs of several Douglas Treaty First Nations wrote a letter of objection to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, citing the Delgamuukw vs. British Columbia (1997) decision, infringement of treaty rights, and lack of consultation (RRAB 2001). It is not clear whether this objection was a direct result of the Gazette publication, or whether it derived from earlier events such as Miramichi Bay or the ‘designation’ ceremony. Regardless, the regulatory process was halted immediately. Caught in the crossfire, the CSSC lost any currency it had as an intermediary between the Douglas Treaty First Nations and DFO, and has not been involved in the deliberations ever since.
In December 2000, DFO met individually with each Chief of the Douglas Treaty First Nations, acknowledging that proper consultation had not taken place (RRAB 2001). By June 2001, the Chiefs had written a letter of support for the MPA, on the condition that there was true co-operation and acknowledgement of Douglas Treaty rights. Negotiations to allow the final designation of the MPA are currently ongoing (April 2003). “

During the interim since 2001, DFO has pursued negotiations with the local First Nations Treaty Group. In April of 2009, DFO representatives have expressed interest in resolving the issues this year.

So now from my viewpoint in 2009, the perspectives on the MPA process have changed somewhat. We are currently committed to maintaining the ecological sustainability of the provincially designated Ecological Reserve. The Ecological Reserve has now been in operation for 29 years. The community has accepted the importance of the area and has recognized the value of conservation. It would be of great assistance to Lester Pearson College if the area was to become financially sustainable with support from governments. I am not so sure however if the designation of MPA status remains of any value.

On the DFO webpage http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa/fntreaty_e.htm the following is a statement on
Respecting First Nations and Treaty Process :

“Canada and B.C. consider First Nations support and participation in the MPA Strategy as important and necessary.  Both governments will ensure and respect the continued use of MPAs by First Nations for food, social and ceremonial purposes and other traditional practices subject to conservation requirements.  Therefore, MPAs will not automatically preclude access or activities critical to the livelihood or culture of First Nations.  The establishment of any MPA will not preclude options for settlement of treaties, and will address opportunities for First Nations to benefit from MPAs.”

Given the above statement it is hard to imagine why 9 years has passed without this being resolved and why no support in the interim has been forthcoming from DFO for the Ecological Reserve. It would appear that it is successful as it is now so one might wonder why adding another layer of bureaucracy is necessary.

The above statement represents the personal opinion of Garry Fletcher.

Lessons from Marine Protected Areas and Integrated Ocean Management Initiatives in Canada

From:
http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/courses/bio416/MPAs_Canada.pdf

Coastal Management, 35:51–78, 2007
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0892-0753 print / 1521-0421 online
DOI: 10.1080/10.1080/08920750600970578

SYLVIE GUENETTE ´
JACKIE ALDER
Fisheries Centre
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada
and
Centre for Coastal Studies and Continuing Studies in Science
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby BC V5A 1S6

Abstract: There is a wave of interest in Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Integrated Management (IM) as tools for addressing declines in marine environments through ecosystem-based management.

Lessons learned from seven MPA and two IM initiatives in Canada show
how engaging stakeholders results in: building and maintaining momentum through
social capital; using the collective knowledge of stakeholders; consensus through
formal and informal rules; and developing leadership capacity. However, as the number
of issues or the number of stakeholders increases—especially where fisheries are
involved—time, resources, and challenges in gaining support and participation increase.
Political and administrative obstacles and resistance to change still constitute much of
the challenge. Finally, funding and political commitment must be allocated from the
start; otherwise momentum stops and it is hard to regain even when funding becomes
available.

The following excerpt is a case study of Race Rocks:

Racerockspart1 Racerockspart2

First Nations Burial Cairns on Great Race Rock Island

The configuration of the rocks in several stone mounds at Race Rocks are suggestive of First Nations use of this area for burials in the period AD 500. Investigation into sites on the lower part of Vancouver Island, have shown that over 400 such sites exist on the nearby Rocky Point area.
These sites have recently been the subject of a Master’s thesis by Darcy Mathews of the Anthropology Department, University of Victoria.

Darcy Matthews visited today to document these cairns.

For the complete reference to this topic go to http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/firstnations/burialmound/burialmound.htm

Archived Videos : First Nations at Race Rocks

On November, 2003, we hosted a group of First Nations divers from Nass River. Matt Hill provided information on the marine resources of that area.

On May 2, 2000, we were privileged to take several members of local First Nations to Race Rocks. The late Earl Claxton, councillor of the Tsawout First Nations and his grandson were among those attending. Joe Bartleman, councillor of the Tsartlip First Nations also helped us to visualize the importance of marine animals in the diet of the people.

They talked with us about the past and present role of coastal ecosystems in the lives of the Salish people. These people always have been an integral part of ecosystems such as this one at Race Rocks. These video clips convey some of the stories that Earl and Joe had to tell about their people and their interactions with marine resources.

“When the tide went out, the table was set” for First Nations people in this area.  At Race Rocks this would have been particularly important because of the rich biodiversity in the intertidal zone.

 Matt Hill explaining the Northern BC First Nations names of marine resources  Earl Claxton, councillor of the Tsawout First Nations and Joe Bartleman, councillor of the Tsartlip First Nations interviewed at Race Rocks offer comments on the role of First Nations people in the coastal ecosystem of the Salish Sea.  Earl tells us about the food and medicinal role of some marine algae from the intertidal areas  Transportation on the Salish Sea was so important to the cultures of the West Coast. While looking at an old carved canoe, Earl reflects on the types of canoes used . This canoe is used as a focal point for First Nations resources in our education program.

The Salish First Nations have lived as part of the Race Rocks Ecosystem for millennia. We have been fortunate to have as our advisor on the Marine Protected Area Advisory Committee a long time friend of the Pearson College Community, Tom Sampson of the Tsartlip First Nation. Through his wise guidance, we have come to realize the importance of the Race Rocks area as a valuable resource for education about First Nations Values.

Archived Video on History of Race Rocks.

 

 Demolition at Race Rocks: Shows the stone building originally built at the base of the tower and the wooden foghorn tower. Both removed in the ’60’s and 70’s. See this file on the foghorns.  Darcy Mathews explains his research on Burial Cairns at Race Rocks to the Anthroplogy students from Pearson College.

Rusted parts of the old boiler from the engine room are carried up to a
collection of other old parts stored at the base of the tower.

History of Race Rocks with early photos.

History of the Klallam Name for Race Rocks

xwayenmThis word written in the Klallam language means “fast flowing water”, the area around Race Rocks. The late Thomas Charles of Beecher Bay First Nations provided this name in March of 1999. It was transcribed from the word written out in Klallam by his wife Flora Charles .(See details below)

We are grateful to Burt and Lee Charles, the late Thomas Charles, Tom Sampson, Andy Thomas, Vern Jacks, and Earle Claxton who have helped us to understand how important the coastal waters and Race Rocks are to the Salish people and their culture. We believe we started on a fruitful path in involving local First Nations people in the educational program at the Race Rocks MPA. This will allow us all to better understand the science and conservation principles practiced for generations on this coast.

rrlogocolxwmMuch of what we are now doing at Race Rocks and the surrounding area is not new. For countless generations Sooke Basin, Beecher Bay and Pedder Bay provided shelter and ideal locations for First nation communities. The great wealth of sea-life provided generous opportunity for harvesting of foods and medicines. Careful conservation techniques, passed down through the generations ensured the resources were managed in a truly sustainable manner, at least until the arrival of the Europeans. On Tom Sampson’s advice, we suggest you read the Bamberton Report which provides considerable detail of the cultural dependence that First Nations people have on the land and the coastal areas of the Salish Sea. Tom sees the report as a valuable model for the way we should respect the knowledge of First Nations people when we create plans for managing protected areas.

For more than just the most recent millennia, people lived and worked as an integral part of the coastal ecosystems of Southern Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They managed the resources for their own survival. They valued the land and the water ecosystems because they did not see themselves as separate from those systems. Place names were important since only through the language can one understand the importance of natural areas to the First Nations people.

earlinvertsOn a visit to Race Rocks with Tom, Andy and Vern, we were told of the way their people would use the gull eggs in a sustainable way so that they would always have some for later. The sea urchins were also a special food. Their power was such that only those of a certain age could eat them, as the eggs were too strong for the younger people. Sea cucumbers had their top end cut off, were cleaned out and then stuffed with other kinds of food. Mussels and barnacles as well as the myriad of snails, whelks, chitons and other intertidal invertebrates were standard fare for the people. The area also provided a wealth of the standard fish resources. Often seafood that was collected was traded with the interior people from Washington, as far as the South end of Puget Sound.

In early1999 the Marine Protected Area Advisory Board indicated that we would like to acknowledge First Nations traditional use of the Race Rocks MPA with a name in the local Coast Salish Language.

In March of 1999, Tom Samson and Angus Matthews visited one of the oldest Klallum-speaking elders, the late Tom Charles and his wife Flora who were living then in Beecher Bay. He asked them if they could help to provide the place names for the area and a name for the Race Rocks MPA. Thomas had strong memories of the traditional ways. (Sadly, Thomas Charles passed away in December of 1999.) In his discussion with Tom Samson, he recorded some of the place names of this corner of Vancouver Island and gave a sense of how their ancestors lived within the ecosystem. Location and language is so important to them when talking about culture. The late Flora Charles wrote down the words that the late Tom Charles spoke in Klallum so that the Advisory Board would be able to use them. This is a copy of the words Flora Charles wrote out for the Advisory Board. The area from Pedder Bay to Beecher Bay was a community that was totally dependent on the coastal resources well into the twentieth century. Race Rocks was known as xwayenthe area in which one could get any kind of food they needed. Thomas Charles remembered his parents going to sell ling cod from Race Rocks the area of “Xwayen” (the word written in the Klallum language means “fast flowing water” to the buyer in Pedder Bay, “Whoayinch” in the 1920’s. Church Island, visible from Race Rocks out in front of Beecher Bay was ” Kquitong”, the Raven’s hang out.
See spelling in Klallam below:

They recorded the conversation, and Flora Charles wrote down the Klallam spellings shown in her handwriting below. An audio casette of this conversation is included in the Pearson College librarytcharles

 

Cooperative management of marine protected areas, the First Nations view: Lessons learned from the Race Rocks Area of Interest.

This pdf is from: Recommendations for Effective Marine  Planning Processes
Lessons Learned from Case Studies in Canada, the USA
and Australia:

see PDF: wwf_northwestatlantic_recommendationsforeffectivemarineplanning

 Living Oceans Society
and World Wildlife Fund Canada
January 2005

See page 16-117 for : Cooperative management of marine protected areas, the First Nations view: Lessons learned from the Race Rocks Area of Interest.

 

 

First Nations Divers at Race Rocks


November 2, 2003 : We hosted a group of divers from the Nass River area on a dive at Race Rocks. Accompanying the Divers were Matt Hill and his wife Joanne. Matt who comes from Dolphin Island near Prince Rupert, provided some interesting information about the interactions of the people of his nation with marine resources.
fndiver

Earle Claxton Reflects on Early Transportation

At Race Rocks we have an old dugout canoe which provides the focus on the way of life experienced by the First Nations people who lived in the Coastal Areas of the Pacific North West. In this video the late Earle Claxton reflects on the different boats used by his people in the early days.

canoe jimneleboat jimboat joaoboat
The first nations canoe found on Taylor Beach now displayed at Race Rocks . Pearson College students Jim and Nele talking about the canoe with visiting elementary school students. Jim Palardy discusses First Nations history in the area with a group of students from a grade 7 class. Joao and visiting students examining some of the First Nations food items.