Efforts to protect and restore fish populations throughout British Columbia are getting a boost through stronger collaboration between First Nations and government.

The Province has provided the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia (FNFC) with $2 million in funding to support work on fish, water and aquatic and coastal ecosystem health over three years.

“Working in partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. to increase our healthy fish populations benefits all British Columbians,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This funding will help FNFC build on the work they have already done, to restore and maintain aquatic and coastal ecosystems and promote sustainable use and conservation for future generations.”

The funding will increase capacity and collaboration between First Nations and the Province to help support provincial planning and management of fisheries, aquatic resources and watersheds, as well as enable the partners to work with the federal government on areas of shared interest.

"First Nations are at the forefront of conversations about the stewardship of fish, water and aquatic ecosystems within their territories,” said Stu Barnes, executive director, First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. “For that participation to be meaningful, co-ordination and resources need to be in place, and capacity funding from the government allows us to provide that support to First Nations.”