Respect for First Nations recognized in new aquaculture certification

Respect for First Nations recognized in new aquaculture certification - Mainstream Canada the first to meet the standard

Campbell River, BC - May 4, 2011

Mainstream Canada is the first salmon farming company in Canada to be certified under a new third-party standard which ensures that sustainable management of aquaculture includes First Nations values and interests.

An independent audit in March determined that Mainstream Canada's practices at their Clayoquot Sound sites within the traditional territory of the Ahousaht First Nation meet the requirements of the Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA) standard, established by the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA).

"APSA is a First Nations-driven initiative that will ensure that aquaculture is carried out in a manner that respects First Nations culture, values and ensures protection of First Nations aquatic resources," said Richard Harry, President of the AAA. "It is a positive approach to all issues: social, environmental and economic. This is the first step forward to a nationally recognized aboriginal inclusive certification program."

Recognizing that sustainable aquaculture development had the potential to play a major role in the diversification and strengthening of the local and regional economies of First Nations the AAA was established in 2003. The Association provides guidance an
d advice with respect to sustainable aquaculture development to First Nations and works with government and industry on issues related to the management and regulation of aquaculture that impact First Nations.

The APSA standard requires First Nations and the applicant to work together and develop a local sustainability plan to ensure the aquaculture operations in their area are conducted in accordance with the principles in this standard and reflect the specific values and interest of the local First Nation.

The Ahousaht First Nation has a population of approximately 2,000 people and is located on Flores Island in Clayoquot Sound. Mainstream Canada is the second largest aquaculture business in B.C. and part of the Cermaq group of companies. The company operates 27 sea sites, three hatcheries and one processing plant. Together, with support from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Aquaculture and Innovation and Market Access Program, they participated in the pilot project testing this third-party accreditation process.

Elements of the APSA standard include:

• Transparency and First Nations Inclusiveness
• Social Responsibility
• Environmental Responsibility
• Economic Responsibility

The auditor received many positive comments from members of the Ahousaht First Nation, which has a protocol agreement with Mainstream Canada guiding the principles for working together and establishing a sustainable and mutually beneficial salmon farming operation.

"We have confidence and pride in the work we are doing with Mainstream," said Wally Samuel, chair of the Ahousaht Fish Farm Committee. "With this certification we can see that the high standards that we expect from Mainstream are being met and that the company is serious about their sustainable practices and commitments to First Nation communities."

"Our attitude towards salmon farming is one of continual improvement and we are grateful to be able to work with Ahousaht and the AAA to achieve this high APSA standard, said Laurie Jensen, Mainstream Canada's Communications and Corporate Sustainability Manager. We look forward to using this certification to work with Ahousaht to make the partnership even better and we recognize that it will be an important tool in the development of new partnerships with First Nations communities."

For more information contact: 

Marguerite Parker, Program Administrator, AAA 
margueriteparker@shaw.ca
www.aboriginalaquaculture.com

Laurie Jensen, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Mainstream Canada 
laurie.jensen@mainstreamcanada.com
www.mainstreamcanada.com

In the photo: Wally Samuel (from left), chair of the Ahousaht Fish Farm Committee, Marguerite Parker, program administrator for the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA), Richard Harry, AAA president, Laurie Jensen, Corporate Sustainability Manager for Mainstream Canada and Karin Maier, First Nations Consultant Co-ordinator for Mainstream Canada, gathered May 3 to celebrate Mainstream's APSA certification. 

Background Information

Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA)

The First Nations people have long been stewards of the natural resources upon which their communities depend.  Although sustainability is a concept that is embedded within First Nations society, the development of a formal process by which these values can be expressed in modern society is often lacking.

The guiding set of Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA) provides a standard for the structural and operational framework under which First Nations can be assured that their values, expectations and interests are included in the sustainable management of aquaculture operations.

Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

The Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) was established as a federally incorporated company in July, 2003. The Aboriginal Aquaculture Association is a sectoral organization designed to assist, support and facilitate the meaningful participation of First Nations in sustainable aquaculture development.

It serves as a resource body providing guidance and advice with respect to sustainable aquaculture development, regulation and management of aquaculture.

It believes that aquaculture development has the potential to play a major role in the diversification and strengthening of the local and regional economies of First Nations.

The vision created by the founding members of the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association is:

• First Nations will play a key role in the development and management of a healthy and sustainable aquaculture sector.

The mission of the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association of Canada is:

• To promote and assist the development of First Nations' Aquaculture that respects and supports First Nation Communities, Culture and Values.

Scope and Applicability of the Standard

The Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA) (the Standard) can be applied to any aquaculture organization in Canada that wishes to include the values and interests of First Nations in the management of their operations and gain recognition through the use of the AAA Certified Sustainable logo. This Standard is normally applied to aquaculture operations within the traditional use areas of First Nations.

The Standard requires First Nations and the Participant (typically a company) to work together and develop a local Sustainability Plan to help ensure the aquaculture operations in their area are conducted in accordance with the principles in this Standard and reflect the specific values and interest of the local First Nation.

The Sustainability Plan is a brief, concise action plan that will function as a dynamic process and help enable the Participant and the First Nation to maintain an ongoing dialogue and continued conformance with the Standard for the operations that are within scope of the audit.  The scope of each audit process is focused toward an individual First Nation's traditional territory.

Elements of the Standard include:

• Transparency and First Nations Inclusiveness
• Social Responsibility
• Environmental Responsibility
• Economic Responsibility

Assurance and Certification

The initial certification audit and subsequent surveillance audits shall be conducted by a qualified third-party Certification Body approved by the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association. The qualifications of the Certification Body will be determined by the AAA.  Surveillance audits shall take place at least annually.

Auditors are required to have the knowledge and skills to conduct an audit and report audit results in accordance with International Standard ISO 19011:2002, Guidelines for Quality and/or Environmental Management Systems Auditing.  A detailed checklist has been developed and forms an important component of the completed audit documentation. 

Third-party certification to this Standard and subsequent logo use will be available to each Participant that passes a certification audit. Interested Participants need to contact the AAA to initiate the certification process. 

For more information on APSA Certification or on the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association please contact: 

Richard Harry, President
Email: richard@aboriginalaquaculture.com

Marguerite Parker, Program Administrator
Email: margueriteparker@shaw.ca