HEILTSUK SIGN ONE-YEAR IM ON HERRING SOK

The Heiltsuk and Canada have signed a one year Interim Measures (IM) agreement, on a without prejudice basis, aimed at resolving issues related to the amount of Herring Spawn on Kelp (SOK) that the Heiltsuk will harvest. The Interim Measure includes an increase in the amount of herring that them Heiltsuk will harvest, from 144,000 pounds to 240,000 pounds of herring Spawn on Kelp for the 2001 SOK season.

The Heiltsuk view the Interim Measure as one step towards the proper implementation of their rights to harvest herring SOK commercially as recognized in the Gladstone decision. Much more work needs to be done but the Heiltsuk will continue to negotiate differences on the issue of SOK harvest providing Canada negotiates in good faith.

The Interim Measure is intended to avert a crisis for the 2001 SOK season and allow an environment that is conducive to negotiations regarding a long-term solution to the implementation of the Gladstone decision. It will also allow for an environment that is more conducive to discussions in the treaty making process.

The Interim Measure will address the management of the resource in the region, and establish some certainty for this fishing season for the industry. The Interim Measure includes an independent study that will assess the impact of increased SOK production on product prices.

For More Information Please Contact Chief Councilor Robert Germyn at the Heiltsuk Tribal Council 250-957-2381.