MAKING LINKAGES: EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF AQUACULTURE AND THE POTENTIAL OF INTEGRATED MULTI-TROPHIC AQUACULTURE (IMTA) IN BRITISH COLUMBIA  

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is an alternative approach to standard practices in the Canadian aquaculture industry. The Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network (CIMTAN) has conducted six years of research on the development of IMTA in Canada, and, as the initiative comes to a close, many have recognized the need to communicate and disseminate its results to the broader public and organizations who may be interested in the technology. First Nations have previously expressed such an interest, but there have been few opportunities for them to engage with scientific experts on its development. This study is exploring First Nations opportunities and challenges in  aquaculture governance in British Columbia (BC). As part of CIMTAN's goals to disseminate research results on IMTA, we sent out a 'Call of Interest' to BC First Nations communities to co-host information seminars on IMTA and to discuss how to support First Nations interests in IMTA-related development.

Seminar workshops were held in Terrace, Campbell River and Vancouver from January to March 2015. Nineteen participants from 18 different First Nation organizations participated in the information sessions and discussed the positive and negative aspects of IMTA and its potential development in First Nation communities. As part of a participant action research approach, we also had the opportunity to offer additional support by request to those participants interested in pursuing IMTA-related development.

The majority of participants found IMTA to be an appealing concept that reflected the values of their First Nation organizations and communities, and the scientists were reminded by participants at each workshop that First Nations were amongst, if not the first, aquaculturists in the world, and that IMTA had been practiced by First Nations for thousands of years. However, participants found that there were still gaps to be addressed in meeting community interests, and many of these gaps were due in part to the under-development of IMTA in BC. As discussed by participants, some First Nations may be interested in pursuing IMTA projects, and, perhaps, focusing on projects that specifically address community food security would generate more engagement.

First Nations must navigate multiple obstacles in order to consider IMTA as an alternative aquaculture development. The collective interest in IMTA was seen as astrength for moving forward: participants expressed a need to access training opportunities, share and exchange knowledge, and form partnerships between local markets, multiple Nations, academics, and industry. These steps would create space for First Nations to integrate their interests throughout the planning process, research and early development of IMTA systems, while offsetting the risks of new development.