The Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) created a 5-year strategic plan from 2012-2017 to facilitate First Nations' meaningful participation in aquaculture. The plan focused on three strategic elements: increasing Aboriginal aquaculture development initiatives, supporting co-management of territorial aquatic resources, and improving communications and administration. The AAA's vision is for First Nations to play a key role in a healthy, sustainable aquaculture sector that respects their communities, culture, and values.

1. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
5-Year Strategic Plan (2012-2017)
Chief Richard Harry
Executive Director
Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

2. Background
 First Nations leaders recognize aquaculture as a
rapidly-growing economic sector that is brining
employment and prosperity to coastal and rural
communities throughout Canada
 Aquaculture is already occurring in traditional
territories
 Many First Nations want to explore potential to
become meaningfully engaged in the sector
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3. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
 Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) was
established in 2003 to serve as a
coordinating, certification and resource body
to facilitate the meaningful participation of
First Nations and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in
the aquaculture sector
• Not-for-Profit Organization
• Governed by a Board of Directors
 The AAA also engages with federal and
provincial governments to influence
aquaculture policy
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4. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
 The AAA operates with an open and inclusive
policy - i.e. services and support are provided
to any and all First Nations that request
assistance, not only AAA members
Objective
 To serve as a coordinating, certification and
resource body to facilitate the meaningful
participation of First Nations & Aboriginal
entrepreneurs in the aquaculture sector
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5. AAA – What We Do
 Access to Information
• Meetings, workshops, individually, newsletters
 Technical Assistance & Support
• Facilitate First Nations engagement in aquaculture
 Advocacy
• Influence aquaculture policy development federally &
provincially
• Promote & facilitate development of effective
partnerships
 Training
• Assist with Development & Delivery of training programs
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6. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
 AAA will continue to assist with the
realization of First Nations goals pertaining to
sustainable aquaculture development by
facilitating access to knowledge, technologies
and expertise to overcome the challenges and
constraints to Aboriginal aquaculture
development
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7. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
Vision
“First Nations will play a key role in the
development and management of a healthy and
sustainable aquaculture sector”
Mission
“To promote and assist the development of First
Nations’ aquaculture that respects and supports
First Nation communities, culture and values.”
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8. Guiding Principles
 Respect for each First Nation’s autonomy
 Enhance economic development opportunities for each
First Nation
 Implement shared decision-making and co-operative
management of resources between each First Nation and
government
 Ensure that First Nations realize the benefits from a
sustainable aquaculture industry
 Promote both socioeconomic and environmental
sustainability
Source: First Nations submission to NASAPI 8

9. Building a Better Future
 Aboriginal communities are increasingly
driven by a renewed entrepreneurial spirit
and a business focus aimed toward asserting
ownership and control over their resources
and destiny.
 Aquaculture is a new wave that has
approached the shores of First Nation lands.
It presents an exciting opportunity to re-build
First Nation economies and stimulate a new
era of self-sufficiency and prosperity.
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10. Building a Better Future
 Aquaculture presents an opportunity to
pursue spiritual, cultural, political and
economic development in support of a
sustainable economy and community self-
determination.
 The AAA believes that Aboriginal peoples and
communities deserve equitable access to
aquaculture development opportunities in
their traditional territories, should they
choose to pursue them.
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11. Challenges to Aboriginal Engagement in Aquaculture
1. Absence of a coordinated, strategic approach
to aboriginal aquaculture development
2. Lack of capacity and inadequate training for
skills development
3. Lack of awareness regarding economic
development opportunities in the sector
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12. Challenges to Aboriginal Engagement in Aquaculture
4. The costly, time-consuming and cumbersome
regulatory framework
5. Insufficient access to knowledge and
information regarding the implications of
aquaculture development in First Nation
territories
6. Inability to access investment capital
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13. AAA 5-Year Strategic Plan
 In 2011, the AAA renewed its Strategic Plan to
address the challenges and evolving needs fo
First Nations regarding aquaculture development
 The 5-Year Plan is built around three
fundamental strategic elements:
• Aboriginal Aquaculture Development Initiatives
• Co-Management of Territorial Aquatic Resources
• Communications and Administration
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14. AAA Strategic Objectives
Aboriginal Aquaculture Development Initiatives
 Increased direct involvement by First Nations
and aboriginal entrepreneurs in the aquaculture
production and supplies and services sectors
 Identification of skills requirements within
aboriginal communities to support aquaculture
development and provision of necessary training
 Improved access to investment and working
capital to support aboriginal aquaculture
initiatives
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15. AAA Strategic Objectives
Co-Management of Territorial Aquatic Resources
 Help to position First Nations to become
meaningfully engaged as co-managers of the
aquatic resources within their traditional
territories
 Foster socially, economically and
environmentally sustainable aquaculture
development based in part on aboriginal
principles and values and the application of
traditional ecological knowledge
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16. AAA Strategic Objectives
Communications and Administration
 Timely dissemination of objective information
regarding the scope, status and potential
opportunities for sustainable aquaculture
development
 Procurement of resources to support the efforts
of the AAA
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17. Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture
 Elements of the APSA:
• Third party certification program
developed by AAA
• Transparency and First Nation
(Aboriginal) Inclusiveness
• Social Responsibility
• Environmental Responsibility
• Economic Responsibility
 Ahousaht First Nation &
Mainstream Canada
• First to receive certification
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18. Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
 Each Strategic Element is supported by specific
Action Items
 Copies of the AAA 5-Year Strategic Plan are
available on the display table
 The AAA:
• Is ready to assist all First Nations in their quest to
explore opportunities in aquaculture development
• Welcomes your inquiries
Thank You
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