Marine shipping and boat traffic significantly shape the ecological landscape of the Snuneymuxw First Nation territories, making it essential to understand these activities’ impacts. Recently, members of Transport Canada were welcomed by the indigenous community for a cultural tour, fostering collaboration to address the effects of marine shipping on traditional lands. The visitors, representing a treaty negotiations group, engaged in dialogue about the cumulative effects on the First Nations territory.
This initiative is part of the Cumulative Effects Monitoring System (CEMS), a program funded by Transport Canada. The program’s primary focus is to monitor and assess the impacts of marine shipping, including the effects of boat traffic on the natural habitat. The Snuneymuxw First Nation community, in partnership with Transport Canada, conducts extensive reviews of biotoxins and cumulative effects to understand better how these factors impact their land.
One of the key components of this collaborative effort is the collection of baseline data. Although the community may not have the authority to enact changes, its goal is to lay the foundation for future interventions. For instance, they are actively involved in the cleanup of oil spills, working towards mitigating the immediate environmental consequences.
A noteworthy aspect of the initiative involves collecting remotely operated vehicle (ROV) data from ships that engage in activities such as dragging anchors. This data is instrumental in understanding how these practices affect the natural habitat of marine life. By collecting and analyzing this information, the Snuneymuxw First Nation community can present a comprehensive overview to Transport Canada, making them aware of the specific actions and their consequences on the traditional land.
Notably, the collaborative effort between the indigenous community and Transport Canada enhances everyone’s understanding of the intricate relationship between marine shipping activities and the Snuneymuxw traditional lands.
By engaging in such monitoring and data collection initiatives, the community gains insights into the current impact and contributes to the broader goal of sustainable and responsible marine practices. While the immediate focus may be on clean-up efforts and data collection, the long-term objective is to empower communities with the knowledge needed to actively participate in shaping the future of marine shipping in a way that respects and preserves the integrity of their traditional territories.