Stikine River salmon management advisory committee terms of reference

November 15, 2001

Mission statement

• Provide direction to governing agencies or other bodies in regards to the long-term management goals of salmon stock conservation and sustainable resource use on the Stikine River.

Responsibilities

• To consider issues relating to the effective management and future health of Stikine salmon stocks, their habitat and associated fisheries.
• To provide input into decision-making that reflects the ethics, interests and knowledge of the parties represented.
• To promote an ecosystem approach to management by balancing the needs of the environment, community and economy and by recognizing the linkages between these components.
• To make recommendations on the above considerations to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans through the Area Director.
• The committee may advise on issues related to:
  • Management of the fisheries in all sectors.
  • Stock conservation or enhancement and habitat protection or restoration.
  • Fishery regulations, licensing, and enforcement issues.
  • New opportunities of fishery utilization.
  • Allocation, (in amount and by area), of salmon to users.
  • The content of management plans, policies and procedures related to the above.
• The committee may also review proposals and provide guidance in regards to same.
• DFO advisors and others will provide the committee with the necessary technical background and support.

Voting membership

• The Board shall be comprised of ten voting members.
  • Four representatives from the Tahltan/Iskut First Nations
  • Two independent representatives from the Canadian in-river commercial fishery
  • Two Great Glacier Salmon Ltd. representatives
  • One representative from the recreational fishery
  • One representative from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
• Committee representatives may appoint alternate members, to ensure a quorum.
• Each member has the responsibility to regularly attend board meetings, keep informed of current issues and to seek input from and inform constituents of outcomes of Committee meetings. Other duties can be outlined by the board following discussion.
• The committee members shall cast a total of one vote per representative.
  • The sole exception is the DFO representative, who would cast a vote only as a tiebreaker or if necessary for a quorum.

Quorum

• A quorum shall be composted of at least five voting members with a minimum of two Tahltan/Iskut First Nations representatives, two Canadian commercial representatives and one representative from the recreational sector.

Non-voting membership

• The committee may invite interested parties or advocacy groups to sit as non-voting members of the committee and participate in discussions.

Chairperson

• The chair shall be elected by membership of the committee, for an initial term of two years.
• The chair shall:
  • provide administrative co-ordination; develop agendas in conjunction with committee membership; provide direction in regards to mandated responsibilities and perform other duties as outlined by the committee.
• The chair shall represent the committees' consensus when speaking on their behalf.

Secretarial support

• The committee shall appoint one of its members or a representative thereof to provide secretarial support.

Meetings

• The committee shall meet not less than twice a year, in regards to its responsibilities.
• The committee may hold in-season meetings to advise on management issues as necessary.
• Minutes for each meeting shall be kept and distributed.

Committee review

• A review of committee membership, chairperson and the committees' overall performance will be conducted on a regular basis as outlined at the committee's discretion. This review will examine representation of interests and terms of committee appointments to ensure needs are being met. A review process for the committee's overall performance will be determined by the committee.

General conditions

• These terms of reference shall be without prejudice to Tahltan First Nation or Iskut First Nation Treaty negotiations and shall not affect any aboriginal rights and entitlements.
• These terms of reference are subject to revision.

Committee costs

• The costs for member participation will be the responsibility of the parties they represent.
• Where possible and subject to funding, DFO and other participating groups will make every effort to assist in costs that facilities effective operation of the committee.