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# Community-based fish and wildlife work plan developed for Carcross/Tagish Traditional Territory

The first community-based fish and wildlife work plan for the Carcross/Tagish Traditional Territory has been developed in collaboration between the Government of Yukon, Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council.

The plan addresses a range of topics, including caribou and bear management, increased angling and harvest pressure on fish populations, habitat degradation resulting from recreational access, and ways to better share and celebrate traditional knowledge.

Highlights of the plan include:

- increased education and outreach with residents, non-residents and First Nation citizens on live release practices for fish and the need for selective harvest tools for fish management;
- expanded efforts to reach out to communities on caribou recovery;
- development of a community strategy to address grizzly bear concerns and human/bear relationships;
- coordinated action to address the impacts of recreational user groups and access on wildlife; and
- assigning a dedicated a conservation officer to service the Carcross and Tagish areas.

The plan honours the direction from the Carcross/Tagish Final Agreement, builds on previous work and includes new ideas brought forward by the community. Within the plan, all things are considered cumulatively and holistically, recognizing that everything is inter-connected.

> This work plan reflects a collaborative approach to the management of wild species and their habitats in the Carcross/Tagish Traditional Territory. We are pleased to work with the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council on this important initiative. We look forward to working together on priorities outlined in the plan, including the establishing a dedicated a conservation officer for the Carcross and Tagish areas.

> Our fish and wildlife are part of who we are as people. Their health and wellbeing reflect directly on ours. We thank the Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council and the Government of Yukon for their help in developing this community-based plan.

> This plan will set the stage for a cooperative approach to fish and wildlife management programs in the Southern Lakes by the Yukon government, Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council, resource users and the public over the next 5 years.

Media contact

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca

Erin Loxam
Communications, Environment
867-334-8390
erin.loxam@gov.yk.ca

Stewart Burnett
Communications Advisor, Carcross/Tagish First Nation
867-332-3993
stewart.burnett@CTFN.ca

Ken Reeder
Chair, Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council
867-334-1223
kenreeder2@gmail.com

News release #:
20-383
Related information:
Wildlife and habitat planning