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Tsawout First Nation invited to convention on ocean conservation in Africa

Tsawout First Nation invited to convention on ocean conservation in Africa

Tsawout First Nation will present two topics at the International Marine Conservation Congress

Four delegates from the Tsawout First Nation, located on the Saanich Peninsula, will present two topics on food sovereignty and indigenous protected areas at the International Marine Conservation Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.

In October, Chief Abraham Pelkey, Councilman John Etzel Sr., Marine Use Planner Laís Chaves and Fisheries Manager Chrissy Chen will fly to Africa to present their work on the international stage to 800 attendees.

“To save our oceans, we need everyone’s help: scientists, government officials, people who use the ocean, and those who manage the ocean’s resources, we must all work together,” a press release from the First Nation said.

The first abstract, titled “Harnessing Indigenous-led kelp farming: a nature-based solution for food sovereignty and sustainable economic benefits,” focuses on food security and mitigating environmental degradation through Indigenous-led kelp farming.

“Kelp forests promote biodiversity, store carbon, and improve water quality, increasing the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate change,” according to a summary of the topic. “The economic benefits of kelp farming provide a diversified income stream, reducing reliance on single-sector economies vulnerable to market fluctuations. In addition, kelp-derived products such as biofuels, fertilizers, and animal feed offer promise for sustainable economic growth.”

The second topic, titled “Conserving and Enhancing Sustainable Livelihoods: The Tsawout First Nation’s Initiative in Creating a Protected Area for Indigenous Peoples in the Salish Sea,” focuses on the QEN,T Marine Protected Area, which the First Nation established in 2023 to “combine traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices to protect critical marine ecosystems and promote sustainable nature-based economies.”

The 7th International Marine Conservation Congress will take place from 13 to 18 October and aims to bring together those involved in ocean conservation to exchange ideas and take action to improve the long-term health of our oceans.