| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Clams and other shellfish are central to many aspects of coastal First Nations communities including food security, health and nutrition, economy and trade, and culture. However, the current shellfish management systems in BC have created barriers to a flourishing shellfish food system. This research project explores the concept of transformative change towards Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) as a pathway to restore shellfish food systems. The objectives of this research project are to (1) synthesize a framework for IFS in shellfish food systems, (2) identify and describe barriers to harvesting shellfish, and (3) explore levers for change to re-establish a thriving shellfish food system that benefits both people and nature. This research project employs literature review with a mixed-methods qualitative approach using NVivo 12. Inductive coding was used to develop a framework that categorizes barriers based on pillars and indicators of IFS. Deductive coding was used to explore levers that instigate transformative change in shellfish food systems. The main barriers identified were: (1) high levels of shellfish contaminants that pose risks to human health; (2) a lack of monitoring that contributes to long-term closures at shellfish harvest sites; (3) limited access to shellfish harvest sites due to land privatization and coastal development; and (4) loss of Indigenous culture relating to shellfish management practices. The main recommendation is to establish a specific organization with the mandate to support Indigenous shellfish harvesters. This support could include three main components: regional pollution identification and correction programs, regional phytoplankton monitoring and shellfish testing, and eco-cultural restoration programs that provide opportunities for cultural resurgence.
Keywords: shellfish food systems, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, transformative change, British Columbia, sea gardens | en_US |
