W.A.T.C.H.

We All Take Care of the Harvest

We All Take Care of the Harvest (WATCH) is a First Nations-led program managed by the Island Marine Aquatic Working Group (IMAWG), designed to support First Nations in their work to protect seafood safety, security, and sovereignty.

A Reciprocal Relationship

Caring for the harvest that sustains the people

For the Nations along the coast of British Columbia, the ocean is much more than a source of food, it is a provider that defines cultural identity and community health. For thousands of years, coastal Nations have maintained a reciprocal relationship with the water – one where communities care for the harvest, and the harvest in turn sustains the people.

From the ancestral engineering of clam gardens to the seasonal cycles of the salmon, harvesting practices are grounded in deep, place-based knowledge. The gathering, preparation, and sharing of these foods are what bind generations together, keeping languages, traditions, and ways of knowing alive.

The Harvest

Foods that bind generations together

Shellfish & Intertidal Life

Shellfish, including clams, mussels, oysters, and crabs, provide reliable, nutrient-dense nourishment. These species are often carefully tended through ancestral practices that increase productivity while maintaining ecological balance. They remain a primary indicator of the health of the beaches and a cornerstone of community food systems.

Salmon & Finfish

Salmon are foundational to the seasonal cycles and knowledge systems of coastal Nations. They connect the deep ocean to the heart of the rivers. The harvest, processing, and sharing of salmon and other fish, such as halibut, herring, and oolichan, reinforce the role of Nations as the original stewards of these waters.

Seaweeds & Marine Plants

Seaweeds and other marine plants are vital components of a healthy coastal diet, providing unique nutrients and seasonal variety. Foods such as kelp, laver, and sea asparagus are harvested from intertidal areas and have long been valued for both their nutritional benefits and cultural importance. Gathered with precise knowledge of timing, place, and regeneration, the seaweed harvest reflects a holistic relationship with coastal ecosystems. These practices support not only food security, but also the continuation of knowledge, traditions, and connections to the shore.

Four key areas of focus

WATCH Goals

01

Amplify – The Voice and Partner

We advocate for First Nations seafood safety, security, and sovereignty. We work to ensure First Nations are partners in policy decisions.

The Goal: Equity – First Nations leading the conversations that affect their waters.

02

Equip – Tools and Training

We are working to build community-led monitoring by aiming to provide training in harmful algae identification and biotoxin testing, alongside communication tools and equipment. Our goal is to bring together scientific research and traditional knowledge to support local hands-on work.

The Goal: Autonomy – Supporting communities as they build the capacity to monitor their own waters.

03

Connect – The Gathering Table

We act as a bridge connecting First Nations, government regulators, and academic researchers to share information and work together.

The Goal: Synergy – Breaking down barriers so everyone works together when marine safety issues arise.

04

Catalyze – Future Resilience

We are working toward developing climate and health risk assessments and sharing knowledge that helps communities adapt to changing waters and new climate threats.

The Goal: Sustainability – Building the foundation to keep our coastal food systems safe and resilient for generations to come.

What WATCH Support Could Look Like

WATCH is working with participating Nations to determine what monitoring and seafood-safety support would be most useful in their communities. Depending on community priorities and program capacity, this work may include:

Community-Based Monitoring

  • Supporting new or existing harmful algal bloom monitoring programs
  • Sharing sampling equipment, supplies, protocols, and technical guidance
  • Supporting water-quality and phytoplankton observations

Training and Capacity Building

  • Harmful algae identification and microscope use
  • Field sampling and sample-handling methods
  • Water-quality monitoring

  • Data management, interpretation, and sharing

Information Sharing and Early Warning

  • Bringing monitoring information together to identify changes in harmful algal blooms over time

  • Developing clear seafood-safety and risk-communication resources

  • Strengthening connections among Nations, researchers, and regulatory partners

Seafood Safety and Food Sovereignty

  • Supporting community discussions about harvesting priorities and concerns

  • Mapping important harvesting areas

  • Bringing community and ancestral knowledge together with scientific observations, where Nations choose to do so

The Journey

Past, Present & Future

PAST

A Pilot Begins

The WATCH project started in 2020 as a pilot program led by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). It was created in response to concerns from coastal First Nations about how climate change and warming waters could affect the safety of locally harvested shellfish.

The program began with four partner Nations and later expanded to include four more. During this pilot phase, communities focused on building connections, monitoring their waters, and sharing knowledge. They received initial training and equipment to support harmful algae monitoring in their local waters.

This early work, made possible through the dedication of community members and project partners, laid the foundation for a community-led approach to seafood safety.

PRESENT

Leadership Transitions to IMAWG

In 2025, leadership of the WATCH project officially transitioned to IMAWG. This move ensures that WATCH is led by a First Nations organization with a strong focus on Indigenous fisheries and coastal ecosystems. FNHA and BCCDC continue to be important partners in this work.

WATCH is currently in a building phase supported by funding from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) AAROM Innovation and Collaboration Fund. The current focus is on strengthening the program, building long-term capacity, and preparing for future growth. To support this work, a Steering Advisory Committee has been established with representatives from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), DFO, BCCDC, FNHA, the Province of British Columbia, and Vancouver Island University (VIU). We have also expanded the team with scientific and program coordination support. This initial year is focused on listening and building a strong foundation for the next chapter of WATCH.

We are approaching this phase with deep respect for First Nations priorities. We are taking the time to meet with communities individually to listen to their goals, interests, and needs for the future. The goal is to ensure that future growth is thoughtful, well supported, and guided by First Nations priorities.

FUTURE

Gathering & Growth

As WATCH prepares for the next steps, we are hosting an online meeting in late summer 2026 for all interested Nations to connect. This will be followed in the fall by a two-day, in-person gathering on Vancouver Island to bring current members and partners together, share what we have learned, and help shape the future of the WATCH network.

As the program grows, our goal is to support more coastal First Nations in developing their own community-based monitoring programs. Each Nation will determine what participation looks like for them while benefiting from shared training, resources, scientific support, and opportunities to learn from other Nations. By working together as a network, communities can strengthen local capacity while building a broader understanding of changing coastal conditions across the region.

Building lasting partnerships between communities, science, and government takes time, trust, and ongoing support. Under IMAWG leadership, we are working toward making WATCH a permanent First Nations-led program that helps protect seafood safety, marine food systems, and coastal communities for generations to come. We welcome collaboration from First Nations organizations, researchers, government agencies, and others who share this vision and are interested in contributing their knowledge and expertise.

What WATCH Support Could Look Like

WATCH is working with participating Nations to determine what monitoring and seafood-safety support would be most useful in their communities. Depending on community priorities and program capacity, this work may include:

Community-Based Monitoring

  • Supporting new or existing harmful algal bloom monitoring programs
  • Sharing sampling equipment, supplies, protocols, and technical guidance
  • Supporting water-quality and phytoplankton observations

Training and Capacity Building

  • Harmful algae identification and microscope use
  • Field sampling and sample-handling methods
  • Water-quality monitoring

  • Data management, interpretation, and sharing

Information Sharing and Early Warning

  • Bringing monitoring information together to identify changes in harmful algal blooms over time

  • Developing clear seafood-safety and risk-communication resources

  • Strengthening connections among Nations, researchers, and regulatory partners

Seafood Safety and Food Sovereignty

  • Supporting community discussions about harvesting priorities and concerns

  • Mapping important harvesting areas

  • Bringing community and ancestral knowledge together with scientific observations, where Nations choose to do so