HFS VESSEL AND GEAR DIVERSIFICATION FUND 2023/2024

**CLOSED** HFS Vessel and Gear Diversification Fund 2023/2024

Updated December 7, 2023

Due to the ongoing negotiations between the five Nations and Canada, the Ha’oom Fisheries Society (HFS) is offering interim funding support solutions to the Five Nations Fishery through the HFS Vessel and Gear Diversification Fund 2023/2024. 

The Vessel and Gear Diversification Fund 2023/2024 is funded through the interest earned from money held by the HFS since its creation in 2020. As the HFS is a new society, it took some time for these funds to accumulate enough interest to be able to support the fishers.

The interim funding solutions for 2023 has been split into three categories:

  • $400,000 will be distributed to support fishers with their vessel and gear (more details below);
  • $300,000 will be released to support infrastructure (more details to come); and
  • $100,000 will be released to add a buying component to the Society (more details to come).

Background Information

Grants
At A Glance

VESSEL AND GEAR DIVERSIFICATION GRANTS

The HFS Vessel and Gear Diversification Grants were developed to provide immediate financial support to the T’aaq-wiihak fishers while the five Nations remain in negotiations with Canada. These grants are funded through the HFS Vessel and Gear Diversification Fund 2023/2024, which was created from the Ha’oom Fisheries Society’s own revenue. 

GRANT 1 - FUEL SUBSIDY GRANT (COMPLETED)

A $1,000 grant was provided to active T’aaq-wiihak fishers to help them with their fuel costs.

Grant 2 - VESSEL AND GEAR FUNDING GRANT (NEDC SUBSIDY)

This $5,000 grant will support fishers with existing or newly approved Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation fishing loans through loan subsidy options. In order to receive this grant, a registered T’aaq-wiihak fisher must either:

  • have an existing NEDC fishing loan, or
  • apply and be approved for a new NEDC fishing loan.

The $5,000 grant will be paid directly to NEDC. More information and full grant conditions below.

GRANT 3 - TBA

More information to come.

OPENING OCTOBER 17

VESSEL AND GEAR FUNDING GRANT

 We are excited to introduce a new funding opportunity for vessel and gear upgrades in partnership with NEDC.

The HFS Vessel and Gear Funding Grant will support Ahousaht Nation and the Tla-o-qui-aht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nations (the five Nations) fishers who either have existing NEDC fishing loans or apply and are approved for NEDC fishing loans. Under our grant program, eligible fishers will receive $5,000 grants that will be paid directly to NEDC and allocated to the fishers’ existing or new NEDC fishing loans. Applications will open on October 17th!

This grant will only be offered this year while we wait for the Interim Reconciliation Agreement (IRAFR) to be signed and have the funds released from this agreement.

OBJECTIVES

  • To support our fishers in buying new fishing gear and vessels to improve their fishing operations, safety, and overall productivity.
  • To fuel economic growth within the five Nations’ communities by providing loan payment assistance. By reducing the financial burden of loan payments and empowering fishers with resources to upgrade their equipment and expand their fishing activities, we aim to provide relief, financial stability, and economic development to our T’aaq-wiihak fishers and communities.
  • Prioritize safety by helping fishers invest in safe and modern fishing gear and vessels, reducing the risk of accidents at sea.

OVERVIEW

1.    What You Need to Know:

  • When: Funding options available from mid-October to support existing or new NEDC fishing loans.
  • Partnership: Funding flows through NEDC to support fishers. HFS is collaborating with NEDC to maximize our contributions toward fishing-related upgrades for the T’aaq-wiihak fishing fleet.
  • Opportunity: Access a $5,000 grant provided by Ha’oom Fisheries Society to eligible fishers.
  • Application Date: Applications will open on October 17th!
  • Conditions Apply: See conditions below or contact Ha’oom for more details. 

2.   Do You Have an Existing NEDC Fishing Loan?

  • Confirm Eligibility: Are you a registered T’aaq-wiihak fisher who has landed fish within the last three years with an existing NEDC fishing loan?
  • Apply for the HFS Vessel and Gear Funding Grant: Fill out our application form. Your application will be reviewed by an internal grant committee.
  • Prepare: While waiting for approval from our grant committee, prepare to provide your NEDC loan number to an NEDC loan officer. NOTE: Ha’oom Fisheries Society will not ask for your NEDC loan number or any other confidential information. Please contact Abby Titian-Manson at 250 725 2802 or abigail@haoom.ca if you have any questions about this process. 
  • Connect: When approved, your grant application will be forwarded to NEDC and you will be contacted by an NEDC loan officer to discuss your loan subsidy options.

3.   Are You Applying for a New Loan? Preparation Is Key:

  • Confirm Eligibility: Are you a registered T’aaq-wiihak fisher who has landed fish within the last three years? Note: This grant is only available to T’aaq-wiihak fishers who have applied and are approved for an NEDC fishing loan. 
  • Plan Ahead: Know your desired equipment/vessel needs before applying. Please review the grant conditions below for information on which types of purchases/repairs qualify for this grant. 
  • Research: Specify what equipment or repair you want to use the grant for, research the cost, and know where you would like to buy it from or where to get the repair done.
  • Quotes: Get purchasing information/quotes ready for your application.
  • Apply for the HFS Vessel and Gear Funding Grant: Fill out our application form. Your application will be reviewed by an internal grant committee.
  • Connect: When approved, your grant application will be forwarded to NEDC, and you will be contacted by an NEDC loan officer to start your loan application.
  • Simultaneous Access: NEDC will create a loan package that includes forgivable loans from NEDC, the HFS Vessel and Gear Funding Grant, and other commercial harvesting grants available to Nuu-chah-nulth-aht fishers to offer the best option to T’aaq-wiihak fishers.

4.   How Will the Grants Be Paid Out?

Once a fisher’s application has been approved and sent to NEDC, NEDC will review the application and determine the best way to use the $5,000 grant for the fisher. NEDC will select from the three options below, choosing the one that maximizes the most benefits for the fisher. NEDC will also explore opportunities to combine the HFS grant with forgivable loans from NEDC and other commercial harvesting grants available to Nuu-chah-nulth-aht fishers.

  • Option 1 (Current NEDC Fishing Loans): Apply a $5,000 Lump Sum to an Existing NEDC Fishing Loan
    This option is designed to support fishers who currently have fishing loans with NEDC by applying a $5,000 lump sum to their existing fishing loan.
  • Option 2 (New NEDC Fishing Loan Applications): Apply a $5,000 Lump Sum to a New NEDC Fishing Loan Application to Reduce the Initial Contribution
    This option is tailored for fishers applying for new fishing loans with NEDC. It allows the fisher to reduce the initial contribution required to secure their new loan by $5,000.
  • Option 3 (Current Loans and New Loan Applications): $5,000 via Deferred Payments
    This option is designed to support both fishers with existing fishing loans from NEDC and those applying for new fishing loans with NEDC. Through this option, NEDC will pay out the $5,000 grant over time, directing the deferred payments toward the fisher’s loan payments or interest rates, depending on the fisher’s specific loan terms.

GRANT CONDITIONS

1.    Eligibility

  • In order to receive this grant, a registered T’aaq-wiihak fisher who has landed fish in the past three years must either:
    • have an existing NEDC fishing loan, or
    • apply and be approved for a new NEDC fishing loan.
  • New T’aaq-wiihak registrations may be considered if they submit a detailed fishing business plan to Ha’oom Fisheries Society along with their grant application. Please contact Abby Titian-Manson at 250 725 2802 or abigail@haoom.ca if you have any questions about this process.

2.    Other Considerations

At HFS, we understand that the fishing industry encompasses a diverse group of individuals with varying business models. In line with our commitment to inclusivity, we can also expand our eligibility criteria to support a wider range of circumstances (to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

  • Fishers Who Acquired Financing from Other Institutions: If you’re a fisher who sought financing from banks such as TD, BMO, or other financial institutions to obtain a loan for a fishing vessel or fishing gear purchase or upgrade, but didn’t obtain loans from NEDC, we welcome you to participate. Please send us an email, and we will review your case on a case-by-case basis to determine your eligibility for the HFS grant.
  • Fishers Who Reinvested Earnings: For fishers who reinvested their current year’s earnings to expand their business through capital acquisitions, such as vessel purchases or upgrades, or fishing gear purchases or upgrades, or other means without requiring loans, we also invite you to reach out to us. Send us an email, and we will carefully review your unique situation to assess your eligibility for the grant. We believe in supporting all eligible T’aaq-wiihak fishers, regardless of their financing arrangements or reinvestment strategies, and we want to ensure that this grant program aligns with your specific needs.

3.    Approved Grants

  • Grant can be used for existing or new NEDC fishing loans.
  • Grant can be used for both large and small vessels.
  • For T’aaq-wiihak fishers who are applying for an NEDC fishing loan, they must complete the NEDC fishing loan application and have it approved by NEDC in order to receive the HFS Vessel and Gear Funding Grant. 
  • Grants will be paid directly through NEDC.

4.    Options for Approved Grants

  • Purchase of a boat (new or used)
  • Purchase of a motor (new or used)
  • Boat repair or maintenance service (the vessel must be registered to you)
  • Boat trailer purchase or repair (the trailer must be registered to you)
  • Purchase of fishing gear
  • Purchase of boat safety and communication equipment (new or used)

CLOSED

Background

In 2009, the BC Supreme Court recognized the aboriginal rights of the five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations of Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht (known as the five Nations) to catch and sell all species traditionally harvested within their territories.

Since that time and as required by the Court, Canada and the five Nations have been engaged in a negotiation process with DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) regarding the implementation of economically viable fisheries for the five Nations.

In 2017, the five Nations collaborated with DFO and CIRNAC (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada) to develop a document, referred to as the term sheet, that outlined an approach to reach the implementation of the five Nations’ fishing rights. Funding for infrastructure and for vessel and gear was included in this approach.

Canada used this document to secure a “mandate” from the Federal Cabinet to negotiate with the five Nations. Canada received this mandate to negotiate in May 2019.

Until COVID, the five Nations met with Canada’s representatives bi-monthly and were making “measured” progress. After COVID measures were lifted, the meetings were infrequent, and progress was challenging. However, since January 2023, the meetings have been more frequent, and DFO and the five Nations affirmed their commitment to conclude an interim agreement, called the Interim Reconciliation Agreement on Fisheries Resources (IRAFR), by September 2023. Part of the funding agreement will be distributed for vessel and gear (dependent on the signed agreement).

The Ha’oom Fisheries (HFS) Society Board of Directors has decided to release some of the Society’s funds from its own revenue to help support the five Nations fishers this year, so they don’t have to wait for the negotiations to be completed and for DFO to release the vessel and gear, and infrastructure funding from the negotiated agreement.

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