The A/OFRC work plan revolves around requests made by UOI member First Nations. Whether your community has concerns about the health of a fish population in your traditionally fished waters, or would like to receive training in fish habitat management or commercial fishing techniques, the application process is the same. In September of every year, the A/OFRC faxes a short letter and a one page "letter of intent" form to community band offices. This form initiates discussion between our staff and a representative from your community. Generally this representative is recommended by the Chief, or Chief and Council. Depending on the community, this representative could be an EDO, band manager, natural resource portfolio holder or resource technician. Knowledge of the resource or assessment techniques is not a pre-requisite, however we do require that the individual be authorized by the community to develop a proposal on their behalf.
Download the "letter of invitation" and "letter of intent" form
Download Letter of Intent Form 2010-11
The Annual Deadline for the submission of Letters of Intent is September 30th.
Once we receive the letter of intent, an A/OFRC Project Leader is assigned to assist the community representative in the development of a full proposal. The Project Leader can explain different assessment techniques or training we offer, and will assist with completing the technical sections of the formal proposal.
The A/OFRC has approved two types of administered projects. The majority of our field program involves First Nations whose projects are administered by the A/OFRC. This means that the A/OFRC provides an experienced project leader, pays for field expenses, supplies boats and equipment and processes the payroll for any crew members that were hired out of that community.
However, there are communities which have the internal capacity to administer their own projects. These First Nations may have a permenant fisheries unit, have experienced technicians on staff or they may have community members who have worked with the A/OFRC for many years and can hire these individuals to conduct the type of program the community has proposed. For these First Nations, A/OFRC involvement in their projects takes the form of financial support, technical advice, field auditing and the analysis, writing and distribution of technical reports.
Representatives who wish to apply for projects their community will administer should download and submit First Nation Administered Project Application Form.
First Nation Administered Project Application Form
Download First Nation Project Application 2009
A/OFRC Administered Project Application Form (A/OFRC staff are available to assist with the completion this form)
Download AOFRC Administered Project Application 2009
The Annual Deadline for the submission of Fisheries Project Proposals is October 31st.
Mid November, all project proposals are sent out to our Projects Committee which is made up of 6 A/OFRC Board Members. This committee offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to the review process and is comprised of both Native and non-Native individuals. Currently, this Committee has representation from the Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Trent University, as well as an experienced commercial fisher, resource technician, and band councillor.
The staff and committee meet in early December of each year and review each proposal in detail. During this process, the Committee advises the staff if further work is required (more information, changes in assessment methods...) before the proposal will be considered. Community representatives will be notified by A/OFRC Project Leaders if more information or significant changes are required.
In late January of each year our Projects Committee reviews each proposal once again. This time it is reviewed for merit, budget and other considerations, and is measured against A/OFRC staffing abilities and equipment availability. From this process, a complete program is presented to the A/OFRC Board for approval.
In early February, the A/OFRC informs First Nation Chief and Councils if their projects have been approved for the upcoming field season. At this time, local or area OMNR offices are also informed by letter, of our intent to conduct the approved projects.
