To: Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board
Regarding: Development of 'On-the-Land' Wildlife Monitoring Programs

Issue:

The fact that local concerns first alerted wildlife managers to problems in the Aishihik caribou herd, coupled with existing documented local and traditional knowledge prompted the workshop to recognize that ongoing community involvement in monitoring the status of wildlife in the planning area was vital to the success of the plan. However, based on past experiences both in CAFN Traditional Territory and elsewhere in the Yukon, the workshop recognized that such programs often begin with enthusiasm and broad support but are rarely, if ever, maintained. Because this appears to be a common problem throughout the territory, it was agreed that the matter should be addressed by the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board.

RECOMMENDATION to YFWMB:

The Aishihik Planning Workshop therefore recommends that the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board undertake to investigate and recommend means by which 'on-the-land' community based wildlife monitoring systems could be successfully established and maintained to support population monitoring programs established through wildlife management plans.