SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation and Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre will collaborate to develop a regenerative sea farm business on Pender Island to attract significant private and public capital investment.
Led by the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation, the S,DÁ,YES (Pender Island) Sea Harvest Farm initiative will create the framework required to attract capital investment to build an aquaculture farm. Partnering with the Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre, the project will establish a new business, support responsible economic growth in a sensitive ecosystem, and benefit both Nation members and Pender Island residents.
Island Coastal Economic Trust is investing with SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation through the Investment Readiness Program, which includes a Project Development stream. This stream empowers rural and First Nations communities to develop and de-risk large-scale projects by producing investment-ready capital expenditure and business plans.
This project will develop opportunities within the emerging aquaculture industry, aligning with the Nation’s priorities on food security and local job creation.
Economic Prosperity: The development of this regenerative aquaculture initiative will form a new business and provide the framework required to attract future private and public investment into the Southern Gulf Islands. The Nation anticipates the farm will become a $1.5 million capital project.
The project will also foster several partnerships, including a business agreement between the Nation and the Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre.
Social Empowerment: The first phase of this initiative will create a project coordinator position and several temporary consultant roles. As it advances into a capital project, it is projected to create two full-time and six part-time permanent positions.
The Indigenous-led project will also build inclusive economic opportunities for Nation members, increasing skills and employment opportunities in an emerging sector.
Climate Resiliency: Regenerative aquaculture focuses on sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions and improve marine ecosystems. It reduces carbon emissions through natural carbon capture and by reducing transportation required to import food.
Harvesting food within their traditional territories also supports a reciprocal stewardship practice that aligns with SȾÁUTW̱ priorities.
Cultural Vitality: the project revitalizes SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation traditional aquaculture practices, preserving cultural heritage while adapting these practices to modern regenerative aquaculture techniques.
Brodie Guy
CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
brodie@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797
Chrissy Chen
Fisheries Manager
SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation
fisheriesmanager@tsawout.ca
250-652-9101 ext. 324
Island Coastal Economic Trust approved funding for this project in February 2025 through the Investment Readiness program.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
