Shared Waters Alliance

The Shared Waters Alliance is working group focused on concerns about shellfish harvest closures and contaminated waters in Boundary Bay — a critical section of Canada-US transboundary habitat.

Semiahmoo First Nation has lived in the Boundary Bay region for thousands of years, downstream from the TATALU (Little Campbell) River. Because of pollution in the TATALU and in Boundary Bay, the Nation had to discontinue the generations-long practice of shellfish harvesting.

The Shared Waters Alliance brings together First Nations, government agencies, non-government organizations and the public to collaborate, inform and improve the status of water quality in Boundary Bay. First formed in 1999, the Alliance suspended work from 2011-2017. The Alliance was re-invigorated and resumed its work in 2018 as a grassroots group led by Semiahmoo First Nation and local non-profit organizations.

This is their vision:

Boundary Bay is a healthy, vibrant ecosystem, with diverse and abundant flora and fauna, and robust water quality including clean rivers and creeks, providing First Nations food, social and ceremonial security and a rich natural heritage for future generations.

The Fraser Basin Council staff have provided facilitation, secretariat and strategic support to the Alliance.