Many First Nations are supportive of aquaculture activities in their territory and have negotiated mutually beneficial agreements to protect their traditional territory and provide economic and social opportunities for their communities.

While some First Nations are opposed to salmon farming in their territory, many others have worked with  aquaculture companies to form partnerships or agreements that respect traditional rights and provide economic and social benefits to their communities. 

Mainstream Canada and Ahousaht First Nation signed a historic protocol agreeement in 2001, and has continued to build on that relationship with a renewal and renegotiation of that agreement recently signed in 2010.  

This agreement provides economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits to Ahousaht and provides Mainstream Canada with stability in its operations, access to local employees, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in the development of aquaculture operations in Ahousaht territory.