Tribal engagement in regional ocean partnerships – round 3 funding FY24-25 columbia river tribal fish commission project title: advancing data management capacity among the columbia river inter-tribal…

Tribal engagement in regional ocean partnerships – round 3 funding FY24-25 columbia river tribal fish commission project title: advancing data management capacity among the columbia river inter-tribal fish commission (critfc), its four member tribes, and the west coast ocean alliance (wcoa) project description: the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $400,000 in funding over two years (2025-2027) to the columbia river inter-tribal fish commission (critfc) through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will strengthen the data management capacity of critfcs four member tribes and increase their engagement with the west coast ocean alliance (wcoa). The project will support critical upgrades to tribal database systems, improving interoperability, expanding traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) fields, and integrating new datasets into regional repositories. These improvements will enhance tribal participation in wcoa initiatives, including the west coast ocean data portal and the ocean health indicators dashboard, ensuring better coordination in regional ocean and coastal management. By facilitating the flow of tribal data into key regional repositories, the project will allow for more effective monitoring and protection of endangered salmon and steelhead stocks in estuarine and ocean environments. By improving data-sharing capabilities, critfc and its member tribes will be better positioned to support conservation efforts and contribute to decision-making processes that impact fisheries management and habitat restoration. The funding will also broaden tribal involvement in wcoa projects and the tribal caucus, ensuring critfc member tribes have the tools and resources needed to engage in ocean partnership activities. Through these investments, the project will enhance collaboration, increase access to critical ecological data, and support the sustainable management of coastal and ocean resources.