Wildlife Conservation: Maximum Sustainable Yield and Indigenous-Led Conservation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM), and the Anishnabe Moose Studies case study from La Verendrye Park.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The highest theoretical equilibrium yield or largest average catch that can be continuously taken from a stock under existing environmental conditions without significantly affecting the reproduction process.

Surplus Production Model

A fisheries and wildlife model based on logistic population growth, where the population increases proportional to biomass, the rate of increase slows near carrying capacity ($K$), and the rate of change is maximized when biomass is at half its carrying capacity ($\frac{K}{2}$).

Graham’s Theory of Sustainable Fishing (1935)

A biological principle stating that a fishery remains sustainable if removals are replaced by stock production each year; when stock size is maintained at half its carrying capacity ($\frac{K}{2}$), the population growth rate is fastest and sustainable yield reaches its peak ($MSY = \frac{rK}{4}$).

Biomass at Maximum Sustainable Yield ($X_{MSY}$)

The standing stock biomass level at which the natural growth rate balances harvest to yield maximum production, mathematically defined for the logistic growth function as $X_{MSY} = \frac{K}{2}$, where $F'(X) = 0$.

Fishing Pressure ($F$)

The measure of effort (such as boats, nets, and hooks) applied to harvest fish, where exceeding the level needed for MSY ($F_{MSY}$) transitions the fishery into overfishing, resulting in reduced stock biomass and smaller catches.

North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM)

A prevailing conservation framework grounded in seven established tenets that views wildlife as a public trust resource managed by government trusteeship, prioritizing Western science, statutory harvest rules, and an anti-commercialization ethic.

Indigenous-Led Conservation (ILC)

A conservation paradigm grounded in long-standing relationships with land, kinship, animals, food, and place, relying on intergenerational, relational knowledge embedded in Indigenous law and governance.

Two-Eyed Seeing

A collaborative conservation epistemology highlighted in the Indigenized North American Model (I-NAM) direction, where Indigenous knowledge and Western science coexist to inform shared decision-making.

Continuous Learning and Improvement (I-NAM)

The proposed eighth tenet added to the conventional seven tenets of the North American Model to integrate ongoing learning, adaptation, and shared governance in wildlife stewardship.

Hudson Bay Wampum Belt

A historical treaty belt between Indigenous nations and settlers containing environmental clauses stating that settlers would not harvest more than one kind of tree or dig deeper than three feet.

Wampum Belts (Anishnabe Governance)

Traditional woven artifacts—specifically four belts and one string in Anishnabe governance—used as formal records of historical events, laws, and inter-nation agreements.

Anishnabe Moose Research Committee

A research initiative begun in December 2021 and coordinated by Waba Moko (Shannon Chief) to assess moose declines and build an Anishnabe-led management plan around La Verendrye Park, Quebec.

La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve (La Verendrye Park)

A protected territory in Quebec where Anishnabe community efforts and observations of a 15-year population decline led to a temporary moratorium on sport hunting.

Moose Health Changes Survey (Figure 8)

An observational dataset collected across 64 community surveys and workshops in eight Algonquin communities, identifying primary health issues such as tick presence, lower twinning rates, smaller adults, lower bodyweight, and increased mortality.

Hereditary Land Stewards

Traditional Anishnabe land caretakers who hold authority over family territories and traplines to make decisions regarding land use and annual moose harvest limits.

SEPAQ

The Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, where community members propose establishing Anishnabe Employee Liaison positions to build mutual understanding and educate staff on ancestral moose teachings.

Sharing System (Anishnabe Moose Ethics)

A core cultural principle prohibiting the commercial sale of moose meat and mandating communal sharing, where surplus harvests are directed to Elders Centers to educate youth and provide food.

Reparative Justice (Community Enforcement)

An Indigenous justice model proposed for community-appointed conservation officers and game wardens to enforce penalties for over-hunting through restitution and healing rather than punitive settler law.

Land Defenders and Knowledge Keepers

Proposed paid, full-time positions for community members to live directly on Anishnabe territory, observe wildlife, relearn traditional land practices, and pass ecological knowledge on to future generations.

Hunting Technology Restrictions (Community Recommendations)

A suite of proposed moose protection measures banning the use of baiting (salt, carrots, electronic calls), 4-wheelers, hunting blinds, hunting towers, bow and arrows, and trophy hunting.