HSWS Continues Adults Salmon Spawner Survey in 2020

Rodney Lee, (right) speaks to three of the four volunteers (left to right: Anne Woosman, Jerome Cho, and Hannah Blanchard about that day’s spawner survey tasks.

Former hatchery manager and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Rodney Lee led a spawner survey in 2020.

Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense for the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to the DFO.

Four of our volunteers participated and went out each Saturday between Sept. 26 and Nov. 7. Participants had to walk in chest waders in and around the stream including stepping over fallen trees, walking on in-stream rocks and muddy banks, and crouching under overhanging tree branches to identify salmon species targeting chum and coho but occasionally other species (chinook, pink) may have been seen.

Thanks to those who participated!

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Left to right: Maiya Callister, Anne Woosman, and Jerome Cho.

HSWS Participates in Meeting with Fisheries Minister

Zoom screen capture via MP Ron McKinnon’s Facebook page

Invited and organized by Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society participated in a Zoom meeting on August 20 for a conversation on how our government can better support those who keep our waterways - and their inhabitants - thriving and healthy.

Attending the meeting was Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Mossom Creek Hatchery, Hoy /Scott Watershed Society, Hyde Creek Watershed Society, Maple Creek Streamkeepers, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society.

Attending for HSWS were directors, Anne Woosman and Kim Mayes. The meeting provided the opportunity for local hatcheries or societies to voice their concerns and share information.

Financial assistance for operations and programs at all hatcheries was inferred by the attendees.

Advice/guidelines were asked for infrastructure projects i.e. flood controls, enforcement of regulations, shorelines, and a Code of Practice for managing them.

The government’s, “Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) plays a key role in DFO's work to conserve and manage Pacific salmon stocks. The program's activities aim to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks, provide harvest opportunities, work with First Nations and coastal communities in economic development, and improve fish habitat to sustain salmon populations.”

New Executive Voted in at HSWS AGM

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To commemorate the new executive, we met at Hoy Creek on the weekend to pose for this group (distanced) photo. Left to right: Anne Woosnam; Tyler Storgaard, Emily Rossi, Kim Mayes, Lani Lehun and Robbin Whachell. Missing from the photo is Kyle Uno, Rodney Lee, and Sandra Uno (see bottom photo).

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society held its annual general meeting on May 20. The meeting, with elections, were held virtually through Zoom conferencing.

Stepping down and thanked after serving 3 terms was secretary Emily Rossi. Rodney Lee was also thanked for his ongoing service and leadership. He stepped down as vice president but both he and Emily remain on the board.

The new vice president is Tyler Storgaard who has also been acting as the assistant hatchery manager since September 2019. Sandra Uno is the new secretary, and new directors are Kim Mayes, Rodney Lee, Lani Lehun, Anne Woosnam, and Emily Rossi.

The newly elected join current executive, treasurer Kyle Uno, and president Robbin Whachell.

Sitting in on the AGM was Member of Parliament for Coquitlam / Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon, and coordinator of the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable  Sharee Dubowits.

May 20 AGM over Zoom. HSWS treasurer, Kyle Uno delivers the financial report for the year.

“I’m excited about our continued growth as a Society,” said president Robbin Whachell. “We have moved from strength to strength and this would not be possible without the spirit of this dynamic and extremely motivated group of volunteers.”

While the society is currently not engaging in any group activities due to the pandemic, the fish are being monitored by daily feeders, the hatchery has weekly check-ins by management, and all is being overseen by the Department of Fisheries & Oceans.

Hoy - Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Unable to make the group HSWS executive board photo at the creek in the top photo, here are Rodney Lee (Director), Kyle Uno (Treasurer) and Sandra Uno (Secretary).