HSWS attends meeting with MPs McKinnon and Beech

MP Ron McKinnon and MP Terry Beech

On January 18, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon provided an opportunity for local hatchery administration to speak with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Terry Beech, to discuss the current issues, as well as challenges facing watersheds and hatcheries in our community.

President, Robbin Whachell and hatchery manager and vice president of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Tyler Storgaard attended the meeting. Also in attendance was the Watershed Watch Society, Hyde Creek Watershed Society, Mossom Creek Hatchery, and the Maple Creek Streamkeepers Society.

Society President Named Community Champion

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society president Robbin Whachell was recognized by a local member of parliament as a ‘Community Champion’ in September 2020.

"My annual award program, Community Champions recognizes the dedicated leaders and community volunteers in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam who work hard to build and better our community,” said Ron McKinnon Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. “There are so many unsung heroes in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam that make a difference in our lives every day."

McKinnon’s presentation stated, “Robbin Whachell is the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and a passionate environmental steward I was fortunate to tour Hoy Creek at the beginning of the year and hear firsthand about the amazing work being down by Robbin and the team under her leadership.”

A Zoom party was held on Sept. 2 for McKinnon to congratulate his selection of 2020 Community Champions.

Robbin responded with, “I’d like to thank Ron McKinnon for this honour. I’m humbled and know that I stand with many other volunteers in my own organization, as well as other community groups or individuals who help make a difference where they live.”

Others named as McKiinnons community champions were Ann Pratt, Polly Krier, Barry Brizza, Deon Feng, Luca Hung, Ravinder Safaya, Jamie Haakons and Keisha Go, as well as Robert Buringi and Carli Travers.

Instead of gathering for a barbecue, dinner was provided to everyone via door delivery by Pantina Brewing & BBQ in Port Coquitlam.

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).

MP for Coquitlam Visits Hoy Creek Hatchery

Thank you Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam - Port Coquitlam for taking time and interest in the Hoy - Scott Watershed Society. It was great to show you and some of your team around the Hoy Creek Fish Hatchery and rearing pond area.

On Wednesday, March 4, minister of parliament for Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon visited Hoy Creek salmon hatchery to learn about the work of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

The tour was led by society president, Robbin Whachell and Fisheries & Oceans Canada community advisor Scott Ducharme reviewed the incubation room which now holds close to 15,000 coho salmon in stages from eyed-egg to alevins ready to soon swim-up to fry stage.

“Thank you Robbin, for giving me an amazing tour of the community hatchery! It was great to see all the Coho at different stages of incubation,” said MP McKinnon said on his social media page after the visit. “Hoy-Scott Watershed Society is a volunteer-run society committed to environmental stewardship of Hoy-Scott watershed.”

“The work done by Hoy-Scott Watershed Society helps make a sustainable future for our salmon population a reality while ensuring the protection of their natural habitat.”

Scott Ducharme of Fisheries & Oceans Canada shows MP McKinnon coho alevins in the incubation room of Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Left to right: President of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Robbin Whachell; Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, and Scott Ducharme, Community Advisor, Fisheries & Oceans Canada.