SEP

Society Takes Part in Salmon Enhancement Community Workshop

Left to right from HSWS: Anne Woosnam, Robbin Whachell, Kim Mayes and Matthew Watts.

Several members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society attended the Salmonid Enhancement Program Community Workshop held from May 19 – 22 in Port Hardy, BC.

The weekend was full of education, entertainment, and camaraderie, all shared with a community of heartfelt volunteers who are stewards for salmon in BC. The Tri-Cities and Burnaby were very well-represented.

The event opened with a traditional welcome by Kwakiutl First Nation. There was a myriad of educational sessions and field trips or tours throughout the weekend. One was a day trip to Alert Bay and the U'Mista Centre to learn about the area's First Nation history and the significance of the Potlatch. There was also a forestry tour, Joey's Museum tour, coast guard tour, beach seine tour, local hatchery tour, and a bird-watching tour.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society would like to thank the Port Hardy hosts for their planning and delivery of an excellent workshop.

The Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) “aims to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks, provide harvest opportunities, work with Indigenous and coastal communities in economic development, and improve fish habitat to sustain salmon populations.”

Rodney Lee, a long time volunteer member of HSWS was representing the Kwikwetlem First Nation where he works.

HSWS Participates in Meeting with Fisheries Minister

Zoom screen capture via MP Ron McKinnon’s Facebook page

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.”