SALMON ENHANCEMENT AND HABIAT ADVISORY BOARD
SEHAB, The Voice of the Salmon Enhancement Program Volunteer
Roundtable
Our Vision: Pacific Region communities living sustainably within the natural limitations of healthy ecosystems supporting abundant and biologically diverse Pacific salmonids.
Our Mission: SEHAB C.A.R.E.S. SEHAB is the voice of the volunteer community dedicated to:
Communicating
Advocating
Representing
Educating, and
Supporting its endeavours.
SEHAB and the community have a shared commitment of ensuring functioning ecosystems supporting viable, genetically diverse and abundant indigenous fish populations.
Our partner, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
DFO Vision: Excellence in service to Canadians to ensure the sustainable development and safe use of Canadian waters.
DFO Mission: It is our mission, as DFO employees, to deliver to Canadians the following outcomes:
- Safe and Accessible Waterways;
- Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems; and
- Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
In working toward these outcomes, the Department will be guided by the principles of sound scientific knowledge and effective management.
DFO Mandate, on behalf of the Government of Canada, DFO is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada’s scientific, ecological, social and economic interests in oceans and fresh waters.
Salmonid Enhancement Program:
The 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. SEP broke new ground when it was launched in 1977 by working closely with citizens and schools to raise awareness of salmon conservation and to carry out hands-on community salmon enhancement and stewardship projects. Three of the program's main activities are:
SEHAB Member: Jan Lemon
Area: Northcoast
Community Advisor: Rob Dams
Date: Nov. 4, 2012
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SEHAB Work Plan 2011-2012 |
Local Issue, Specific Examples |
Actions by Community or DFO |
SEHAB Opportunity |
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Wild Salmon Policy: 5 year Review Implementation Stock Assessment
Habitat Protection and Enforcement
Salmon Enhancement |
– Pine Creek habitat restoration and trail upgrades
Kitimat Rod and Gun – Sumgas Creek clean-up and fish ladder maintenance, storm drain marking
Eelgrass monitoring and restoration in Douglas Channel, Pine Creek protected area signage and trail restoration, storm drain marking, Derelict boat clean-up initiative in the Kitimat estuary and Lower Kitimat Watershed Planning Initiative both started in fall 2012) Public hearings/meetings for large development projects planned for the local area
Terrace Rod and Gun – Hurley Creek habitat projects, Rivers Day clean-up, beaver control, local culvert watch, Spring Creek riparian planting and coho brood for Eby St Hatchery
Terrace Rotary Club – Skeena River Clean-up on rivers day (6 years and counting
Stewart, Bear River Interp Centre – habitat signage, public interp centre. .
Install Kiosks with signage at Lower Skeena boat launch sites.
Eby St hatchery – continued upgrades at facility, trail upgrades with local Rotary Club
– Howe Creek restoration projects
Prince Rupert Salmonid Society – continued facility renovations (over 150 K raised to date) – this is still ongoing. Oldfield interpretive trail bridge to be installed next week (completed in summer 2012). (Hays Creek interpretive trial walkways were severely vandalized in Sept 2012 – this came as a big set-back for their volunteers that built it).
Concerns expressed by many groups – ATV problems ongoing (very problematic).
Others are asking questions about the recent changes to habitat protection provisions of the FA.
Haisla pilot chum enhancement program with Kitimat Hatchery Lakelse Watershed Society (LWS)– awareness, stewardship, habitat monitoring and Lakelse Sockeye Recovery Plan (includes Scully Creek camera enumeration and Williams Creek sockeye egg takes) The LWS recently changed their name to the Lakelse Watershed Stewardship Society, and Mitch Drewes is their new coordinator. In 2012 - 300K sockeye eggs were once again taken from Williams Creek. Volunteers are presently viewing camera data for Scully Creek. The RRU recently completed a new spawning channel on Williams Creek and several projects designed to help Scully Creek sockeye. The LWSS plan to install smart boating signage around Lakelse Lake to help reduce shoreline erosion and disturbance Oona River Resources released their 4500 fry during the summer program of Public Awareness and Education. They had a successful Rivers Day on August 4th |
Kitimat Rod and Gun – Haisla Fisheries
All Kitimat stewardship groups are actively involved ).
This project will likely be completed by local Rod and Gun Clubs, DFO and Kitsumkalum Fisheries in the future. Volunteers are trying to locate a decent rental space in town – the recent development boom has resulted in less rental space Kitsumkalum Fisheries plan to help a local Power Squadron group install these
Terrace Beatification Society |
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Pacific Aquaculture Policy and SEP: Annual License/ Permit Holder of License Review/Survey Water, Effluent/Business License Resourcing CFIA Samples |
Oona River Resources agreed to participate in a pilot project to hold their own aquaculture license for 2012-13
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Capacity and Funding Core Funding Project Funding Capacity PIP Contract or Grants CEDP Contracts |
Hartley Bay CEDP – Danny Danes retired after 32 years. Stan is now the manager. Renovations are ongoing.
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Other |
In recent months, some groups have expressed concern (and have asked questions) about recent job cuts within DFO.
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SEHAB Submissions, Comments from Groups: