In 1976, the governments of Canada and British Columbia established the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) on Canada's Pacific Coast. The Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board was established as Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC) identified the need for a public consultation group to assist them in developing policy for this new program. For the first twenty years, SEHAB members came from a cross-section of the economy. In 1998, changes were made to the make-up of SEHAB, as it was recognized that the volunteer sector was not being adequately represented. Today, members represent all geographical areas of the Province involved in salmon production. SEHAB's role is to provide advice and counsel to the Federal and Provincial Government from the perspective of the community and in particular, the volunteer sector.