SALMON ENHANCEMENT AND HABITAT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
General Meeting, May 12 to 14, 2006
Holiday Inn
North Vancouver, BC
FRIDAY May 12, 2006
Friday Forum Coho Crisis 2006
- Speakers
- Bert Ionson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC) Acting Regional Resource Management Coordinator
- Dr. Ron Tanasichuk, FOC Pacific Biological Station
- Reid Schrul, FOC Capilano Salmon Hatchery
- Jack Minard, Executive Director Tsolum River Watershed Society
- Presentations, if available, are posted to website
SATURDAY May 13 2006 9:00 AM
I ATTENDING
George Farrell, Don Lowen, Dianne Ramage, Ian Maxwell, Ev Person, Jack Minard, Eric Carlisle, Brian Smith, ZoAnn Morten, Doug McFee
Guests: James Boland, Regional Director- Strategic Initiatives, Sandie Hollick-Kenyon, Community Advisor, Lisa De Goes, Regional Coordinator- Pacific Stewardship Strategy, all of Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Regrets: Lynne Broekhuizen, Janice Jarvis, Jennifer Atchison, Dave Smith, Neil Brookes, Shaun Hollingsworth, Alan Kenney, Jeff Jung
II REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS and ROUNDTABLES
Chair’s Report George Farrell
All guests and new member, Ian Maxwell, were introduced. George then reviewed activities since the last meeting, where things now stand, and the new issues that are still of great importance. He also reviewed the issues that will be of concern within the near and not too distant future.
Correspondence both in and out was reviewed.
Treasurer’s Report ZoAnn Morten
New items of business – Forums, meeting with RDG following our full board meetings and consultations (EPMP)
Telephone – switched to conference line on Nov 9, 2005 so some of the first column is while we still had the business line. I’ll be speaking more to this during the communications update.
While we had budgeted for committees, you can see that we ran out of funds prior to use. We will need to watch carefully the areas that are not tracking to budget as they eat the funds from our committee budgets that we have set as a priority. Workshops / Training, although additional accomodation charges for EPMP could have gone to this column. While the information session was planned to coincide with our SEHAB meeting, there were costs incurred. (but well worth it)
Last year the finance committee got together to go over the SOW prior to signing our contract with department. This didn’t happen this term but we will need to carefully review our budget and tighten a notch or two. * I can’t think of from where though. This was a very productive year with a limited budget.
We continue to struggle with having the information flow to finance chair in a timely manner. The board appreciates the spread sheets and ability to track our budget.
Presentations
James Boland, FOC Regional Director- Strategic Initiatives
Rather than make a presentation, James wished to have a dialogue with SEHAB members to tie in with those of his activities at the Department that focus on the principles of stewardship and citizen involvement, which has become a much higher priority in recent years. He noted that Science and C&P Branches have yet to respond as quickly as other departments to the concept of involving the public in their day to day activities. In that regard, James was able to meet with the CAs at their annual meeting in April, and he came away with some definite opinions on how things should be versus how they are. He then asked for input from members to get some sense of where things are in their work on behalf of the resource.
Sandie Hollick-Kenyon F&O Community Advisor
Sandie highlighted activities in her area which is relatively small geographically but has the highest population. She described her work with local First Nations which are steadily improving after some challenges in the early 1990s. A small sea-pen project is underway in Burrard Inlet and that is working out well. Sports fishermen have started a larger sea pen project in West Vancouver. Westridge Terminals house a sea pen and offer a lot of assistance, and they also provide a great deal of support for community activities.
As to daylighting projects, fish are returning to Spanish Creek, off Spanish Banks in Vancouver, a project that has become very successful with large fish returning. Salmonids in the Classroom is very popular with 120 tanks in the area. Tanks have switched to Chum so there will be little impact when fish are released. School District #44 bought chillers for all classrooms which has taken a real burden off coordinators to keep fish alive.
Spartina, an invasive grass species in foreshore areas, is being monitored and removed. If it is not removed, it can overtake the habitat, and in fact there is legislation in the US to deal with it. (see http://www.wapms.org/plants/spartina.html)
Streamkeepers has a good relationship with all municipal governments on the North Shore. Volunteer recognition event will take place again, this year in June, and will involve people from the five CA areas in the Lower Mainland. Recruiting new volunteers continues to be a challenge. Jack Minard had some suggestions: hold training sessions, plug volunteers into the niche areas in which they have an interest, watch out for groups that develop a “glee club” atmosphere, and mentoring, that is, assigning more experienced volunteers to the new members.
ZoAnn Morten Pacific Streamkeepers Federation Spawner Surveys
PSkF and DFO Stock Assessment have collaborated to produce 2 videos on adult salmon surveys. One describes the different techniques that can be used to count salmon and the rational for counting. The other is a “how to” video on spawner survey technique as it will be in the revision of Module 12 of the Streamkeepers Handbook and Modules. Module 12 will align with the Stream Inspection Log so as to dovetail into stock assessment data compilation. ZoAnn was complimented on the two projects.
Lisa De Goes, F&O Regional Coordinator- Pacific Stewardship Strategy
Regarding the CEDP Review, Lisa has been tasked half-time with managing the implementation of the recommendations from the program review. The good news is that there are no cuts to the program. A draft report was circulated that address program level challenges. DFO will be holding meetings at various locations throughout the Province for a final consultation with CEDP contractors on the draft report. DFO would like to know if and how SEHAB would like to participate in moving forward with the review. Because we have members in the areas where the meetings are taking place, it was suggested that those individuals be invited to assist in whatever ways are appropriate.
The OHEB staff meeting has been postponed, and at this point, a November date is proposed. SEHAB wishes to be a part of this process to discuss two things: first, how the Area model has impacted on the work of volunteers and second, to inform staff as to how SEHAB works.
The DFO Stewardship Conference will take place in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland from July 4th to 6th, 2006. The Department has agreed to cover half the cost of a SEHAB member attending this conference. Dianne noted that the Maple Creek Streamkeepers were allocated money by PSF to pay for approximately half the cost of four people attending this event. So it might be possible to tie in to that pool of money.
DFO has developed a Pacific Region Stewardship Strategy (PSS) to integrate and guide the Department's vision for stewardship activities. A copy of the strategy was provided. James Boland is the champion for the PSS. No money has been allocated.
As to SEHAB's relationship with Greg Savard, he really wishes to make the relationship as productive as possible and had some suggestions to make, especially as to how the Roundtable reports are prepared and submitted. With regard to stock assessment issues, members will meet with Dr. Richards on Monday. Greg is encouraged by formalized communications and is working forward to collaboration on the salient issues. Good news is that the SEP budget has been stabilized, with no cuts.
Area Roundtables:
Upper Skeena Roundtable Report
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
North Fraser Valley area
CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISLAND
SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
Steelhead Society
Themes from SEHAB Roundtable
Standing Committees
Governance (Don, Dianne, Jeff, George, ZoAnn) Don’s workshop tomorrow will focus on the NavAids documents and how they have shaped the work of SEHAB over the past two years.
(ZoAnn, Jack, Brian, Dianne, Joanne Day) Written reportFinance (Janice, ZoAnn, Jeff, Dave) Written report (action items to be under action items)
Membership (Jack, Lynn, Jennifer, Eric, Janice) There are two nominations for alternates. Committee will deal with the nominations for alternates and vote will take place electronically. Discussion took place on alternates for other members, and because of their proximity to one another, it was felt that ZoAnn could be Brian’s alternate, Dianne could be the alternate for ZoAnn and Jennifer, and Dave Smith could also fill in as necessary.
Consultation Committees (ad hoc)
SUNDAY February 19 2006
BUSINESS MEETING
I BUSINESS MEETING
How are we doing - Workshop on NavAids Don Lowen
Don will collate all responses and forward to everyone through the list-serve. Members who were not part of the process will have the opportunity for input.
II New Business
F&O OHEB Acting Chief Greg Savard’s response to our Feb 2006 community issues
Roundtable comments should be distilled into the four categories included in the letter, (Habitat and Enforcement, Stocks, Policy and Stewardship) and provided to them in a pre-determined format, e.g. outline “What we want, how can it happen, and stay specific.” For efficiency, we should find out who is responsible in the Department and copy them on the issues when raised. Determine also the relevant personnel within Provincial Government.
Relying on Jack and Dianne to provide edits on EPMP. We do not agree with the top down process that has been used in this case, preferring a policy development process with involvement from the community (demonstrated during the Wild Salmon Policy consultation process). We understand that the Department also has concerns. However, we want to know if there is anything that can be done about it at this point, and will our concerns be heard?
Bonnie Antcliffe should be asked to direct us to the people within the stewardship community who have expressed positive sentiments on EPMP, and provide us with their comments. We also want to know when it will be implemented. Letter sent July 13, 2006.
Enforcement Issues - This could read as if enforcement officers are from community, we need to clarify that this is a DFO position with authority. George can you clarify please (Enforcement needs as will be necessary in the implementation of EPMP?)
Nomination of Executive – In October, a new Executive Committee will be elected. Fourteen days before the next meeting, nominations should be received, and self-nominations are encouraged
Matching DFO’s Funds (50% of one persons travel has been offered) for Cornerbrook Valuing Natureconference. ZoAnn would like to represent SEHAB at this conference for half of the monies (eg. One quarter of expenses covered). Jack Minard will investigate the possibility of another person going and expressed an interest in going himself, but can’t commit to the time away right now.
Review identified action items for next meeting
II PLANNING
Minutes from this meeting to be ratified by June 20, 2006. (Respond to Lorraine personally, NOT through the List-Serve)
Date of next meeting: October 13-15th, 2006, in North Vancouver
Invitation to build agenda September 8th
Draft agenda due September 30th