Committees
WSP Working Group-November 2012
SEHAB – Wild Salmon Policy Working Group Report for Nov. 2012 Meeting
Paul Cipywnyk - Chair
I have brought up the WSP in my own streamkeeping group, but in our urban setting on a very small creek, there is limited interest. I brought it up at a Burnaby streamkeepers round table (a meeting of streamkeeper groups in Burnaby that happens about twice a year) and had no feedback.
I also brought up the WSP at the last Ugly Bug Ball on June 23 (a DFO CA-sponsored event for lower mainland streamkeeper groups) in an open discussion session, but aside from comments on how the WSP appears to be twisting in the wind with little-to-no funding and staffing, there wasn't any significant input. Nobody present -- CAs, streamkeepers, and some other DFO staff -- seemed to hold much hope for WSP-related progress.
I think we're still stuck with the unfortunate situation that under the present political administration, no DFO funding and staffing = no WSP progress.
And I'm not sure if SEHAB can do much about that, aside from sharing the stewardship community's frustration on this issue with DFO Western Regional HQ, as we have already done several times.
We've talked about publicizing the WSP, and perhaps promoting it through a Friday Night Forum at some time. But I think in the end it all comes down to politics and funding, or lack thereof.
Cohen Commission Impacts
And now, the Cohen Commission recommendations appear to be pointing the way to solving these issues, assuming they are followed up on. The SEHAB WSP working group supports these recommendations, and will monitor their progress.
Cohen Recommendations in Regard to WSP
New position of associate regional director general
4) The Department of Fisheries and Oceans should immediately create a new position in the Pacific Region at the associate regional director general level with responsibility for developing and implementing the Wild Salmon Policy implementation plan recommended under Recommendation 5; and supervising the expenditure of funds provided under Recommendation 6 for implementation of the policy.
Wild Salmon Policy implementation plan
5) The new associate regional director general should, by March 31, 2013, publish a detailed plan for implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy, stipulating
what tasks are required;
how they will be performed and by whom;
when they will be completed;
and how much implementation will cost, as set out in a detailed itemization of costs.
Wild Salmon Policy funding
6) The Government of Canada should establish dedicated Wild Salmon Policy funding sufficient to carry out the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ implementation plan and to cover ongoing operational costs.
Annual report on progress in Wild Salmon
Policy implementation
7) The new associate regional director general responsible for implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy should, by March 31, 2014, and each anniversary thereafter during implementation, report in writing on progress in implementation of the policy, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should publish
that report on its website. Each annual report should invite responses from First Nations and stakeholders, and all responses should be promptly published on the DFO website
Wild Salmon Policy: strategies 2 and 3
8) By January 31, 2013, the new associate regional director general should decide whether the Habitat Management Program (Ecosystem Management Branch)* or the Science Branch should take the lead role in
implementing strategies 2 and 3 and what support should be provided by the other branch. The new associate regional director general should also identify who is responsible for, and set deadlines respecting, the
following activities:
preparing habitat status reports;
monitoring and assessing habitat using the habitat indicators and benchmarks developed
by Stalberg et al.;† and
finalizing habitat indicators and benchmarks where possible.
The new associate regional director general should coordinate with the Habitat Management Program to ensure consistency in implementing both this Recommendation and Recommendation 41.
Wild Salmon Policy: Strategy 4
9) In order to begin integrated strategic planning under Strategy 4 in relation to Fraser River sockeye without further delay, these key deliverables should be completed according to the following schedule:
By March 31, 2013, identification of red zone Conservation Units under Strategy 1,
based on the Grant Draft Paper 2011.‡
By September 30, 2013, preparation of overview reports for the Fraser River watershed
and marine areas relevant to Fraser River sockeye salmon, based on the best available information at that time. Knowledge gaps of concern to the drafters should be identified in the overview reports and a plan developed
to address those knowledge gaps.
By December 31, 2013, development of habitat indicators and benchmarks for assessment for the Strait of Georgia, Juan de Fuca Strait, Johnstone Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound.
10) As part of the implementation of Strategy 4 in relation to Fraser River sockeye, these key deliverables should be completed according to the following schedule:
By March 31, 2013, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should complete a socioeconomic framework for decision making in the integrated strategic planning process; it should also integrate meaningful socioeconomic input into fisheries management decision making, beginning with planning for the 2014 fishing season.
By January 31, 2014, integrated strategic planning processes should begin for Fraser River sockeye salmon using the best currently available information and following the procedure outlined in Appendix 2 (A structured five-step planning procedure) of the Wild Salmon Policy.
By March 31, 2013, response teams should be formed for all Conservation Units in the red zone and for those that could significantly limit fishing and other activities.
By December 31, 2014, response teams should complete plans for the protection and restoration of priority Conservation Units, and in developing such plans, they should give full consideration to approaches beyond curtailing fisheries.
Membership Committee-Nov. 2012
Membership Report
November 2, 2012
Tenure Renewal
NAVAIDS guidelines requires the following members’ tenures to be renewed, via either a Community Advisor or the province-wide organization that the member represents:
A Due January 2013, Brian Smith for Vancouver (Sandie Hollick-Kenyon)
B Due May 2013, Jack Minard/Faye Smith for Central Vancouver Island (Dave Davies)
C Due May 2013, ZoAnn Morten/Dianne Ramage for Pacific Streamkeepers Federation (Province-wide organization)
D Due May 2013, Eric Carlisle/Barry Thornton for BC Steelhead Society (Province-wide organization)
Nomination of New Members
- South Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands - Community Advisor Erica Blake has nominated Ian Bruce to represent SVI/Gulf Islands volunteers, beginning with the winter 2013 meeting. I have circulated Ian’s resume and letter of interest to the membership.
- West Vancouver/Howe Sound – Elizabeth Hardy is attending this meeting as an observer interested in joining the Board.
- Sunshine Coast/Powell River - Dianne Sanford has been ratified as the representative (Consensus email vote). All voting members received appropriate documents for review. Incoming CA Grant McBain has submitted written support of retired CA Cindy Harlow’s June/12 appointment.
Executive Election November Meeting
Mandate for the current executive expires at this (November) meeting. With your permission, as the outgoing Past Chair, I will accept nominations or self-nominations for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, up until the election begins.
Please ensure that your nominee has agreed to stand for election. FYI, the top four candidates re number of votes confer with the Board on who will assume each position, within two weeks of the election. (Top five if encumbent Chair stands for re-election)
Updates
- As of November/12 meeting, I resign as Membership Chair.
- Greig Houlden and Jan Lemon remain as Committee members.
SEHAB 2012 Committees
Nov. 5 2011 Membership Committee
Membership Report
November 5, 2011
Tenure Renewal
NAVAIDS stipulates that the Membership Chair stagger tenures so that no more than 25% of memberships expire in a given year. Because of the number of expired memberships, SEHAB requested that half the affected members complete the renewal process for the May 2010 meeting, and the other half for the winter 2011 meeting. This task is complete for existing representation.
NAVAIDS guidelines will require the following members to request a renewal of tenure from either a Community Advisor or the province-wide organization which member represents, prior to these meetings:
A Jim Shinkewski/Terry Tebb, Winter 2012
B Lee Hesketh/Joanne Nicklas, Winter 2012
Nomination of New Members
Rob Bell-Irving (West Vancouver/Howe Sound) has nominated John Barker as his representative, and Mike von Zuben as alternate. The Board has received supporting documents and we should proceed at this meeting with a decision whether or not to ratify this appointment.
Normally, once the nominee has been ratified, the new member and CA/provincial organization decide on an alternate.
Updates
- Brian Smith and Sandie HK should choose an alternate for this area.
- Six of seventeen CA areas remain without representation.
- Currently, only 1.5 CA’s are acting in their positions.
Nov. 2011 Working Groups
SEHAB Working Groups 2011 2012
Aquaculture
ZoAnn, Don, Brian, DFO
Vision
Goals
Objectives
Budget
WSP
Leandre, George, Paul, Lee, Eric, Dianne, Alice
Canada’s Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon: Relevant Quotes:
"The goal of the Wild Salmon Policy is to restore and maintain healthy and diverse salmon populations and their habitats for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Canada in perpetuity."
"This policy goal will be advanced by safeguarding the genetic diversity of wild salmon populations, maintaining habitat and ecosystem integrity, and managing fisheries for sustainable benefits."
"Conservation of wild salmon and their habitat is the highest priority for resource management decision-making."
"Resource management processes and decisions will honour Canada’s obligations to First Nations."
"Implementation of this policy will involve an open and inclusive process aimed at making decisions about salmon stewardship that consider social, economic, and biological consequences. People throughout British Columbia and the Yukon will contribute to decisions that reflect society’s values for wild salmon."
The prominence of words and concepts such as "in perpetuity", "safeguarding genetic diversity", "conservation of wild salmon and their habitat is the highest priority...", "open and inclusive process", "people throughout BC and Yukon will contribute to decisions..." resonate with SEHAB and our membership.
Our Group’s draft:
Vision That the WSP is used as a lens to make decisions by all levels of government and the public
Goals To inform the volunteer community and public of the value and purpose of WSP
Objectives facilitate the SEP community participation in the 5 year review of the implementation of the WSP
Promote the use of data sharing between and amount stewards, government and pubic
Reinvigorate the use and promotion of the PSkF modules and methodologies
Work with DFO to identify what the volunteer public can assist with the implementation of the WSP
Activities WSP Review
Data entry tool
DFO use agreement
Pilot KT between groups
PSkF app
Tool to include stock assessment info
Tool to be able to aid in assessment of cumulative effects including fish kills, habitat destruction, changes in hydrograph, and successes such as fish returns, rain gardens, innovations
Budget: conference call line only
Core Funding/Capacity Working Group
Whereas the SEHAB Roundtable analysis as of November 6, 2011 identified Fundraising, a lack of core funding for groups and capacity issues in dealing with some funding opportunities as one of three major challenges in the Enhancement and Stewardship community a Core Funding/Capacity Working Group has been formed.
Chaired by Jack Minard the Working Group includes: Jim Shinkewski, Greig Houlden, John Barker and Wayne Salewski. The Group met during the work planning session of the SEHAB meeting November 05, 2011 and have formulated an introductory work plan for discussion and input.
Vision
- Obtain sustainable core funding for SEHAB constituency organization’s activities to ensure continuity of wild salmon stocks
Goal
- 1.Provide enhancement and stewardship organizations working on salmonid issues within the province with information relating to fund-raising opportunities that can help them address funding shortages in the short-term.
- 2.To build upon this information sharing to identify gaps in capacity and research methods to address these capacity gaps
- 3.To explore methods of providing core funding to working groups with established history (track records)
Objectives
- Compile list of funding opportunities and organizations that are known now and post on website
- Provide information via website and email about fund-raising workshops and on line versions
- Provide a feedback loop for organizations that engage in funding proposals (SEHAB website) to share learning and outcomes
- Document Models of patron funding that have worked in other areas of BC and provide information via email and on line
- Develop a brochure for distribution to Guides, Lodges “How you can help restore fish stocks – assist local stewards and enhancement not for profit groups”
- Develop with groups involved a “how to” create Voluntary “Opt Out” 1% consumer tax on items that would be given to support SEP activities locally
- Provide information on communities and regions that have instituted an Ecological tax on land (small rate over large region e.g. Regional Districts)
- Write and provide template letters linking watershed improvement/protection to other mandates (e.g. Carbon Neutrality, Riparian protection and restoration as wildlife corridors)
- Determine capacity gaps over time and share with CA’s. Encourage CA’s to assist, research and provide information on Capacity Building with the Core Funding/Capacity Working Group and SEHAB
- Provide information on trading carbon credits as a source of funding
- Provide information on leveraging funding (taking small funding amounts and making additional applications)
- Information on Partnering and partnership building
- Explore options for applying fines for violations of Fisheries or other Acts
Budget – Minimum 4 Teleconferences over 12 months = Appox. $400.00
WORKPLAN
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11-Nov |
Build workplan with Committee members |
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11-Dec |
Begin compilation of existing funding with criteria |
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12-Jan |
Match funding ops with group activities - Develop feedback protocol |
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12-Feb |
Document Patron Donor programs - develop recreational fishery "How you can help" brochure |
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12-Mar |
Voluntary "Opt Out" program discussion with potential partners - Look at "Eco" tax ideas and document implementations |
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12-Apr |
Write and distribute (SEHAB Website) a series of template letters linking watershed protection and other mandates |
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12-May |
Compile learning to date on capacity and discuss with CA's and RHQ |
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12-Jun |
Compile and provide information on: Carbon and "Blue" carbon credits Compile information on leveraging |
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12-Jul |
Online workshop on partnership building |
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12-Aug |
Explore options for applying court-ordered fines |
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12-Sep |
Monitor progress and recommend next steps |
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12-Oct |
next steps or committee folds or inegrated into another |
Issues that were not assigned a committee
Liability, Collaboration/Partnerships with other levels of government, recreational fishing accountability, FN fishing monitoring, harvest management, enforcement, education, capacity within DFo and or community, cooperation between government levels, conservation of stocks.