SEHAB Round Table Presentation

Date: May 29/10

Name: Brian Smith

CA/Area: Sandie Hollick-Kenyon/Port Moody to West Vancouver

The issue I am bringing forward affects more than just my area it actually affects the entire region 2 area. For most of 2009 and the first five months of 2010 the region has been without a provincial steelhead biologist. Mr. Greg Wilson (steelhead biologist for MOE for region 2) has been working for BCIT during his absence from the provincial steelhead biologist position. My understanding is that Mr. Wilson will return to the biologist position in a limited capacity by the end of May 2010. When Mr. Wilson returns he will only be permitted to spend less than 40% of his time on steelhead issues (100% of his time in the past was spent on steelhead issues). How can anyone who is only permitted to spend less than 40% of their time on steelhead issues be expected to oversee and be actively involved with all the steelhead projects in the region. This is very concerning and the following is only a small sample of the steelhead projects in the region that the biologist would be expected to be involved with:

· Possible Brohm Creek development (Brohm is a productive steelhead stream).

· Steelhead research projects on the Squamish system (adults and juvenile).

· Steelhead research projects on the Seymour River (adults and juveniles).

· Greater Georgian Basin Steelhead recovery Program. This program was developed to address the declining steelhead population in the region and now there is now biologist to oversee the program.

· Fertilization of streams. Who’s organizing/monitoring?

· Steelhead enhancement from hatcheries.

· There are many streams in region two that the extirpation of steelhead is possible. These streams need the attention of the regional biologist.

I do not believe that any biologist only permitted to spend less than 40% of their time on steelhead management can possibly address the above listed issues. Please remember that the list above is only a small sample of the steelhead management issues in region 2. A full time steelhead biologist is required in region 2. Whatever happened to Gordon Campbell`s promise of “the best managed fishery in North America, bar none”?