Possible change to SEHAB contract/role as described by Adam and Tina at last meeting.  Please describe how you see SEHAB now and where would you like to it go in the future.

See SEHAB, as the voice of the volunteer, s as a board that is able to bring the big picture province wide into focus and flesh out the issues that are key in most areas.  The board needs to continue to follow our vision statement and mandate, it needs more funding to be able to ensure all the areas are fully represented. and it needs to continue to work unfettered by political or bureaucratic agendas a shared commitment of ensuring functioning ecosystems supporting viable,

Letter to Minister LeBlanc re: Fisheries Act Review.  Please provide specific examples of failure of the new Act or things you would like to see changed. 

The Fisheries Act is a complex document and one that I need to study in depth to be able to comment.

CA Staffing. Please provide input as to relative importance of CAs to community groups in your area, their priority in terms of SEP funding constraints, and whether your area h ensuring functioning ecosystems supporting viable, genetically diverse and abundant indigenous fish

Our CA plays a huge role on the North Coast area  He  keeps  us informed, supplied with expertise and help if we require it.  He has been able to keep us abreast of changes in the funding and its constraints.  Our CA is familiar with all the areas and constantly advocates genetically diverse and abundant indigenous fish populations while helping to do long term planning.  The Skeena River Watershed is one of the things our CA spends a great deal of time ensuring that groups understand the complexities and solutions to  ensure that it remains a functioning ecosystem

Issue

Where should SEHAB direct this concern?

Actions already taken by Community or DFO?

Possible solutions?

SEHAB opportunity and Work Plan fit?

Issue 1:

Funding for SEP and habitat  groups are shrinking and requirements are more stringent

To the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans

Government either needs to pick up the pieces and do the work at the watershed level or else ensure that groups have the necessary core funding to do the work

Continue to push for better communication between community and the Government

Advocate for more resources for the groups that are now doing the work

Issue 2:

Wid Salmon Policy and Cohen Commission recommendations do not seem to be happening

When and how will this happen and will it ever be implemented or is it just being swept away like so many other commission reports

Continue to communicate with personal in DFO who are dedicated to  WSP

Issue 3:

Development of big industrial projects can have serious impact on North Coast salmon runs and the entire environment

Conservation and environmental organizations are continuing the pressure to ensure the future of salmon and their ecosystems

Continue as a board to look at the big picture and use the collective wisdom to find some solutions to offer to provincial and federal ministrieswho are caretakers of the land,  resources, air, fish and oceans