SEHAB Roundtable Template––February 2016
SEHAB Member: Ian Bruce
Area: South Vancouver Island
Community Advisor: Chantal Nessman
Date: Nov. 4 -2016
Key Issues:
What top three points can you distill from community input to take to DFO RHQ?
- Provincial Water Act, climate change, drought and DFO – not enough attention by the Province on small streams and base flows – DFO has a potential role to play by employing hydrologists to study watersheds, develop tools to mitigate drought and train stewards about hydrology. No water = No fish!
- Enforcement Issues - staffing issues throughout department…where is C & P; fisheries openings on weekends but no overtime therefore no oversight.
- Douglas Treaty and FN harvesting issues – stocks being completely and blatantly taken to the last fish in plain sight but DFO policy of not wanting to potentially generate a Douglas Treaty challenge does nothing. DFO needs to negotiate Douglas Treaty rights or let courts decide but status quo untenable for stewards affected.
Stories:
A few examples of successes, failures, challenges.
- New C.A. for South Island Chantal Nessman – she is working hard and should do well…strong effort to date and dedicated.
- New SCACIP/RRU Section Head Dale Desrochers is a positive choice – both are career DFO with a desire and ability to work in our Area therefore stability gratefully expected.
- Funding for CIP hatcheries needs to be increased.
Issues Specific to SEHAB’s Work Plan:
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SEHAB Work Plan |
Local Issue, Specific Examples |
Actions by Community or DFO |
SEHAB Opportunity |
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Wild Salmon Policy (Stock Assessment, Habitat) |
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Aquaculture |
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Capacity & Core Funding |
At least 4 new salmon stewardship groups want to form or are being touted. CA and Peninsula Streams have capacity issues in terms of |
Attempts to find core funding by Peninsula Streams to address need for stewardship coordination – have applied for PSF funding and to others to support Streamkeepers training and Streamkeepers Trainer training |
Encourage SEP to re-visit HCSP program and evaluate to address gaps in stewardship support across BC |
Submissions, Comments from Groups: