Proceedings Report Now Available

Watershed Watch Salmon Society and the Centre for Coastal Studies at Simon Fraser University are pleased to announce that the conveners' report from the Speaking for the Salmon workshop Reconciling the conservation of wild salmon and the production of enhanced salmon under Canada's Wild Pacific Salmon Policy is now available.

Salmon enhancement has a long history in British Columbia. The use of hatcheries and other enhancement tools has also generated much controversy, especially as we learned more about real and potentially negative interactions of enhanced and wild salmon (Hatcheries and the Protection of Wild Salmon; www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science/hatcheries.htm).

Despite the positive introduction of a federal Wild Salmon Policy in 2005, it remains unclear how the artificial enhancement of salmon “fits” with Canada’s commitment to protect and conserve wild salmon and wild salmon diversity. A think tank was thus held on February 23 and 24, 2009, at the Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre campus, with the explicit purpose of prompting dialogue on how the conservation of wild salmon and the production of enhanced salmon might be reconciled under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy. Three expert presenters outlined key issues and concerns, and participants from several interests addressed the key themes of the workshop. This report is a conveners’ summary of the two days of deliberation.

Statement of Expectations on the Reform of the BC Water Act

On December 2, 2009, Watershed Watch hosted a meeting for BC NGOs to discuss reforms to BC's Water Act. As a result of this meeting, a Statement of Expectations on Reform of the BC Water Act from BC Nongovernmental Organizations was developed and signed by 29 NGOs. The statement provides details on key steps that must be taken to protect BC's water and urges the BC government to take action on the recommendations.

The following presentations were made at the meeting:

• Water Law and Stream Health in BC, Craig Orr and Tanis Gower, Watershed Watch
• BC Groundwater Law, Linda Nowlan
• Governance and Water Act Modernization in British Columbia, Oliver M. Brandes, POLIS Project
• Water Allocation in BC, Randy Christensen, Ecojustice Canada

For more information on reforms to the BC Water Act and upcoming consultation meetings see http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/.

Rivers at Risk: Public Meetings for Bute Inlet

Rivers at Risk: Saving Bute Inlet from General Electric. Find out what you can do to save Bute Inlet and hundreds of BC's rivers from poorly planned, environmentally destructive power projects and why we need to produce clean power the right way.

• Victoria, March 30, 2010, 7:00-9:00pm, Social Sciences & Math Building, Room A120, UVIC
• Vancouver, April 6, 2010, 7:00-9:00pm, Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street

For more information, see the event poster links above. These meetings are sponsored by Wilderness Committee, Sierra Club BC, Watershed Watch, BC Creek Protection Society, and Friends of Bute Inlet.

How You Can Help

You can help by making a donation to support Watershed Watch in its efforts to protect and conserve wild salmon. Information on how to donate to Watershed Watch can be found at www.watershed-watch.org/involved/donate.html.