by
Pat Dennison
NSWS
Feb. 8, 2006
Nootka Sound Watershed Society's (NSWS)
vision is to actively steward, protect, restore, enhance and manage aquatic
resources and their watersheds to sustain prosperous fisheries and productive
aquatic resources and ecosystem processes for the long-term benefit of
communities and current and future generations of the people of Nootka
Sound.
2005 was a very busy
year for NSWS:
The terms of reference were finalized.
Met with Bruce Adkins (Area Chief, Oceans, Habitat & Enhancement, South Coast Area for DFO) creating a partnership for the enhancement on egg production at Conuma Hatchery. Discussed DFO's commitment to production targets, capacity and water issues at Conuma Hatchery. DFO agreed to re-instate the Coho program with NSWS agreeing to purchase a sea pen at the cost of approx. $9,000. Through this process DFO has assured the Society that funding would continue at Conuma Hatchery.
A website was set up for general information on the society and the agenda and minutes from our monthly meetings.
Set up membership form and held a membership drive throughout the year.
Held a NSWS logo contest in the District. The logo winner won $100 and was from the GR Secondary School.
Area D gillnetters donated $500 for office administration costs.
Tim Davies, Lease & Environmental Manager, Grieg's Seafood Ltd. confirmed funding of $6,000 for 2005.
Received approx. $9,000 worth of fish food from Greig's Seafood Ltd. then donated the food for feeding our fry at Conuma Hatchery.
Supported funding to the Gold River Streamkeepers for their stewardship program.
Purchased equipment for broodstock taking on the Gold River, Burman and Muchalat rivers.
DFO, Conuma staff, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation and volunteers took approx. 300,000 Chinook broodstock from the Burman river to be raised at Conuma Hatchery. Roger Dunlop, Jamie James, DFO staff along with volunteers did tagging & DNA samples on the fish cought in the seine nets at Burman river. We also collected approx. 35,000 Chinook eggs from the Muchalat/Gold rivers.
Donations raised for the sea pen were from:
Fishing derby held at Cougar Creek raising $1,400, Steve Shelly from the Lodge in Tahsis held a fund raising dinner with proceeds of $2,990 being raised, The Lodge in Gold River donated $2,500 and Regional District Area G donated $150.00.
Assisted Conuma Hatchery staff with the transporting of fry from the Conuma Hatchery to Gold River harbor sea pen. Had volunteers feed the fry at the Burman site.
Had membership stickers made up for the upcoming membership drive for 2006.
The NSWS hopes to meet with DFO in the near future for the upcoming budget and enhancement targets for the 2006 season at Conuma Hatchery.
The 2006 membership drive is already underway.
Work with DFO and support the First Nation on the stray (Robertson Creek) assessments on the Gold River and their watersheds and to raise monies for a receiver (approx. $12,000) for the radio tagging to be done on the Burman river this fall.
Support the First Nation with the planting of weirs on our watersheds.
Help the Gold River Streamkeepers with support funding for their stewardship program.
A donation to the Gold River Rod & Gun Club for a new roof on the clubhouse.
Hold a dinner/dance and auction to help raise funds for fish food and a sea pen for the Tahsis Hatchery.
NSWS is always looking
for volunteers and new members. If you can find the time to help us in
our endeavors we would like to welcome you, and for those that are too
busy with other commitments we understand, but we would appreciate your
financial support through our membership or a donation. We hold our meeting
on the last Wednesday of every month except July, August and December.
The meetings are held at 7pm and alternate between WFP's boardroom and
Mowachaht/Muchalaht band office meeting room.
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