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by Tom Pater
Correspondent
Dec.20, 2006

A gala dinner in Port Alberni Nov. 22 celebrated volunteers involved with salmon stewardship, enhancement, and habitat restoration on Vancouver Island's west coast.

On behalf of the WCVI Aquatic Management Board, Executive Director Andrew Day presented awards to honour the inspiring efforts of so many West Coasters to protect and foster wild salmon.

The celebratory dinner was held in conjunction with the two-day WCVI Wild Salmon Summit, facilitated by the AMB and co-hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Summit brought together individuals from diverse organizations and sectors to discuss the present state and desired future condition of wild salmon and wild salmon fisheries.

Those honoured for their dedication in Nootka and Kyuquot Sounds were:

The Kyuquot Fisheries Crew. Special recognition was given to Leonard John, who for many years was instrumental in a broad range of restoration and enhancement work in the Kyoquot Sound area. Special thanks went to Branco Samoukavic, Rupert Wong, Violet Komori and Warren Wartig for their support of the Crew's work.

Bev VanMierlo in Zeballos. The chinook hatchery is led by this inspiring volunteer. Her father built the hatchery and she has carried on the tradition by fostering wide-scale support from the Zeballos community for local enhancement efforts.

Randy Musfelt and Don Beamin from Tahsis. The hatchery is led by a new group of volunteers who inspire the whole town to support rebuilding efforts in the Tahsis and Leiner Rivers. Both Don and Randy are the active volunteer organizers now, but Les Dowding was the leader of the group for over 20 years, and was given special recognition for his work.

Pat and Dick Dennison from Gold River are the heart and soul of the Nootka Sound Watershed Society (NSWS) and were recognized for their efforts. They have been sucessful in their efforts at transitioning Gold River enhancement efforts into a community stewardship organization.

Also in Gold River, Paul Smith and Jim Mitchell from the Gold River Streamkeepers were honoured for their long-term work. Both were instrumental in getting stewardship going in Gold RIver and were involved in the formation of both the Streamkeepers and the NSWS. Jim also created a comprehensive stewardship education package which he delivered annually to high school classes in Gold River.

Dave Davies, DFO's Community Advisor for Kyuquot-Nootka, was recognized with special thanks for his support of all the people and groups cited above. Dave is known for going the extra mile for stewardship, enhancement, and restoration efforts in the region, above and beyond the call of duty.

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