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Somass River Estuary Management Plan
The Somass River is the second largest on Vancouver Island. It’s watershed encompasses the Ash, Stamp, and Sproat river systems, Great Central and Sproat Lakes, and drainage from the western side of the Beaufort mountain range.
The massive amount of water and nutrients from these systems enter the ocean at the Somass River Estuary. Salmon return to these systems through the Estuary; fish, birds and other wildlife use the Estuary as a vital resting and feeding area.
The Estuary has been heavily
impacted by human activities over the past century. Under the chairmanship
of the AMB, governments and users together raised funds and drafted the
Somass River Estuary Plan, which outlines natural values and features
in the area, human activities, key issues, and strategies to address the
identified issues. This Plan also sets out a monitoring program to assess
the long-term health and integrity of the Estuary.
Gooseneck barnacle
experimental fishery
Gooseneck barnacles are a traditional Nuu-chah-nulth food, and are also a
delicacy particularly favoured in European markets. They only grow in several
areas of the world, and the West Coast of Vancouver Island is one of those
areas.
Unfortunately, a previous fishery for this species was closed in 1999 due to concerns about poor catch reporting and impacts to the rocky intertidal habitat where gooseneck barnacles grow.
The AMB worked with harvesters, First Nations, DFO, the Province and other parties to design a more sustainable approach to harvesting, and have helped re-open this fishery on an experimental basis in 2004. The approach integrates the knowledge and experience of harvesters, First Nations, local biologists, and DFO scientists and managers. It includes innovative assessment, product tracking, and decision-making features that allow the experimental fishery to adapt and improve over time.
The AMB
has developed a website to help promote and market this experimental fishery.
The Percebes (goosebarnacle) site is hosted by the AMB and is nested within
this site. To visit this website and learn
more about the Gooseneck barnacle fishery, click
here
Shellfish/Water
Quality
Issues of water quality affect all resource stakeholders, including commercial fisheries, shellfish aquaculture operators, recreation and tourism operators and users, and First Nations food, social and ceremonial users. With expanding shellfish aquaculture development in remote areas, and increasing pressure to maintain high international market standards, the issue of water quality has become a priority on the Westcoast.
Concerned about potential impacts on our coastal economies due to shellfish harvesting closures and market restrictions, the Aquatic Management Board is spearheading an initiative to help chart a course to address water quality, focusing on the Westcoast Vancouver Island area.
The Aquatic Management
Board has undertaken community research and the drafting of a Water Quality
report in the fall of 2004. This report draws on the combined expertise
of wild shellfish harvesters, shellfish aquaculture farmers, biologists,
community leaders, and government representatives to identify and present
options to address issues surrounding water quality.
.......................................................................................Board Activities, page: 1 l 2 l 3
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