The June 3rd Times-Colonist includes a letter from a former fish-health technician critical of the recent cuts in funding by the DFO to the Stream to Sea Education Program. This is one response to the recent statement by the federal government regarding their Oceans Protection Plan.

Dateline of May 26, 2017:

It was revealed Friday that the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Resource Restoration Unit is being eliminated, along with two other salmon enhancement programs, including the education and technical Support contracts and the production of steelhead and cutthroat trout at salmon enhancement program hatcheries.

The Resource Restoration Unit included biologists who went out into the field to investigate habitat issues and provided advice and guidance to enhance and restore habitats, according to local conservationists.

The unit will be phased out over three years, according to the government representative.

See more at The Squamish Chief website.

Read the CBC’s writeup on the upcoming chinook smolt release, facilitated by the South Vancouver Island Angler’s Coalition. An excerpt:

By the end of May, the first batch of around 220,000 young Chinook salmon will be released into the ocean to help feed B.C.’s endangered orcas.

The project, long in the works, is privately funded and was approved by the federal government last year. It involved catching wild fish and facilitating their reproduction in a hatchery — and now the smolts are set to be released off the docks of the Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Christopher Bos, president of the South Vancouver Island Angler’s Coalition.

The ACS website is undergoing a needed refresh. No big layout changes are planned, just some updating to the information contained. Also hoping to get the last several ACS meeting minutes posted here, and then the latest meeting minutes too once they’re approved.