Salmon Steward is the official publication of the Pacific Salmon Foundation in British Columbia, Canada
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/300930
It is said "every dog has his day" – well, this year Chum salmon finally earned its chance to shine. The new salt water Salmon Conservation Stamp features a Chum and a bear; and it's a marked departure from the Chinook, Coho and occasional Steelhead of past images. Also known as "dog" salmon for their canine-like teeth, Chum have not historically been a sought-after fish by the recreational fishing industry. But when the winner was revealed at the Pacific Salmon Foundation's annual Salmon Conservation Stamp competition in November, perhaps it was a sign of the times, as the recreational Chum fishery is beginning to grow in popularity. However, when Salt Spring Island artist W. Allan Hancock first conceptualized his winning piece "Rapid Approach – Chum and Grizzly," he was coming at it from a biodiversity perspective. Two years ago Hancock journeyed to the Great Bear Rainforest as part of a Raincoast Conservation campaign called "Artists for an Oil-Free Coast" to raise awareness of the beauty and ecological diversity of the area. "I drew a lot of inspiration from that trip," says Hancock. Underdog Unveiled New Salmon Conservation Stamp welcomes traditionally undervalued Chum salmon to the spotlight By elayNe SuN "It's so rich in wildlife and it's really easy to see the interactions between the different species. When I paint I try to explore relationships in nature and get the viewer thinking about their relationship with nature." The Great Bear Rainforest is home to grizzly bears, black bears and numerous other species, and is the only place in the world where spirit (kermode) bears exist. It's also home to more than 2,500 salmon runs. Many of the other species living there can thank the unique interaction between bears and salmon for their nutrients. One University of Victoria study found bears were dragging so many salmon carcasses up riverbanks, they were fertilizing the surrounding forest, in the process feeding many other species. Chum and Pink are primary targets for fish-eating bears, and some streamkeeping groups supported by the Pacific Salmon Foundation use the same logic by doing year-end "Chum-carcass transplants." Transplants move dead Chum from streams rich with the carcasses to other reaches of the stream, or other streams, not as abundant with dead Chum. The carcasses become key nutrients for emerging insect larvae, which nourish young, growing salmon. Already a well-known wildlife artist, Hancock is also an old hand at using art to raise money and awareness for conservation, for organizations such as Wildlife Habitat Canada. "I see art as playing a critical role in preserving the natural world," he says. "It provides commentary on how fragile it is and that we have the power to be a good influence or bad influence . . . the goal is not to just paint pretty pictures, but to also move people to action." Growing up in Ontario and Saskatchewan, Hancock didn't see many salmon, but he did enjoy trout fishing and was always seeking the outdoors. After his parents moved to Vancouver Island briefly, Hancock fell in love with the West Coast and resolved to one day come back. Now a Salt Spring Island resident, watching the salmon return has become a treasured pastime with his two children. n W. Allan Hancock 2014 Salmon Conservation Stamp winner "Rapid Approach – Chum and Grizzly." by the numbers, since 1987 dId you know? 6 2014 psf.ca salmon Steward magazine 7 p06-07Stamp_Numbers.indd 6 14-04-11 2:01 PM