Salmon Steward

8 2018 psf.ca Chinook salmon (see p. 10), and the growing impact of climate change (p. 22). These aren't issues that single entities can solve on their own, but developing partnerships between NGOs, academics, governments and communities can make a dierence. RaiSing OuR VOiCe fOR SalmOn In May of 2017, the Government of Canada announced a $75-million Coastal Restoration Fund as part of the historic $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan. Over the next five years, the fund will support projects that conserve and protect the overall health of our oceans, including $1.2 million to expand the Pacific Salmon Explorer across the province. This funding could mean new opportunities for salmon and their habitat. Though the Foundation does not actively lobby governments, it's clear that without someone making a bit of noise, Pacific salmon run the risk of being drowned out by other issues. That's why engaging all levels of government, including municipal, regional, provincial, federal and First Nations, is and will continue to be a major strategic priority of the Foundation. Maintaining data systems built by the Foundation such as the Pacific Salmon Explorer (salmonexplorer.ca) and Strait of Georgia Data Centre (sogdatacentre.ca) will ensure vital information is not lost and effective stewardship continues. We've come a long way, but our work is far from done. Going forward, the Foundation's goals include the following: • We will sustain the Community Salmon Program, which supports community stewards with an eye to increasing the funds available to meet demand for larger and more diversified projects such as estuary restoration and ensuring that streams continue to function amidst climate change. • Just as we did with the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, we will build broader networks of stream stewards, First Nations, non-government groups and academics to undertake larger environmental initiatives. • We will create a Salish Sea legacy program to support core projects… maybe even a Salish Sea Institute! This virtual institute will help maintain monitoring and research in the Salish Sea so that we never lose focus on the "sea amongst us" again. • We will continue efforts to establish a community-based monitoring system for stream flows and water quality to assist in the implementation of minimum ecological flows (as committed to in the 2014 Water Sustainability Act of BC). This issue will be critically important to Pacific salmon under climate change. Regrettably, our recommendations on this topic have to date been ignored by the provincial government! • We will maintain the data systems that we have helped develop, to provide ongoing up-to-date information. These systems will continue to develop over the next few years and the Foundation will implement simple tools to access info about Pacific salmon to meet the needs of various user groups, including for education. • We will continue to raise our voice for salmon, explaining their ecological, social/cultural and economic value to all levels of government and industry. The public value of wild Pacific salmon in the Yukon territory and British Columbia continues to be undervalued in decision processes. Presumably our voices are not yet loud enough! • And finally, we will continue to promote – and if necessary, create – a scientific basis for future decisions. We are now confronted with large ecological questions that do not have a su¢cient scientific base yet. For example: the continuing debate over open-net pen salmon aquaculture; the need to restore Southern Resident Killer Whales to their preferred diet of Chinook salmon; and our preparedness for climate change in southern British Columbia, particularly in the lower Fraser River. THE NEXT STEPS

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