Wild Salmon Advisory Council Report Released – Public Input Needed

Victoria – The first step in the development of a renewed provincial approach to protecting and enhancing wild salmon, the Wild Salmon Advisory Council report, was made public to coincide with the start of the International Year of the Salmon.

The Wild Salmon Advisory Council consists of 14 British Columbians, including co-chairs Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk First Nation and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.

The release has already drawn criticism on indigenous leaders on social media.

Cheam Chief and Sto:lo elder Ernie Crey posted to Facebook: The “Wild Salmon Policy”. I thought it was so wild it couldn’t be found.

The report provides 14 recommendations that support the health, habitat and management of wild salmon, as well as the sustainability of the wild salmon industry in British Columbia. It will be submitted to the legislative assembly’s Select Standing Committee of Agriculture, Fish and Food in the coming weeks. The committee has been tasked with leading a public consultation process with British Columbians on the advisory council’s report in the new year, which will inform the development of a renewed provincial approach to protecting wild salmon.

You can participate in the following ways:

1. Participate in the public consultation led by the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food. Learn more about the engagement process.
2. Provide your input during the development of B.C.’s wild salmon strategy by writing to WildSalmonSecretariat@gov.bc.ca.

Questions or comments?

Please contact:

• WildSalmonSecretariat@gov.bc.ca
  Phone: 250-387-0863
  Wild Salmon Secretariat

How can my contribution make a difference?

Public engagement will be important to informing our new strategy. A made-in-B.C. wild salmon strategy will outline the province’s action plan for sustaining wild salmon today and for future generations.

Details of the Engagement:

Dates:    Phase 1: August 10 to September 28, 2018
Phase 2: October 11 to late fall 2018

To read the full Wild Salmon Advisory Council’s report, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/consultation/b-c-wild-salmon-strategy/