Pacific Salmon Foundation has great support in Victoria
March 2nd, 2011
Pacific Salmon Foundation
On Saturday I (John Espley) had the privilege of attending the Pacific Salmon Foundations annual gala dinner in Victoria B.C. They hold 10 of these dinners around the province which are not only fundraisers for the organization but also a chance for supporters from all walks to get together and network. What a huge gathering! Saturday’s dinner, held at the University of Victoria’s Cadboro Commons Conference center, was fabulous and the Victoria dinner committee had outdone themselves on providing a fantastic selection of live and silent auction items. Thanks to Mike Meneer (VP PSF) for speaking about our joint “Fish for the Future program”. Brain Alexander from Westcoast Resorts did a great job as MC (lots of laughs) with Ward Bond from Island Outfitters really pulling the heart strings as he thanked the volunteers. It was also great to see several old and new friends, there to support the foundation like Larry from Island Fisherman Magazine and the Outdoor Expo.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation is working very hard to protect and preserve our Salmon stocks and the following article demonstrates a good example why and why PSF needs the public’s support.
Chum salmon are typically a low economic value salmon species with little government investment being committed to their management or assessment. These salmon provide vital contributions that are often more difficult to measure and sometimes overlooked, such as cultural and environmental.
The Vancouver Sun and Globe and Mail recently published articles called, Eagles haunt the dump after chum run fails and Starving eagles ‘falling out of the sky‘.
As the articles demonstrate, Chum is a critical source of food for the eagle population in southern B.C. The First Nations people have long used their oil-rich meat for smoking and curing purposes. Chum salmon also have vital ecological functions. Decomposing salmon leach nutrients back into the river system, providing nourishment for some 130 species of plants and animals – algae, fungi, mosses, insects, birds and large mammals.
Chum salmon have very short freshwater migration routes to their spawning grounds making them more vulnerable to detrimental challenges and water contamination from human and commercial development. Human and commercial development removes natural ground surfaces and plants that filter contaminants from flowing water, and create shade and hiding places for fish to re-energize.
This is why many community salmon groups funded by the Pacific Salmon Foundation spend many hours in streams building side channels and planting stream-side vegetation to protect salmon.
Help PSF save the Salmon
The Newspaper article point out the enormous value salmon provide to British Columbia beyond just economic contributions, and the need for much greater investment in Chum salmon survival. Please read the Vancouver Sun story or Globe and Mail and help us support the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Come out and help the Foundation at the March 19 Victoria Salmon Kings Hockey Game. PSF gets a portion of all pre-purchased tickets!
Thanks to Elayne Sun, PSF Communications Coordinator for contributing to this post.