Grants totalling $24,665 will help habitat rehabilitation, education, outreach and stock enhancement for the Oceanside area salmon population.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) announced grants, through its community salmon program (CSP), for four projects in the area. The total value of the projects, which includes community fundraising, contributions and volunteer time is $137,359, according to the foundation.
The PSF has awarded more than $1.2M in grants to 117 grassroots salmon conservation projects across B.C. The value of these projects is nearly $10 million, according to the foundation.
The four projects the grants will help with are: eco-cultural estuary restorations by the Guardians of Mid Island Estuaries Society; yellow fish stream crossing signs for the Englishman Watershed by the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society; Marion Baker Hatchery water quality improvement by the Parksville Fish and Game Association and hatchery upgrades by the Nile Creek Enhancement Society.
“Support from the Pacific Salmon Foundation has provided us with funds to develop our hatchery and replace collapsing culverts. This year the PSF grant will upgrade our six tanks and provide a water delivery upgrade to the tanks, giving better distribution and less silt,” said Jack Gillen, president of the Nile Creek Enhancement Society.
The PSF said its community salmon program is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s salmon conservation stamp, which is purchased annually by saltwater anglers who participate in the public fishery. Proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to B.C. through the PSF, generating nearly $1.5 million for community grants annually.
“These are great projects for Pacific salmon and we know that Pacific salmon need our help now to restore spawning habitats in stream and rivers, carry out stock assessment and enhancement and provide educational opportunities,” said Michael Meneer, PSF president and CEO.
The provincial government also contributed funds to the community salmon program as part of a $5 million grant, through 2023, according to the PSF.
