Wharfside
April 2018
The State of the Pacific Ocean
In this issue Welcome Alexander Inlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tanks again. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sub in Salmon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Million
Jacques Gaudet sails into retirement. . . . . 3
Readers Choice Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Bring it!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Did You Know? Marine Harvest recently announced plans for 2000 salmon restaurants in China.
Dr. Richard Beamish’s “2018 International Research Expedition” presentation to researchers in Nanaimo on February 28, 2018, highlighted the variability of salmon runs including the four-year cycle of Fraser River sockeye. By Greg Gibson Environmental Assessment Biologist
Trivia time! In seven years, how much has Marine Harvest Canada’s salmon BBQ raised for charity? Answer on page 4
Comments about this Newsletter? Please email comments, articles and ideas to Ian Roberts, Director of Public Affairs, at ian.roberts@marineharvest.com
Every organism needs a suitable environment to live in throughout its whole life cycle. Salmon are no different. Changes to the environment will affect their growth, survival, reproduction, and distribution. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been reporting on “State of the Pacific Ocean” meetings held yearly since 1999. At these meetings, both government and non-government groups from Canada and the United States provide data from the previous year sampling of physical, biological, and selected fishery resources on the BC coast. These findings help provide answers as to whether ocean conditions are favourable to salmon survival. Based on 20
years of data, it’s evident there are a mix of good and bad years. Primary production drives the food chain in the marine environment. Blooms of phytoplankton in the spring are eaten by zooplankton that is eaten by juvenile salmonids. If the timing of the spring bloom doesn’t coincide well with the outmigration of salmon from rivers, then there may be a lack of food resource for the juvenile salmon. Differences in temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and available nutrients can also cause changes to the amount of food and the specific diet that the juveniles require. A rough start can have detrimental effects on survival. Continued on page 3
“Thank you to Marine Harvest for their much appreciated and generous sponsorship over the past three years! The $15,000.00 enabled us to purchase much needed equipment and provide a better experience for our swimmers. The Marine Harvest salmon barbeque is also a highlight to our annual swim meet in July and a favourite for both local and visiting families alike.” —Campbell River Salmon Kings
Welcome Alexander Inlet Marine Harvest Canada’s 17th farm site certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s salmon standard!
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MarineHarvest.ca
Jacques Gaudet sails into retirement that would qualify him to skipper boats and has held the Master Limited for Vessels less than 60 gross tonnes since the summer of 1991. “My original plan was to make it to Australia but I never got there.”
By Gina Forsyth
The first day of Jacques Gaudet’s retirement guarantees the Broughton area won’t be the same come May 4. The crew boat operator sails into the sunset after 27 years as the Crew Boat Operator on the Salmo III.
“I love to camp and my playground was the Broughton area,” explains Jacques, adding that he began chatting with the manager of the Swanson Island site during one of his camping excursions after he received his certification.
“I’ve been fortunate to spend so many years working on the water and see lots of wildlife,” says the Quebec native.
Jacque’s timing was perfect as the company’s boat driver was leaving. He applied in June and started the following month. “I knew the area very well and this was an asset,” Jacques says.
Jacques initially studied to be a professional chef but then worked on a dairy farm in the late 1970s until the recession hit and work dried up. He made his way west and worked in the B.C. logging industry for a time until the physicality of the job became too much. He decided to take the course
When Jacques first began with the company that eventually became Marine Harvest, there were only two crews that had to be transported to and from the sites on a regular basis. When he wasn’t busy moving people, Jacques would tow equipment to and from sites with the crew
boat. The days were long, he explains, especially when he had to be up at 2am to catch the tide. In those days, nets were washed by hand using specialized equipment that Jacques would transport from site to site. He was also responsible for scheduling the net washing at each site in his area. When Jacques moors the company boat for the last time, he’ll head home to Port McNeill and begin making plans for the rest of his life. Boats and water will continue to be a big part of it. “I bought a sailboat about a month ago that I can’t wait to get in the water,” says Jacques. For the employee who has spent more than 25 years always having to be in the right place at the right time, the relaxed pace of retirement will be a challenge, but one he’s looking forward to. When asked for parting advice, Jacques says, “Whatever you do in life, make sure you like it. My job has fulfilled me.”
Continued from page 1
The State of the Pacific Ocean Returning salmon have other challenges. A lack of snowpack combined with warmer than ideal temperatures (climate change) result in early snow melt, low flows, and higher river temperatures in the fall when the salmon return to spawn. Salmon stage at the mouth of rivers waiting for higher flows and lower temperatures. Whether the returning salmon wait or enter the sub-
optimal conditions of the river, the results are the same: the salmon and their eggs are compromised. It is clear and obvious that optimal conditions equal strong salmon runs, and regions within the Pacific Northwest can be highly variable due to local environmental differences. Fluctuations in these conditions influence egg and MarineHarvest.ca
juvenile survival and therefore the number of returning adult salmon. Many more examples of varying ocean conditions and their effect on salmon are noted in the State of the Pacific Ocean reports catalogued since 1999 found at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ oceans/publications/index-eng.html.
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Tanks again The Oyster River (Salmonid) Enhancement Society installed two tanks donated by Marine Harvest this past fall. The tanks hold adult wild Chinook salmon until ready for spawning. Acknowledging Marine Harvest’s donation at the hatchery’s annual general meeting in March, manager Lyle Edmunds noted that “We’ve always had some fish die in the old square tanks, but these new circular tanks had 100% survival, which is fantastic.”
Sub in Salmon Dr. Joy Bauer (MS, RD, CDN) provides readers at Walnuts.org four simple ways to add good fats to their diet. “Go nuts; add avocado, opt for olive oil, and sub in salmon,” explains the health and nutrition expert.
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MarineHarvest.ca Answer: $150,000 (that’s 30,000 salmon burgers!!)
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Replace your prime rib or steak with roasted, grilled, or baked salmon (3 ounces per serving) to cut calories and saturated fat. Evidence shows that making this simple swap twice a week can reduce your risk for heart disease and obesity.”
Students from Excel Career College’s aquaculture class were delighted to receive a tour from Paul and Eli at Okisollo farm in March! “It was great to witness the excitement of the students and listen to all of their intelligent questions. All the tour guides were excellent. Thanks again to [BC Salmon Farmers Association] and the Marine Harvest team for the time you so graciously provided to our students.” – Excel teacher Anna Schweers
Business Intelligence Manager, Pam McDermott, was pleased to accept the “Reader’s Choice” aquaculture award on behalf of Marine Harvest last month. The award was voted by readers of the North Island Gazette.
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Bring it! Our 2018 summer salmon charity BBQ schedule is announced! Join us at these events this summer for a delicious meal and to support deserving charities.
Charity
Date
Serving Time
Campbell River Killer Whales Swim Club Easter Celebration - Downtown Campbell River
31-Mar-18
Campbell River - Spirit Square
Lunch
Mt Washington Ski Club Royal LePage 36th Annual Snow to Surf Relay
29-Apr-18
Comox Marina Park
Lunch
Canadian Angelman Syndrome Society (CASS) Campbell River Walk for Angels
05-May-18
Campbell River - Frank James Park
Lunch
Georgia Park Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Spring Fun Fair
16-May-18
Campbell River - Georgia Park Elementary School (678 Hudson Road)
Dinner
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Mid Vancouver Island Chapter 100 Mile Ride
19-May-18
Nanaimo - Maffeo Sutton Park
Dinner
The John Howard Society of North Island Homeless Outreach - Support Backpacks Initiative
01-Jun-18
Campbell River - Spirit Square
Lunch
Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs Society Moutain Bike Ride Destination: Port Alberni to Comox
16-Jun-18
Comox - CFB Recreation Centre
Lunch
Campbell River Hospice Society Race the River - Dragon Boat Regatta
23-Jun-18
Campbell River - Dick Murphy Park, Tyee Spit
Lunch
BC Professional FireFighters - Burn Fund Canada Day Celebration
01-Jul-18
Campbell River - Shoppers Row at St Anns (in front of CIBC)
Lunch
Port Hardy Volunteer Firefighter Association Filomi Days
21-Jul-18
Port Hardy - Market Street - Carrot Park
Lunch
Comox Bay Sailing Club Sailing Regatta
28-Jul-18
Comox Marina Park
Dinner
Port McNeill - downtown
Lunch
OrcaFest Port McNeill
tba
CR Bike Park Society Snowden Trail Challenge
25-Aug-18
Campbell River - Snowden Trail (3820 Snowden Road)
Lunch
Campbell River Volunteer Society Volunteer & Community Resource Fair
15-Sep-18
Campbell River - Community Centre
Lunch
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