Wharfside
May 2018
Sharing culture and shooting hoops
In this issue Goodbye, for now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hatchery-proud Manager “an Island girl”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Walk to make CF History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Global Ocean Clean Up Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Provincial animal health lab receives gold star review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 VIU students see theory in practice . . . . . . 5 Future Fish Farmer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Campbell River Fly-Fishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Support local charity at a Marine Harvest BBQ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Did You Know? Arnold Schwarzenegger earned $21,429 (USD) for each word spoken (700) in Terminator 2. That’s why he came back.
Trivia time! What is the world’s most popular fruit? Answer on page 4
Comments about this Newsletter? Please email comments, articles and ideas to Chris Read, Communications Manager, at Chris.Read@marineharvest.com
A Comox Valley group experienced an exceptional Easter weekend visiting the village of Klemtu, located in the Great Bear Rainforest region of the B.C. coast. The GP Vanier Towees basketball team, sponsored by Marine Harvest, were invited to the Annual Stewart Wallace Basketball Tournament – the first Vancouver Island team to do so. After arriving at Spirit Bear Lodge, the group took the opportunity to visit some nearby salmon farm sites as well as witnessing a traditional herring roe harvest and some prawn harvesting. However, the aim of the trip wasn’t to be tourists, as fun as that was, they were there to shoot hoops. Two Comox teams – youth and masters – played in the tournament that included the Heiltsuk Nation (Bella Bella), the Haisla Nation (Kitimaat), and of course the Kitasoo/Xai’xais home teams.
The play was fast and furious, laced throughout with a strong passion for the game that was shared by players and spectators alike. The Comox youth team won all their matches including an exciting final against Earl’s Wolfpack – scoring the winning three-point shot with 2.2 seconds left to play. Securing a cash prize for the win, the Comox youth were proud to donate the winnings back to the Klemtu junior basketball programs. The Comox masters team were one victory away from reaching the final, a blessing in disguise for tired bodies after the intensity of games. “It was a really fun tournament, and probably the best quality of games I’ve seen over the past several years,” said Riley McFadyen, Marine Harvest’s production manager and event committee member. Continued on page 4
Goodbye, for now Ian Roberts, Director of Public Affairs, Marine Harvest Canada
After 25 years at Marine Harvest Canada, May 1st will be my last day, for now. I will begin my new role at Marine Harvest Scotland and Corporate immediately, living in Scotland for the next several years with my wife Lori and our dog Rowyn.
will be the first of many more developed by new members of Marine Harvest Canada’s Public Affairs team. I will be reading future issues with keen interest! I wish all my friends, colleagues and business associates much happiness and success in the years to come. Keep doing what you do so well, and don’t forget to tell everyone you know how darn well you do it.
One of my simple and most pleasurable duties has been to provide a monthly newsletter to you – something I’ve done for 15 years. This issue you are reading now
Jeremy Dunn, Director of Public Affairs Marine Harvest Canada
As Ian Roberts departs for the shores of sunny Scotland there is a wealth of change to replace him. The public affairs department will be led by Jeremy Dunn, formerly Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, and include the assistance of Chris
Tina Gonsky Indigenous Relationships Manager
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Chris Read Communications Manager
Read, Communications Manager. Tina Gonsky has now transferred from Marine Harvest’s Human Resources position to her new role as Indigenous Relationships Manager, with support from two new employees Christine Chen and Gary Hall (Indigenous Liaison).
Gary Hall Indigenous Liaison
MarineHarvest.ca
Chrissy Chen Indigenous Liaison
Hatchery-proud Manager “an Island girl” time not knowing if the company was going to make it or not. My sister left her log scaling job and partnered with my dad to help on a fulltime basis,” adds Laura. In 1993, following the death of Laura’s mom, her father no longer wanted to work in aquaculture. That’s when she pursued it as a career.
By Gina Forsyth
It could be said that Victoria-born and North Island bred Laura Guzda, Manager of Freshwater Farms in Duncan, Vancouver Island, has aquaculture as part of her roots. “I grew up in Port McNeill and after graduating landed a pretty good job at the Village Office as a Confidential Secretary. I stayed there for years but my heart was always longing for an outdoor job,” Laura says. “Back in the 80s my father came into a career change and decided to go for something that he was passionate about - fish. He applied for and got the first aquaculture licenses for rearing fish in Keough and Georgie Lakes,” says Laura. Keough is south of Port McNeill and Georgie Lake is northwest of Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. “Family members worked hard to construct the floating wooden structures to grow the fish. Back then it was a nerve-wracking
“I packed up my kids and headed for Georgie Lake. We didn’t have any electricity at the time so I taught my children correspondence under propane lights. That wasn’t much fun. It was pretty exciting when we got the generator up and running,” laughs Laura. “We ran around flicking light switches on and off, excited each time one worked,” she adds. “We had very little equipment to help us do our jobs. No forklifts to move feed, that was all done by wheelbarrow. No fish pumps to help transport fish, they were netted into garbage cans, run down the system, up a flight of stairs and then passed up to the guys on the transport truck.” Laura’s next challenge was to take on the development of the salmon hatchery at Victoria Lake, east of Port Alice. “I loved it so much,” Laura enthuses. “It was one of the joys of my life,” she
adds. Laura was involved right from the beginning, developing the site, securing contractors to complete all the buildings that she had designed and organizing everything else in between. The facility received its first fish in 2006 and “they grew like crazy”. The site was shut down in 2009 due to a naturally occurring fungus that proved uncontrollable. It was summer of that same year that Freshwater Farms was losing its manager due to retirement and Laura stepped in. “It was a steep learning curve but I love a challenge,” she says. Laura oversees the facility and its eight employees. “I really like Freshwater Farms because we do everything here; create families, incubate eggs, grow out the different year classes and spawn full grown brood four years later,” explains Laura. “It’s exciting to be working at this level and being a part of the genetic program. It tests your organizational skills constantly,” explains Laura. Outside of work, Laura and her husband live on five acres in Duncan. They have a large garden they tend during the summer months and enjoy the company of their nine-year-old grandson whenever possible.
Walk to make CF History On May 27th the Campbell River / Comox Valley chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada are hosting the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History to help raise
MarineHarvest.ca
funds for critical research and care. If you can participate or would like to support someone who is, go to http://www. cysticfibrosis.ca/walk/
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Continued from page 1
Win a day of fishing & golf
Sharing culture and shooting hoops
Kitasoo and Vanier groups enjoy a sunny day in Klemtu
It was a weekend of new experiences for the Comox young men, and a trip that strengthened bonds within the team and built new ones with Kitasoo friends. “The young men from Vanier experienced
something that will last forever in their lives,” says coach Larry Street. “Our heartfelt thanks go to our hosts Chief Archie Robinson and the wonderful people of Klemtu.”
Global Ocean Clean Up Day May 5th 2018 is Global Ocean Clean-up day. At Marine Harvest we depend on a healthy ocean so we’ve taken the idea and moved it forward a day so employees around the world can take part more easily. For our marine sites a shore line cleanup is a part of the monthly routine, but for our land based staff it will be more of a break from the
routine – a good chance to reconnect with an environment we often take for granted. This Friday we’ll be cleaning the shoreline near our sites and also at the stretch of beach at the Campbell River’s Tyee Spit. If you‘re inspired to do your bit then join us – and feel free to share your photos on the Marine Harvest Canada Facebook page!
As a Marine Harvest employee you have the chance to win an amazing prize. A ½ day guided fishing trip with Island Pursuit Sport Fishing plus a round of golf at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community, followed by dinner at The Timber Room If you have been with the company more than 6 months you’ll be automatically entered into the draw. Two names will be chosen at random on May 15th. The winners will need to arrange a day to enjoy this great prize and will be able to take one colleague, partner or friend along. This prize was bought by Marine Harvest as a part of its support for Ducks Unlimited BC.
Provincial animal health lab receives gold star review
In the fall of 2017, a scientist working at Fisheries and Oceans Canada stated on CTV’s W5 television show that the
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Centre was perhaps operating in conflict of interest for its collaboration on research studies with companies such as Marine Harvest. The review, completed by Deloitte, found no evidence of “dubious data or conflict of interest”. Writing to BC Premier John Horgan, Deputy Minister
Don Wright concluded that the Animal Health Centre “is an asset that is of critical importance to the agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries” and “an institution of which the Public Service can be proud.”
MarineHarvest.ca Answer: The tomato (and yes, it is a fruit!)
A recent review of British Columbia’s Animal Health Centre concluded that the laboratory “operates with strong professional, scientific and ethical integrity.”
VIU students see theory in practice
Future Fish Farmer?
VIU students learn the science about recirculating aquaculture systems
Last month 19 students from the Fisheries and Aquaculture program at Vancouver Island University joined us for a tour of the Dalrymple Hatchery and the Okisollo site. As a part of their studies the students had learnt the theory of recirculation aquaculture systems and were impressed to see it in practice, particularly at the scale that Dalrymple operates at. Never before have biofilters been so admired!
The students then made the journey out to a ocean farm, whilst some had experience of aquaculture and had spent some time working at our farms, for others it was a completely new experience. Huge thanks to managers Lance and Paul for their help in allowing a large group of curious individuals continue their education.
Ruaraidh Leslie is obviously thrilled to have “borrowed” his new baby sister’s (Aili May) Marine Harvest overalls. His dad Kenny says the three-year old also loves to “borrow” his dad’s hat whenever it’s within reach.
Campbell River Fly-Fishers We are proud of what we do and are always keen to take the opportunity to demonstrate why. A chance meeting at an event led to a group of ten keen fly fishermen from the Campbell River area to take a tour of a local farm site.
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Support local charity at a Marine Harvest BBQ! Join us at these events this summer for a delicious meal and to support deserving charities. Charity
Date
Campbell River Killer Whales Swim Club Easter Celebration - Downtown Campbell River
31-Mar-18
Mt Washington Ski Club Royal LePage 36th Annual Snow to Surf Relay Charity
29-Apr-18 Date
Serving Time
Campbell River - Spirit Square
Lunch
Comox Marina Park Location
Lunch Serving Time
Campbell River KillerSyndrome Whales Swim Club(CASS) Canadian Angelman Society Easter Celebration - Downtown Campbell River Walk for Angels Campbell River
31-Mar-18 05-May-18
Campbell River - Spirit Frank Square James Park
Lunch
Mt Washington Ski Club School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Georgia Park Elementary Royal SpringLePage Fun Fair36th Annual Snow to Surf Relay
29-Apr-18 16-May-18
Comox Marina Campbell River Park - Georgia Park Elementary School (678 Hudson Road)
Lunch Dinner
Canadian Angelman Syndrome Society Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Mid (CASS) Vancouver Island Chapter Campbell River Walk for Angels 100 Mile Ride
05-May-18 19-May-18
Campbell - Frank James Nanaimo -River Maffeo Sutton ParkPark
Lunch Dinner
Georgia Elementary Parent The JohnPark Howard Society School of North IslandAdvisory Committee (PAC) Spring FunOutreach Fair Homeless - Support Backpacks Initiative
16-May-18 01-Jun-18
Campbell River - Georgia Park Elementary School Spirit Square (678 Hudson Road)
Dinner Lunch
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Vancouver Island Chapter Vancouver Island Compassion DogsMid Society 100 Mile Bike Ride Ride Destination: Port Alberni to Comox Moutain
19-May-18 16-Jun-18
Nanaimo - Maffeo SuttonCentre Park Comox - CFB Recreation
Dinner Lunch
The John Howard SocietySociety of North Island Campbell River Hospice Homeless Outreach - Support Backpacks Initiative Race the River - Dragon Boat Regatta
01-Jun-18 23-Jun-18
Campbell River - Spirit Square Park, Tyee Spit Dick Murphy
Lunch
Vancouver Island Compassion DogsFund Society BC Professional FireFighters - Burn Moutain BikeCelebration Ride Destination: Port Alberni to Comox Canada Day
16-Jun-18 01-Jul-18
Comox - CFB Recreation Centre Campbell River - Shoppers Row at St Anns (in front of CIBC)
Lunch
Campbell Hospice Society Association Port HardyRiver Volunteer Firefighter Race River - Dragon Boat Regatta Filomithe Days
23-Jun-18 21-Jul-18
Campbell - DickStreet Murphy Park, Park Tyee Spit Port HardyRiver - Market - Carrot
Lunch
BC Professional FireFighters - Burn Fund Comox Bay Sailing Club Canada Day Celebration Sailing Regatta Port Hardy Volunteer Firefighter Association OrcaFest Filomi Days Port McNeill Comox Club CR BikeBay ParkSailing Society Sailing Regatta Snowden Trail Challenge OrcaFest Campbell River Volunteer Society Port McNeill Volunteer & Community Resource Fair CR Bike Park Society Snowden Trail Challenge
01-Jul-18 River Park - Shoppers Row at St “Crash Anns Lunch 28-Jul-18 has Campbell Comox Marina DinnerRace� on Once again Marine Harvest four 2018 sponsored to Pass Boat (in front of CIBC)
seasons passes for Saratoga Speedway August 18th! Follow the link for the online 21-Jul-18 Port Hardy Street - Carrot Park Lunch tba McNeill- Market - downtown available to staff on a first come, first serve basis.
twitter.com/MHCanada
28-Jul-18 25-Aug-18
events schedule http://saratogaracing.ca/
Comox Marina Campbell River Park - Snowden Trail The races are every Saturday starting race-schedule/ (3820 Snowden Road)
Dinner Lunch
May 5th to September 29th, with extra tba Port McNeill - downtown 15-Sep-18 Campbell River - Community Centre Contact the main office in Lunch Campbell River to tickets available for the Marine Harvest
Campbell River Volunteer Society Volunteer & Community Resource Fair
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Location
facebook.com/MHCanada
reserve and pick up tickets.
25-Aug-18
Campbell River - Snowden Trail (3820 Snowden Road)
Lunch
15-Sep-18
Campbell River - Community Centre
Lunch
bit.ly/MHCanada MarineHarvest.ca
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