BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Project

• Description of projects for workshops (PDF)

• Salmon Restoration Inhibitors and Assisters illustration (PDF)

• Workshop presentation (PDF)

The National Indigenous Fisheries Institute and the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC partnered to engage Indigenous organizations and communities in large-scale, multi-Nation initiatives potentially funded through the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF).

These initiatives aim to:

• Increase Indigenous involvement in science partnerships

• Support innovation and infrastructure investment

• Improve productivity, sustainability, and safety in fisheries and aquaculture

Eight proposed projects were developed and refined through workshops with Indigenous groups and First Nations.

Proposed Initiatives

1. Standardizing Salmonid & Ecological Monitoring Tools

• Standardizing Monitoring and Data Collection Tools and Training (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Standardizing Monitoring and Data Collection (PDF)

Concept: BCSRIF funding would support:

• Inventory of existing monitoring tools used by AAROMs and BC First Nations

• Identification of best tools and training needs

• Agreement on:

  • Standardized monitoring tools

  • Required training

  • Data-sharing protocols

• Opportunities for AAROMs and First Nations to provide monitoring services under government contracts

2. GIS Mapping of Riparian Areas (UAV & LiDAR)

• GIS Mapping of BC Riparian Areas to Inform Risk Vulnerability (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: GIS Mapping to Inform Risk (PDF)

Concept:Funding would support AAROMs to:

• Conduct 2–4 pilot projects gathering baseline and comparative data

• Develop community-based watershed maps

• Share interpreted GIS data on an online platform

• Establish collaborative decision-making for coordination

• Partner with the University of Victoria’s Map Shop Collaborative

3. Aquaculture Water Quality & Science Monitoring

• Involving more First Nations in Aquaculture Water Quality, Science and Monitoring (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Aquaculture Water Quality and Monitoring (PDF)

Concept:Funding would enable BC First Nations to:

• Monitor marine aquaculture water quality and wastewater disposal

• Conduct scientific research integrating Indigenous knowledge

• Expand capacity and economic participation in technical aquaculture activities

4. AAROM Participation in Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium

• Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change through Science Partnerships (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Climate Change Partnerships (PDF)

Concept:Funding would support:

• AAROM partnership in Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium research

• Review of previous climate-related salmon studies

• Joint sessions with DFO and scientists

• Development of a salmon rebuilding and habitat restoration work plan

• Implementation of watershed partnership research (Phase Two)

5. Estuary Habitat Management Planning

• Estuary Habitat Management Planning for First Nations Fisheries (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Estuary Habitat Management Planning (PDF)

Concept:Funding would support:

• Development and updating of estuary habitat management plans

• Assessment of existing plans and identification of gaps

• Strengthening First Nations representation in marine spatial planning

• Leveraging best practices

6. Addressing Salmon Habitat Impacts from Other Industries

• Dealing with Salmon Habitat Impacts by Other Industries (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Salmon Habitat Impacts (PDF)

Concept:Funding would support:

• Capacity building for habitat remediation opportunities

• Participation in dam removal, culvert restoration, and mitigation related to mining, forestry, and agriculture

• Mentorship and business development

• Leveraging existing best practices

7. First Nations Natural Disaster Response Network

• Developing and Maintaining a BC First Nations Disaster Response Network for Salmonids and Habitat (PDF)

• Graphic Recording: Natural Disaster Response Network (PDF)

Concept:Funding would support:

• Development of a BC-wide First Nations Disaster Response Network

• Creation of a coordinated contact list for all levels of government

• Improved collaboration during environmental emergencies

• Lessons learned from the Big Bar landslide

• Student internship employment opportunities

• Annual micro-funding to support community response capacity

8. Salmonid Rebuilding Strategy

• Graphic Recording: Advancing a Salmonid Rebuilding Strategy (PDF)

Concept:

• Advance a Salmonid Rebuilding Strategy

• Build upon the Made-in-BC Wild Salmon Strategy and Wild Salmon Policy

• Enable AAROMs and BC First Nations to share and develop rebuilding ideas collaboratively