FSWP: Building Stronger Relationships

Trail-blazers! Thanks to Chehalis First Nation and the BC Federation of Driftfishers, a new trail was created
for recreational anglers to reach prime fishing sites on the Harrison and Chehalis Rivers. This was a good
step towards better relations on the river.

When it comes to salmon, passions run deep in BC. Sometimes this can bring out the best in people — but it can also lead to misunderstandings or conflicts when interests or values clash. But can people turn that around? Absolutely!

Here are a few examples of work supported by the Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program to build stronger working relationships, for the sake of wild salmon and the watersheds on which we all depend.

• The Fraser Salmon Table helped First Nations, sport and commercial fishers and conservation groups in the lower Fraser come together to improve salmon stocks (notably Cultus Sockeye) and reduce conflicts over the Fraser fishery. Positive steps include a newly built trail to the Chehalis River for sports anglers, along with a parking lot and educational kiosks, thanks to leadership from Chehalis First Nation and the BC Federation of Driftfishers. Salmon Table members have worked to ease tensions among fishers and to encourage peaceful, respectful relations in sharing the river. See the YouTube video River Manners for more on this work.
• The Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP) is a collaborative, multi-agency planning and management process for Shuswap and Mara Lakes. SLIPP was created in response to the intense pressure on the lakes from increased development, wastewater discharge and recreation. The SLIPP team worked up a strategic plan to change the development application process, water quality monitoring and public education. FSWP contributed funding support. Read more.
• FRISP and the Salmon River Watershed Society have regularly shared their knowledge of restoration projects, providing assistance on technical implementation and stakeholder engagement. Their experience has helped other watershed groups in BC.
• The “Pulling Together” initiative involved streamkeeper groups, First Nations and municipal governments to plan for protection of lower Fraser Coho. The plan introduces habitat compensation banking so as to allow larger habitat projects to receive funding.

The Sikh Academy and Deshmesh Darbar Sikh Temple in Surrey teamed up to create a Salmon Interpretive Park
by donating land along Bear Creek for restoration, education and inter-faith, inter-generational dialogue.