September 17, 2009 - 4:43am
Fisheries and Aquaculture students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are getting first-hand practical experience helping restore the cutthroat trout population of small streams near Qualicum Bay.
The Nile Creek-Qualicum Bay Enhancement Program is a comprehensive habitat restoration and enhancement initiative by the Nile Creek Enhancement Society (NCES), Trout Unlimited Canada and VIU’s Fisheries and Aquaculture program.
“The goal of the project is to restore the water resources of the area and rebuild cutthroat populations,” explained VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture Technician Frank Dalziel. “Our students completed habitat work on one of the small streams last year, and two students took fish samples in Qualicum Bay last summer. This year, there will even more exciting opportunities for student involvement.”
That’s because Trout Unlimited Canada has received a $75,000 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Blue Water Project Leadership Grant in support of the Nile Creek-Qualicum Bay Enhancement Project.
According to Ken Kirkby, NCES president, the grant will be used to rebuild sea-run cutthroat trout in creeks and streams flowing into Qualicum Bay by restoring degraded habitat and re-establishing and improving access to productive habitat from the inter-tidal area through to the headwaters of six streams.
Funds will also be used to build and test a model for engaging the community and for VIU’s assistance in the planning and delivery of a broader conservation program featuring five key components: conservation; youth engagement; science development/project management; communication; and fund-raising.
Dalziel, also NCES’s vice-president, said the RBC Blue Water grant money means “more opportunities for VIU fisheries students to work in the field with habitat professionals, and to contribute in a meaningful way to a local project in partnership with a dynamic community group.”
“I can’t think of a better way for students to put their education to work,” he said.
VIU has long been a supporter and active participant in projects such as Nile Creek. Through the Fisheries and Aquaculture program and projects like this, students gain unique practical field experience and academic skills required for challenging careers in fish and invertebrate culture, fish habitat and stock assessment, fisheries enhancement, conservation and management and research.
“I learn by doing,” said third-year student Scott Leonard, now an active volunteer with the Nile Creek project. “I’m gaining excellent field experience. Members of this group are great to work with, and have a long list of projects they want to complete. What we’ve seen so far is just the beginning.”
Diane Sampson, member and administrator of the NCES, said she’s impressed with the expertise and assistance of VIU students in the Nile Creek-Qualicum Bay Enhancement project, a kelp replanting project and eelgrass mapping and monitoring project.
“Their spirit, dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm are invaluable to the success of these projects,” she said.
Mark Lovick, RBC Regional vice-president said the RBC is proud to support Trout Unlimited Canada’s Nile Creek-Qualicum Bay Enhancement project.
“The long term sustainability of cutthroat trout in the Qualicum Bay area is dependent on restoring these water resources,” Lovick said.” The conservation program is a critical component of the project as it will ensure the fish habitat and stock continues to flourish here for generations to come.”
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About RBC Foundation:
RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders. The RBC’s Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million grant program to support projects dedicated to water conservation, watershed protection, access to clean drinking water, and other fresh water-related issues in Canada and around the world. The award to Trout Unlimited is the largest charitable commitment to a single cause ever in RBC's history.
About NCES:
The NCES is a volunteer non-profit society that actively supports the protection of fish and the ecosystems in which they live; specifically, the streams and marine waters of Lighthouse Country on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Their first project was the construction and operation of a successful pink salmon hatchery that provides an outstanding recreational fishery in the Nile Creek area during July and August. NCES won the Canadian Environment Gold Award in the Restoration & Rehabilitation category in 2007 for their work on Nile Creek.
About Trout Unlimited Canada:
Trout Unlimited Canada’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations. TUC has been restoring rivers and streams in Canada for over 35 years. For more information visit www.tucanada.org
About VIU’s Fisheries and Aquaculture program:VIU offers diploma and degree programs. For information, contact chair Mark Noyon, at Mark.Noyon@viu.ca.
Tags: In the Community
