SEP (Salmon Enhancement Program) Workshop 2013 on Bowen Island - May 17 to 19, 2013

 
The Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club (BIF&WC) in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation put on the Salmon Enhancement Program (SEP) Community Volunteer Workshop 2013 held on Bowen Island May 17 – 19 (Victoria Day Long weekend), 2013.
 
 Click on images to enlarge them, then click back.
 
 
 
 
 
This was also the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Salmonid Enhancement Program.
 
 
 
 
The Workshop was hosted by the Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club
 
 
 
Those arriving on Friday afternoon for early registration enjoyed fine appetizers.
 
 

Linda, Roger, and Jean had an appetite after the ferry ride over to the island.  Hyde Creek had one of the largest contingents at the workshop.
 



Issac shows off the souvenir coffee/tea mug that participants received when they arrived.



As usual, it sported a Salmon motif.



Jean and Shane went for a walk in the woods later and spotted something.

 


 There is plenty of wildlife on Bowen but we had to wait till the next day to check on the state of the Salmon locally. 


Saturday morning dawned and more workshop participants arrive.




Everyone settled down to a fabulous breakfast.
 
 


The official start to the workshop begins with a First Nations welcoming ceremony by a Squamish Band member who was eloquent, gracious and entertaining.
 
 

Welcoming speeches were made
 
 
 
Bill Newport, past President of the Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club, was acknowledged for his many years of volunteering and conservation.
 
 
 
There were lots of displays from organizations around the province.
 







Shane views a display from Vancouver Island.



Eventually, the Cello player used his instrument like a guitar and started belting out Beatle's tunes.  This was going to be an interesting weekend. 



Jean found a fish costume to check out.

 
 
With the opening ceremony over, it was time to head out to the workshops, some of which were at the hatchery.
 
 
Full day workshop programs were condensed into one hour introductions about the importance of water, oxygen and temperature in rearing Salmon.
 
 
 
 
 
Maurice Coulter-Boisvert showcased a system for protecting eggs in trays when there is a problem with water supply.
 


The media workshop was enlightening.



Participants got a lot out of every workshop.




 
A highlight of the workshop was a tour of the Terminal Creek Hatchery.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Down by the ocean, participants waited to see what the net would bring in.
 
 
 
 
The net caught a variety of things to study.
 





 
After the workshops wrapped up, it was time for a fine dinner.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Linda won the Cobalt Blue DFO Mug - That has got to be the best of prizes!
 
 
 
Some splendid speeches were made.
 
 
 

Dianne Ramage was honored for her hard work and ongoing contributions.



There was even time for a group photo of the Hyde Creek Contingent.

 
 
So much work has been done on Bowen Island to help Salmon come back.
 
 
 
       Thank you to all who worked so hard to put on a superlative workshop.