– by Richard Lake –
Volunteers from the Saanich Peninsula and southern Vancouver Island have been undertaking responsibility for preserving, restoring and enhancing the salmon that swim through local waters and the natural environment that supports them. The Sidney Anglers Association, for decades primarily a fishing club, is increasingly active in these goals. Members work on salmon enhancement projects ranging from operating live net pens, to stream restorations and volunteering in hatchery operations.
Until recent years, the revenue needed to cover net pens and stream restoration and provide modest financial assistance to other conservation groups came exclusively from Sidney Anglers’ contract with the Town of Sidney to serve at the Tulista boat ramp and from advertising in the club’s annual Tide Book. Now, the Sidney Anglers hold an annual fundraising salmon derby (to be held this year on Saturday, May 3rd) with net proceeds dedicated to salmon conservation, habitat restoration and enhancement projects. Fishers from southern Vancouver Island and the U.S. participate to support the club’s restoration and enhancement goals, and for the excitement of the high-stakes chase. In 2011 the Derby raised $4,100, in 2012 $8,200, and in 2013 the Sidney Anglers Derby achieved net proceeds of $24,600. At this level, it holds the record as the largest single-year contributor to salmon enhancement of any fishing derby on Vancouver Island.
As a strategy to achieve as much salmon and habitat enhancement as possible from the funds raised from Sidney Anglers’ Annual Derbies, the club prefers to contribute to the cash expenses of volunteer organizations. The Chairman of the Evaluation Committee, Grant MacPherson, reports: “With the important exception of our partners at the Goldstream Hatchery, all the grants provided have been small. When the work is organized and performed by volunteers and local businesses are supportive, a few dollars for fuel and other out-of-pocket costs can make a big difference. Also, a small volunteer-raised financial contribution from Sidney Anglers should give a signal of appreciation to hard-working volunteers.”
With government support for salmon enhancement shrinking, volunteers have had to play an increasing role in the preservation of these fish that mean so much to Vancouver Islanders. As Sidney Anglers President Brian Dunic notes: “Many of our members are now more involved with the fundraising and salmon enhancement than fishing. Some don’t fish at all.”
For full details on this year’s Sidney Anglers’ Derby, visit http://www.sidneyanglers.ca/DerbyPage.
