World Fisheries Trust

1) Who are you?

World Fisheries Trust

2) What does your group do?

We help by raising awareness about conserving aquatic biodiversity through various initiatives and projects aimed at students, teachers, media and the general public, as well as through more technical tools, including consultations, workshops, books and research focusing on international policy and communication. Our environmental education initiatives aim to change attitudes by explaining how the environment functions and how people fit in to these processes. We also have a social and environmental responsibility, which means facilitating better dialogue between businesses and communities, using a common interest approach for problem solving, has also worked, and we encourage it in all our programs. WFT is also involved in managing international fisheries projects that stress co-management, economic development, added value and livelihood alternatives. Our goal is to involve communities in stock assessment, fisheries monitoring, habitat improvement, environmental monitoring and stewardship.

3) When does your group meet? Please include board meetings.

There are no scheduled meetings, other than our annual general meetings with committee of board members. We do, however, offer many opportunities for people to become involved in our work as volunteers, and we are happy to make an appointment to discuss future work.

4) What is your geographical jurisdiction with respect to the Colquitz watershed?

Much of our research-based work is in the Gorge Waterway, which is where the Colquitz River empties at the southern end of the watershed.

5) What projects have you accomplished with respect to the Colquitz watershed?

Since 2008, we have been monitoring the herring population in the Gorge through annual citizen-science creel surveys and community mapping and place-based conservation efforts. In July 2009, WFT started a project to examine the population of Olympia oysters that remains in the Gorge despite years of heavy agricultural, industrial, and urban activities – factors that have caused extirpation in other locations. This includes a relocation project in 2013 that helped maintain the established population of oysters living on the newly constructed Craigflower Bridge. In addition to the CRD water quality monitoring program, we have also been measuring the temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and turbidity in the water column for the past several years.

6) What are your current projects with respect to the Colquitz watershed?

The herring, oyster and water quality monitoring projects are ongoing.

7) How can others participate in your groups’ projects? Are there any requirements?

We are always looking to expand our group of dedicated volunteers to help with education and research-based projects that we manage. Participants do not need special qualifications to work with us, however, we are looking for people that have a passion for our work and are willing to regularly commit time and energy to helping us continue the projects.

8) How is your group funded?

WFT is funded through a variety of sources, like Walmart Evergreen, Habitat Stewardship Program, and Pacific Conservation Assistance Fund.

9) Contact info: email and/or website

434 Russell Street
Victoria BC Canada V9A 3X3
250-380-7585