Eight directors met on Feb. 2, 2018 for a regular meeting.
After the usual administrative tasks, Joel Robinson gave his treasurer`s report. In it, he outlined our stable financial position and indicated that some money has been allocated to WSU from our gracious donor. He said that our yearly donation from Scotia Bank has not been received. Bob Shortt will follow-up with Lowell Weir, our fundraising chair, regarding this.
Bob, our nominating committee chair, indicated he`s having trouble getting individuals to stand for directors’ positions and asked everyone to try and come up with some names. He also suggested everyone try and get new members to join. Suggestions were made that perhaps we should do more outreach to other groups similar to the road shows we embarked on back in 2014.
Cliff Boudreau gave a short report on the Grand River. He is very disappointed with DFO, in what seems to be a lack of interest on their part in helping the Grand River. In fact, they still haven`t supplied a complete analytical report on the work WSU funded in 2016. Cliff indicated that if something doesn`t get done there in the very near future he will stop trying to bring salmon back to the Grand River.
It was suggested during the meeting that perhaps WSU should meet with DFO again to ascertain whether something can be done with respect to enhancement on that river.
Geoff Nishi gave a very positive report on the Graham`s river and said that a ten-year plan is being proposed for the SW Mabou river.
Chuck Thompson has had preliminary talks with First Nations representatives and Parks Canada personel regarding doing a Fall swim count on the North Aspy River with the goal to do some enhancement, if it`s feasible. He will follow up on activities with respect to this initiative.
Finally, Geoff Nishi outlined the progress on a new initiative WSU is undertaking to study the influence hatcheries have had on wild Atlantic salmon.
The next Director`s meeting date was set for April 6th, 2018