the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ashley Zarbatany has been an environmental organizer for the last 11 years. Now, as she spearheads a climate action plan for her community on Cortes Island, it’s innovative ideas like kelp farming that inspire her work.
Continue reading Climate solution: kelp farming on Cortes IslandNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Larry Johnson takes the responsibility of his traditional name — Anii-tsa-chist, or Keeper of the Sea — bestowed to him three decades ago by a much-respected uncle very seriously.
“I’m very proud of the name,” said Johnson, the president of Nuu-chah-nulth (NCN) Seafood, and a fisherman descended from generations of fishermen.
“It is an honour to hold it and to try to live up to that name, and that’s what I try to do every day,” he said.
It’s why Johnson is so excited by the prospects of seaweed aquaculture, one of the newest ventures NCN Seafood has undertaken in partnership with Cascadia Seaweed.
Continue reading First Nations Seaweed farmingthe Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nestled into the head of the Hathhayim [Von Donlop] Park Trail on Cortes Island, B.C, a forest of hemlock, fir and alder wraps around a small clearing recently levelled and fenced.
Soft water sounds come from a building with an open door. Inside, K’all-K’all Tina Wesley is leaning into a salmon incubator box.
She’s checking on 70,000 Chum eggs, removing any that died. As fisheries manager for Klahoose First Nation (KFN), Wesley does this at the community’s salmon hatchery every morning.
Continue reading Rebuilding salmon stocks on Cortes IslandWhen British Columbian restaurants closed their doors last March, they virtually shut down Cortes Island’s #1 industry. Though sales are still below pre-COVID levels, the shellfish sector is coming back.
Continue reading Cortes Island’s #1 Industry is backWhen the Chum salmon returned to Cortes Island four years ago, they entered every creek. Approximately 1,050 swam up Basil Creek this year, but the numbers were far lower everywhere else. Some Whaletown residents saw Chum in their creek, these did not make it to the official tally – which is zero. Despite the disappointing returns, Streamkeeper Cec Robinson describes 2020 as a year in which steps were taken to ensure future Chum runs.
Continue reading Cortes Streamkeepers: to ensure future Chum runs
