Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht regenerate salmon runs

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An ancient river has a new life, thanks to the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations.

The two neighboring nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island recently agreed to put aside overlapping boundary issues and work towards a brighter future, restoring valuable salmon runs that have been adversely affected by decades of heavy logging.

More than 50,000 cubic metres of earth were moved by excavators to tap into an underground spring near the confluence of the North and East Klanawa River in creating a new habitat for chum and coho salmon in an area shared and co-managed by the Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht Nations.

"Kleco to this little river and the life that will come from this place," said Huu-ay-aht Tyee Ha'wiih Tliishin (Spencer Peters). "This is another great day for our nations, and another step we're taking in the right direction," he said.

"This is for the futures of our peoples," said Ditidaht Tyee Ha'wiih Sat ii xab (Richard Tate). "This is another step in bringing our two nations together, sharing resources within our shared territory," he said.

With the turn of a tap at the back of a tanker truck, 50,000 tiny chum salmon smolts were released into the new side channel through a large hose and through a bucket brigade of children from Boquilla Elementary School and Bamfield Community School.

More than 100 guests from DFO, Nitinat Hatchery, Bamfield Marine Station and various local schools witnessed the cultural celebration which accompanied the release of the salmon, which is just the beginning for this new habitat area.

"We plan to release three million chum fry from the Nitinat Hatchery and 24,000 coho fry from existing Klanawa runs into this side channel," said Huu-ay-aht Fisheries Manager Stefan Ochman.

"The Klanawa watershed was identified as a priority enhancement area a few years ago through various government assessments because of all the logging that has taken place around here and how unstable the river has become as a result of that logging. This side channel is an important step in helping repair a bit of that damage," he said.

DFO's Habitat Restoration Salmon Enhancement Program and B.C.'s Forest Renewal contributed the funding for the one kilometre long, $120,000 side channel project started last fall.

"This side channel will be a great thing for future generations," said Huu-ay-aht Ha'wilth Klawanic (Victor Williams). "Fishing isn't very good right now, so we're working to make things better for everybody," he said.