The Aquatics Department plays a major role in the stewardship and management of Heiltsuk marine resources. In collaboration with other HIRMD departments, Hemas and HTC marine portfolio holders, the Aquatics Department:

• leads in the development of Heiltsuk driven fisheries management plans and supports the implementation of Heiltsuk fishery policies;
• monitors the implementation of provincial and federal legislation related to fresh water and marine environments, such as the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy;
• coordinates research projects with partnering universities and agencies, and
• oversees stewardship initiatives pertaining to Heiltsuk territory marine resources.

The HIRMD Aquatics Department is comprised of a Manager, Coastal Guardian Watchmen and 3 staff to operate the Co-Management Office.
 
The Fisheries Technicians work on several projects throughout the year, including:

• Streamwalks for pink and chum (indicator streams)
• Streamwalks for Tankeeah sockeye
• Tankeeah Sockeye Salmon Enhancement 
• River Restoration Projects
• Dungeness Crab survey
• Rock fish survey
• Kelp survey (Macrocystis)
• Green crab eradication project
• Paralytic Shellfish poison (PSP)(DSP) monitoring
• FSC monitoring
• Management of the Heiltsuk commercial communal manila clam fishery
• Guardian/Watchmen conference calls (connecting with other Nations Guardians on monthly basis
• Monitor heritage sites
• Monitor SOK herring fishery
• Maintain awareness of dive fishery areas
• Maintain awareness of sport and recreational fishers (collect prawn and crab trap data)
• Be the eyes and ears throughout our territory
• Monitor seaweed (porphyria) for nuclear waste from nuclear fallout in japan    

The Aquatics Department partners with several institutions and organizations, including: Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, Hakai Beach Institute, SFU, UVic, University of Washington, Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast, Coastal Guardian Watchmen, First Nations Fishery Council.
 
If you have further questions, please contact Mike Reid at:
(250) 957 – 2303 ext 231
 
Resources 
MaPP – http://mappocean.org/ 
CCIRA – http://ccira.ca/ 
Hakai Institute – http://www.hakai.org/ 
Coastal Guardian Watchmen - http://coastalguardianwatchmen.ca/ 
Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative -http://www.coastalfirstnations.ca/ 

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