Drastic declines in water quality in Beaver Harbor have resulted in water quality closures, which have prohibited access to the Harvest of shellfish, have been impacting the community’s reliance on the shellfish resource for both food and economic opportunity since 1970.

The Kwakiutl First Nation has identified the management of their shellfish resources as a mean to enhance economic opportunity, food availability, and as a vehicle to initiate a Community Environment Stewardship Initiative related to cultural integrity-shellfish and the environment and have for 3 years been working to address water quality issues in part through the assistance of Health Canada’s first nations and Inuit Health branch.

As a direct result of this work Environment Canada has allowed for the controlled harvest shellfish under federally regulated Relay or Depuration program.

DEPURATION

Depuration is a process used in many countries to “Purify” (CLEANSE) shellfish which has been grown or placed in contaminated water. Given the identification and level of contaminants has been proven.

Depuration requires that shellfish harvested under a “controlled harvest permit” be moved to a depuration facility. This is where the raft I place beside Cattle Island will take place for “Depuration”

In B.C. there are approximately 4 licensed depuration facilities.

The object of the Kwakiutl First Nation and Environmental Stewardship Project is to protect the current and future shellfish resources from contaminating levels of pollution with the overall target of Achieving A Sustainable harvest of shellfish from the waters of Beaver Harbor.

I will inform all community members as this project progresses.

If anyone has any questions on this project please do not hesitate to call me @ 949-6012 Ext 237

Hope you all have a safe and happy week.