A letter from our founders:We are writing to you on behalf of Friends of the Yakoun River Society, an organization we have recently founded with the objective to preserve the Salmon rearing habitat of the Yakoun River. Located on Graham Island, the Yakoun is one of the most important natal rivers on the northern coast and the only river in Haida Gwaii where Chinook Salmon return to spawn.Over the years the spawning and fish-rearing habitat of the Yakoun has been severely compromised by human activity, a problem that is now further compounded by the dwindling capacity of a hatchery located near the mouth of the river. Originally designed to rear up to 200,000 fry annually, the hatchery has insufficient funds to sustain even half that number. With no budget increases in sight from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, its viability is at immediate risk.With an investment of $100,000 from Haida Gwaii Salmon Unlimited Association, and another $10,000 contribution from Vancouver-based miner Goldcorp, Friends of the Yakoun River Society has already begun work to restore the hatchery and to conduct a study of the river’s ecosystems to determine the most effective means to restore habitat. Our longer term objective is to increase the hatchery’s capacity to collect and incubate up to a million eggs annually, which we estimate will carry a yearly price tag of as much as $250,000.This undertaking is the most recent with which The West Coast Fishing Club has been involved and financially supported through personal donations and with partial proceeds from our annual 50-50 draws at each of the lodges. As partners in a consortium of community leaders representing British Columbia resource, utility and sport-fishing industries, our efforts have resulted in the restoration of nine different river systems on the BC coast, beginning in 1988 with the successful restoration of the Marble River, an ailing but critically important river system on northern Vancouver Island.With that as context, we are asking you to consider making a contribution on behalf of your organization, your family or foundation to assist us in an endeavour that is the largest we have yet undertaken in support of preserving Pacific Salmon stocks. We hasten to say that our challenge is urgent. Unless action is immediately taken, we will lose this essential river system.Friends of the Yakoun River Society is a registered society under the BC Societies Act. Should you be interested in lending your vision and support, please contact us directly.Thank you in advance for your considerationSincerely,Rick Grange & Brian LeggeFounders of The West Coast Fishing ClubPlease contact us at:Tel: 604-233-9232Email: richardagrange@gmail.comEmail: brianlegge@westcoastfishingclub.com
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