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Students propose innovative solutions for pacific salmon conservation
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March 22, 2002
Since meeting to hammer out a treaty on Pacific salmon, about 100 Grade 5-7 students from Vancouver, Seattle, Prince Rupert and Ketchikan, Alaska have produced a plan of action to address concerns about conservation and enhancement of the Pacific salmon fishery.
The culmination of six months of collaborative research into all aspects of the Pacific salmon fishery, the plan is the result of an intensive face-to-face summit between students from all regions at SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue on March 11. Observed by representatives from stakeholder groups and members of the Pacific Salmon Commission, youth delegations also negotiated a joint statement of concerns.
Students identified seven high priority concerns and proposed several solutions for preserving Pacific salmon, focusing on immediate actions and long-term assessment, research, and education. Students have made detailed recommendations for habitat enhancement, fisheries management, and regulation of salmon farming as well as addressing challenges for specific salmon stocks such as the sockeye on the Nass and Skeena Rivers. Recommendations have been published on the project's Web site at http://caius.7thfloormedia.com/salmon/. They will also be sent to government representatives from the three jurisdictions.
"The work these students and their teachers have done is phenomenal," says Julie Zilber, co-director of 7th Floor Media at SFU, who spearheaded the project. "It just goes to show what students are capable of if they’re challenged with real-world problems."
Students who participated in the project not only learned about the complex, inter-locking issues affecting the Pacific salmon fishery; they also gained a greater understanding of the concerns of their cross-border neighbours, and gained insights into the process of consensus-building.
"The project has shed a lot of light on the salmon treaty disputes that have been going on for years. I understand a lot more than I did before," said Ross Duncan, one of the Vancouver students. "I got to learn problem-solving skills that I might be able use in business or politics later on."
For more information about the project and for a complete list of student concerns and proposals, visit the Web site or contact Megan Frazer at megan@7thfloormedia.com or 604-291-5285. Arrangements can be made to interview students, teachers and organizers.
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CONTACT
Julie Zilber, 604.291.5273; Megan Frazer, 604.291.5285
Marianne Meadahl, media/pr, 604.291.4323
The culmination of six months of collaborative research into all aspects of the Pacific salmon fishery, the plan is the result of an intensive face-to-face summit between students from all regions at SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue on March 11. Observed by representatives from stakeholder groups and members of the Pacific Salmon Commission, youth delegations also negotiated a joint statement of concerns.
Students identified seven high priority concerns and proposed several solutions for preserving Pacific salmon, focusing on immediate actions and long-term assessment, research, and education. Students have made detailed recommendations for habitat enhancement, fisheries management, and regulation of salmon farming as well as addressing challenges for specific salmon stocks such as the sockeye on the Nass and Skeena Rivers. Recommendations have been published on the project's Web site at http://caius.7thfloormedia.com/salmon/. They will also be sent to government representatives from the three jurisdictions.
"The work these students and their teachers have done is phenomenal," says Julie Zilber, co-director of 7th Floor Media at SFU, who spearheaded the project. "It just goes to show what students are capable of if they’re challenged with real-world problems."
Students who participated in the project not only learned about the complex, inter-locking issues affecting the Pacific salmon fishery; they also gained a greater understanding of the concerns of their cross-border neighbours, and gained insights into the process of consensus-building.
"The project has shed a lot of light on the salmon treaty disputes that have been going on for years. I understand a lot more than I did before," said Ross Duncan, one of the Vancouver students. "I got to learn problem-solving skills that I might be able use in business or politics later on."
For more information about the project and for a complete list of student concerns and proposals, visit the Web site or contact Megan Frazer at megan@7thfloormedia.com or 604-291-5285. Arrangements can be made to interview students, teachers and organizers.
—30—
CONTACT
Julie Zilber, 604.291.5273; Megan Frazer, 604.291.5285
Marianne Meadahl, media/pr, 604.291.4323