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First ever Island vacation leads to “dream job” for Ontario native

August 2, 2012

Filed under: What We Do — Tags: aquaculture, BC Cetacean Sightings Network, beach-combing, Campbell River, career, data, dream job, drilling and blasting, farm technician, fishing, Guelph, job, Lindsay, Nicky Barchuk, Ontario, phots, pictures, Quatsino, Sir Sandford Fleming College, Sir Sanford Fleming, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Island, whale identification, Whales — marineharvestcanada @ 3:40 pm

By Gina Forsyth

The Quatsino region on northwest Vancouver Island is fortunate to have Nicky Barchuk’s positive energy and keen interest in the industry. As a Farm Technician 2 at Monday Rocks, she feeds fish and samples for plankton, along with the position’s many other responsibilities.

Nicky Barchuk

Nicky grew up outside Guelph, Ontario. After high school, she earned her certificate in drilling and blasting from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay in 2006.

When it was holiday time, Nicky headed to Vancouver Island and Campbell River, both for the first time. “I loved it here and quickly decided to move last spring”. Through word of mouth, Nicky heard about the salmon aquaculture industry and immediately applied, excited about employment with such a strong focus on outdoor work. “I was ecstatic to be hired,” Nicky said, “It’s my dream job.”

Adding to the sheer pleasure of Nicky’s farm work was her involvement in the Vancouver Aquarium’s BC Cetacean Sightings Network. All Marine Harvest sites and vessels have been part of it since last year. In recognition of her dedication, Nicky was named one of the Top 25 Whale Observers in BC for 2011. “I travel to every farm in the Quatsino region and collect the whale sighting data from their log books. We record the date, time, behavior and location of each whale and the weather.” She also takes pictures and encourages everyone in her region to as well.

Even on days off, Nicky’s never far from the water. She loves to beach-comb and “to say I fish a lot would be an understatement”.

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Farm technician privileged to tell his whale of a story

November 1, 2011

Filed under: Community Support,Wildlife Viewing — Tags: BC Cetacean Sightings Network, british columbia, Canada, DFO, dolphinns, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, humpback, Jackie Hildering, Mahatta East, Marine Education and Research Society, marine harvest, MERS, Mike Stoskopf, Quatsino Sound, Stovetop, Stovetop stuffing, turtles, Vancouver Aquarium, west coast, whale — marineharvestcanada @ 1:15 pm

"Flukey Shot" of Stovetop the Whale

Self-confessed “water guy” and farm tech Mike Stoskopf is looking back on a summer like no other. An unexpected legacy in the form of a whale bearing a name he chose has not only strengthened his interest in whales but has also added to the body of knowledge surrounding these majestic animals who call the waters of BC home for part of the year.

Mike first sighted the humpback whale that would later be known as Stovetop in the spring while on shift at Mahatta East in Quatsino Sound. It regularly travelled with a juvenile and another whale. Mike consulted an on-line whale database and after careful study, realized that the chances were high that the largest of the three humpbacks had never before been sighted locally.

I took several pictures of the whale which eventually came to the attention of Jackie Hildering at the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), said Mike. After extensive consulting with her colleagues, Jackie confirmed to Mike that he was in fact the first person to see this particular whale.

Anyone who is the first to sight a whale is given the privilege of naming it. “I was called Stovetop Stuffing as a kid because of my last name, and I decided Stovetop was the perfect name,” explained Mike.

“This summer was a moving experience. I made eye contact with the whales and simply knew there was not only intelligence but gentleness as well. Not once did I ever feel like I was in danger,” adding that it’s been fantastic to watch the juvenile whale grow and become more independent as the months went by. “I developed a bond with Stovetop and the others throughout the summer,” Mike added.

Another connection Marine Harvest staff have to whales is through the BC Cetacean Sightings Network, a joint effort between the Vancouver Aquarium Fisheries and Oceans Canada that was established in 1999. This research and conservation program’s goal is to teach the public about not only BC whales but dolphins, porpoises, and sea turtles, and issues threatening their survival.

An essential part of the network is the observers across the province, from not only aquaculture employees, lighthouse keepers, recreational boaters to whale watching operators who report their sightings of whales and other cetaceans. Beginning in June 2011, each Marine Harvest farm site as well as all company vessels are equipped with log books where whale sightings are recorded. The date, time, and location of each whale is written down, as well any other pertinent details.

The Marine Harvest maintained log books will be submitted to the BC Cetacean Sightings Network on an annual basis. This data, along with what is collected by others, provides valuable information about which whales are found where as well as assisting in future management plans for at-risk species.

For more information, check out www.wildwhales.org.

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Doors to N.I. Salmon Stewardship Centre open Sept. 20

September 2, 2009

Filed under: Community Support,Salmon Enhancement,What We Do — Tags: Al Huddlestan, Aleria Ladwig, Courier Islander, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO, enhancement, Grant Anderson, habitat restoration, Hatchery, John Nightingale, marine harvest canada, Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association, NVISEA, Quatse River, Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Island, watershed planning — marineharvestcanada @ 11:56 am

Marine Harvest donated 10 large fish rearing tanks.

Courier-Islander September 2, 2009

Doors to the long awaited Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre open to the public on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 10 am.

This multi-purpose, educational facility features an interpretive gallery, wet and dry laboratories, a classroom and administrative offices.

Facilities associated with ongoing hatchery operations, such as the aeration towers and rearing tanks, have been upgraded and will support expanded fish production and enhancement activities at the centre in future.

The centre is intended to be a focus for ongoing salmon stewardship activities in the community, including habitat restoration, watershed planning, educational programs, tours, events raising awareness of the importance of salmonids and general enhancement initiatives.

There are also plans for future research and monitoring activities to be carried out at the centre.

“We’re pleased to have had such tremendous support from our funders and from the community for this project,” says Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association chair Grant Anderson.

NVISEA spearheaded the project, which involved raising over $1 million to build and outfit the centre.

“We had a lot of help,” says Anderson, noting that work on the centre started over three years ago when then Department of Fisheries and Oceans Community Advisor Aleria Ladwig initiated a business plan for the brand new facility.

Since then, major funding has come from sources such as the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, Island Coastal Economic Trust, West Coast Community Adjustment Program, Coast Sustainability Trust, Towns For Tomorrow, Pacific Salmon Foundation, BHP Billiton, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Port Hardy Rotary, Norkan Construction, Vancouver Foundation, B.C. Hydro, B.C. Transmission Corporation and local businesses such as Irene Paterson, CGA and TwofourOne Consulting, and individuals like Jim and Bea Robson of Vancouver.

“We also received significant in kind contributions over the duration of the project,” adds Anderson, pointing to invaluable assistance from Norkan Construction, Boris the Mechanic, Orca Sand and Gravel, Western Forest Products, Marine Harvest, and numerous local small businesses that donated their time and materials to the building.

“We are particularly indebted to John Nightingale and his staff at the Vancouver Aquarium,” says Anderson, noting that the technical direction from aquarium staff was critical during the early stages of development of the interpretive space and the selection of a desirable design company.

The centre promises to be a key piece in the ongoing development of the tourism sector on northern Vancouver Island, says Regional District Chair Al Huddlestan.

“I believe this facility has the potential to provide a great educational and interactive experience for people of all ages,” notes Huddlestan.

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