![SALMON AWARD: Rachel Blaney, North Island-Powell River MP, was awarded a lifetime membership to Powell River Salmon Society on Friday afternoon (March 3). Beside her, [from left] were Gord Jones, Powell River Salmon Society treasurer; Shane Dobler, hatchery manager; and Rod Tysdal, vice president.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/people/2821_blaney_award_1.JPG;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney supports the work Powell River Salmon Society Society has done to ensure the long term sustainability of pacific salmon. On Friday afternoon, March 3, Blaney was awarded by the society with a lifetime membership.
The society operates three fish hatcheries in qathet Regional District.
Blaney said that, “there hasn’t been any brand new funding for many years [for the hatcheries], and the work they do is good, but it’s hard to do the work of protecting salmon, when you don’t have the support you need.
“I was able to ask questions in the House of Commons and I worked with the department of fisheries to encourage them to meet with the society.”
Powell River Salmon Society launched the Salmon Preservation Foundation (SPF) in 2022. The foundation was created out of a necessity to support the government funding shortfalls of the Powell River Salmon Society and pacific salmon in general, according to the society.
