Strength in Numbers…
It has now been about eight months since I accepted the role as ASF’s Regional Director for New Brunswick. These first few months have already been extremely interesting and rewarding – not to mention busy! While I am still “wet behind the ears” in my new job, I don’t believe it is too early to say that my early impression of the work carried out by ASF, NBSC and all of its affiliates is that there truly is strength in numbers.
After a year in which anglers and conservationists were encouraged by the relative strength in Atlantic salmon returns, I must say that I am most encouraged by the absolute strength in the number of dedicated people in New Brunswick who pour their hearts into the protection of our rivers and the native fish species that inhabit them. My new role has afforded me the opportunity to begin seeing just how much remarkable work is being done in New Brunswick by the various affiliates of the NB Salmon Council (NBSC) and ASF – work that includes the relentless pursuit of downstream smolt and kelt passage on the Tobique and Saint John rivers, the enactment of immediate measures with government agencies and other NGO’s to address the unsettling discovery of smallmouth bass in Miramichi Lake, not to mention the countless programs designed to improve habitat, assess salmon populations and educate our youth.
So far, I have been fortunate to meet a great deal of folks from various organizations in the province. With each new conversation comes a deeper understanding of how all the pieces fit together between ASF and the affiliates of the NBSC. The promise of healthy salmon populations depends upon the combined and collaborative effort of ASF and each and every affiliate of its regional councils. While I have yet to meet and speak with all of the affiliates, I look forward to continuing along this path of fostering relationships with the members of the NBSC in 2009. Each organization has its unique areas of expertise and challenges. One of my objectives for the coming year is to find opportunities for affiliates to learn from and assist each other, building an even greater strength in numbers.
Another 2009 objective is to ensure that ASF’s Fish Friends program continues to run smoothly in NB. Fish Friends provides children the opportunity to literally get their hands and feet wet in learning about wild Atlantic salmon, their habitat and the importance of being a steward for both. This program relies on the involvement of many volunteers throughout the province working in concert with teachers, students and ASF. Hopefully, children that are inspired by this program will become members of our local watershed groups in the years to come. Here, too, strength in numbers is both a cause and an effect.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone in the NB Salmon Council and at ASF for being very supportive as I ramp up in this position. I would like to make special mention of the gracious assistance and insight I have received from my predecessors – Danny Bird and Trish Edwards in these first few months.
Geoff Giffin
NBSC Regional Director