Language selection

Search

British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund: annual results summary (2023-2024) — year 5 report

British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund: annual results summary (2023-2024) — year 5 report
(PDF, 2.7 MB)

Table of contents

Acknowledgement

The British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) recognizes that the efforts of its funding recipients span numerous traditional territories of First Nations.

We honour the deep-rooted knowledge and stewardship that Indigenous Peoples bring to these lands. With heartfelt gratitude, we pay respect to those whose territories we work upon, live in, and serve.

Introduction

The British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) is a collaborative grants and contribution program and partnership between the federal-provincial governments.

BCSRIF plays a crucial role in supporting wild Pacific salmon recovery and the sustainability and modernization of British Columbia’s fish and seafood sector. Administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BCSRIF provides funding to a diverse range of B.C.-based recipients, including: Indigenous organizations, commercial and recreational angling organizations, environmental non- governmental organizations, academic institutions and stewardship groups through two overlapping phases to date.

Phases of strategic investment in salmon recovery:

  1. B.C. salmon ecosystem support (Phase 1)
    Canada’s Fisheries Funds, 2019–24: Investments strengthened salmon resilience through habitat restoration, stock and ecosystem monitoring, and developments in sustainable fisheries.
  2. Program expansion (Phase 2)
    Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, 2021–26: Provided continuity to high impact project successes from Phase 1, further prioritizing strengthening climate resilience, advancing Indigenous leadership, and fostering coordinated salmon recovery efforts across BC.

Across both phases, BCSRIF has sustained strategic investments in its three foundational pillars—Innovation, Infrastructure, and Science Partnerships—advancing salmon recovery by driving technological innovation in monitoring, strengthening environmental and research infrastructure, and supporting collaborative science to inform adaptive, evidence-based management.

The 2023–24 Annual Results Report presents BCSRIF’s Year 5 outcomes, highlighting key socio-economic and ecological impacts from both active and completed projects. Results reflect contributions from both program phases and are based on internal analysis and annual recipient reported results. The report captures on-the-ground achievements and benefits, helping to demonstrate BCSRIF’s alignment with federal and provincial priorities over time, and ongoing contributions to salmon recovery and fisheries sustainability.

Section 1: Key mandates and priorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada mandates and priorities

BCSRIF supports the Government of Canada’s priorities for the fish and seafood sector, as outlined in the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean’s mandate letter and commitments. Operating under the Integrated Fish and Seafood Sector Contribution Management Framework, BCSRIF aligns with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) core responsibility to manage fisheries sustainably. BCSRIF also prioritizes initiatives that address climate change impacts, restore at-risk stocks, invest in carbon-absorbing coastal habitats, and advance Indigenous leadership, connecting Indigenous Knowledge, fisheries science and collaborative stewardship.

Through these efforts, BCSRIF contributes to federal objectives by ensuring projects are in alignment with one or more of the following objectives:

  1. Enhancing sustainability, productivity and competitiveness in the fish and seafood sector;
  2. Building resilience to climate and ecosystem impacts;
  3. Promoting Canadian fish and seafood products as global-leaders in quality and sustainability.

Canada’s fish and seafood sector is adapting to global competition and rising consumer demand for sustainably sourced, high-quality products, with innovation driven by programs like BCSRIF to meet evolving market access requirements.

The 2023–24 Annual Results Report highlights Year 5 outcomes, showcasing the program’s alignment with government priorities and its measurable socio-economic and ecological impacts.

Province of British Columbia mandates and priorities

During these times of uncertainty, the Government of British Columbia (BC) is committed to investing in the people of our province, and the health of the animal species and ecosystems that we depend on. As such, it is vital that we continue to support the health of wild Pacific salmon species and the restoration of our natural environment to provide opportunities for British Columbians, the communities that rely on these resources, and the economic benefit they bring when managed in a sustainable and responsible way.

The Province of British Columbia remains dedicated to the principles of BCSRIF. We value our natural environment for the ecosystem services, cultural significance, and the wealth of economic opportunities it provides. Through our Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) mandate we are committed to restoring estuaries, inter-tidal zones, and critical salmon spawning habitats. BCSRIF continues to be our main avenue for funding our efforts to restore salmon populations, improve watershed security and lead on our Coastal Marine Strategy. The WLRS mandate and Service Plan continues to emphasize our support for reconciliation and partnerships with First Nations to effectively steward the water, land and natural resources of BC.

We are enacting a transformation of this management and stewardship, together with First Nations, to build a co-developed land and resource management regime. BCSRIF contributes towards this transformation through the restoration and monitoring of vitally important areas of the Province. BCSRIF aligns with the WLRS mandate commitments to the ongoing implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and commits to work with First Nations to identify and protect critical ecosystems. The partnerships that have been developed through BCSRIF, and the projects that have been supported, are key to strengthening employment opportunities and innovation in First Nations and rural and coastal communities, to support advancing reconciliation, and to protecting salmon and aquatic habitat.

Program overview

Governance and structure

The British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) operates under a collaborative governance framework involving federal and provincial partners. This structure ensures strategic alignment, effective program delivery, and accountability across all levels. The following outlines the key roles and responsibilities of the Minister, governance committees, and the BCSRIF Secretariat in overseeing and implementing the program.

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Canadian Coast Guard: Oversees fish and seafood sector priorities. Ultimately approves BCSRIF strategic funding priorities and joint funding recommendations.

BCSRIF Steering Committee: Co-chaired by DFO Deputy Minister and BC WLRS Deputy Minister. Reviews and approves strategic funding priorities and joint funding recommendations.

BCSRIF Management Committee: Co-chaired by DFO Pacific Regional Director General and BC WLRS Assistant Deputy Minister. Reviews and approves BCSRIF strategic funding priorities, joint funding recommendations, and program business as advanced by the DFO-BC joint operations committee.

DFO-BC Joint Operations Committee: Co-chaired by BCSRIF DFO Director and BC WLRS Executive Director. Develop strategic funding priorities and joint funding recommendations.

BCSRIF Secretariat: The BCSRIF Secretariat (DFO) oversees program implementation, financial management, and stakeholder engagement. The Director ratifies contribution agreements and provides strategic direction; the Agreements Team handles funding logistics and recipient interactions; the Partnerships and Outreach Team manages applicant engagement and technical coordination; and the Integrated Reporting Team analyzes recipient reporting for program outcomes.

Timeline, funding commitments and key trends

BCSRIF has experienced significant upwards trends in funding demands and allocations:

Demonstrating demand:

Process improvements and outcomes:

Fund utilization:

Joint focus:

Overall, BCSRIF has conducted 3 application intakes, received 457 applications for $878 million, and has allocated available funds while remaining adaptive and dynamic to meet rising demand.

Figure 1: BCSRIF program milestones from open date to agreements close date, 2019 to 2026
(All figures are accurate at time of publication)
diagram showing program milestones
Long text version

Figure 1: BCSRIF program milestones from open date to agreements close date, 2019 to 2026

(All figures are accurate at time of publication)

March 2019 - BCSRIF program launch
Intake 1, April 2019 to March 2024

Phase 1: fisheries fund

  • 42 agreements ratified
  • $71.3M funds allocated

Intake 2, September 2020 to March 2024

Phase 1: fisheries fund

  • 55 agreements ratified
  • $57.25M funds allocated

  • ($56.5M + .75M amendments)

Intake 3, Novmeber 2021 to March 2026

Phase 2: PSSI funds

  • 73 agreements ratified
  • $128.55M funds allocated

Funding distribution across pillars

Recipient profile diversity

BCSRIF’s broad eligibility approach has enabled a wide range of organizations to contribute to Pacific salmon recovery. Indigenous organizations represent 40% of recipients, embedding Indigenous Knowledge, stewardship values, and community priorities into restoration and conservation outcomes. Environmental NGOs, industry, academia, stewardship groups, and municipalities also lead conservation, research, and community engagement, further contributing to the program's success across the 3 pillars.

Figure 2: BCSRIF funding by recipient profile, 2019 to 2024
diagram showing division of funding across various recipient groups
Long text version

Figure 2: BCSRIF funding by recipient profile, 2019-24

BCSRIF funding by recipient profile, 2019 to 2024

Indigenous - 40%

ENGO - 35%

Academia - 9%

Industry - 9%

Stewardship - 6%

Strategic investment across BC

Between 2019 and 2024, BCSRIF ratified agreements across its three pillars—innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships—with projects implemented throughout BC.

Innovation ($101M, 55 projects)

Projects have developed cutting-edge tools such as digital licensing apps, Artificial Intelligence for salmon escapement monitoring, sustainable fishing gear, and novel habitat restoration techniques.

Infrastructure ($78M, 56 projects)

Investments have strengthened environmental infrastructure, including salmon habitat restoration and upgrades to research facilities and equipment.

Science Partnerships ($78M, 59 projects)

Collaborations with academic and research institutions have expanded scientific knowledge and best practices through peer-reviewed studies and technical publications.

Section 3: Project results - 2023 to 2024 year in review

Significant on-the-ground results were reported across both phases of the program, which operated concurrently during the 2023–24 fiscal year (March–April).

Of the 143 Active Projects in 2023–24:

The 2023-24 year represents an important milestone for BCSRIF in phases 1 and 2 and for all of the funded projects and their collaborators. With projects in various stages of delivery as well as BCSRIF monitoring in full swing (desktop, field and financial), program and project initiatives continue to build momentum, laying a strong foundation for long-term ecological and economic benefits across British Columbia.

Figure 3: BCSRIF 2023 to 2024 year in review - active projects
diagram showing division of funding across various recipient groups
Long text version

Figure 3: BCSRIF 2023 to 2024 year in review - active projects

  • 143 projects
  • 85% supporting pacific salmon
  • $53,983,016 in funding allocated to pacific salmon projects

* Two more phase 2 projects started in 2024-25, increasing the total to 73, with outcomes to be reported in next year's annual results.

Project results - Featured outcomes by pillar

The 2023–24 outcomes, aligned with strategic pillars, showcase broad ecological benefits and the far-reaching impact of cross-sector collaboration. Key project examples selected help to demonstrate the diversity of these efforts and results:

Investing in innovation

Combining community mapping with geospatial technologies and Indigenous Knowledge systems in their project (218), First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund Society focused on enhancing the capacity to monitor and manage wild salmon habitats in First Nations communities. This innovative work will continue to inform long-term conservation strategies for at-risk salmon species in the Kispiox River, Okanagan River, and Lower Fraser.

Advancing new technologies

Cascadia Seaweed Corp (201) developed FishCam and computer vision technology for high-temporal resolution marine biodiversity monitoring. The project gathered 2.7 million fish observations over 16 months. These advancements in technology have reduced data gaps and will continue to inform long-term conservation strategies for a range of fish taxa including salmon and forage fish such as Pacific herring.

The UBC Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (092) studied ecosystem shifts caused by climate change, enhancing understanding of the implications of food availability for out-migrating juvenile salmon in the Salish Sea. Through development of innovative analytical tools, BC researchers are advancing insights into changes in the abundance and distribution of salmon prey.

Project results - Featured outcomes by species of focus

Healthy wild fish stocks are vital to BC’s coastal communities, with strong economic and cultural value. Sustaining species like salmon, sablefish, and rockfish requires tactical investment and collaborative efforts on habitat restoration, fishing sustainability research and populations studies to ensure long-term ecological and economic resilience for BCSRIF species of focus. *The metrics for 'projects by species' are cumulative, covering the period from 2019 to 2024.

Salmon

Objective: To enhance the recovery and maintenance of healthy and diverse salmon populations.

Groundfish

Objective: To further improve the scientific understanding and sustainability of these fisheries, ensuring that groundfish populations remain healthy and productive.

BCSRIF invests in innovative and sustainable approaches to fisheries and aquaculture, including advancements in kelp and shellfish sectors. Featured projects reflect efforts towards long-term ecological resilience and viability of key marine industries in British Columbia.

Kelp

Objective: Improved sustainability of the aquaculture industry to ensure the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems and wild fish populations.

Shellfish

Objective: Support activities related to the fish and seafood harvesting, processing and aquaculture sectors in BC.

BCSRIF fosters innovation and collaboration to protect ecologically and culturally significant species and ecosystems while safeguarding against aquatic invasive species in collaboration with Indigenous partners stakeholders.

Pelagics

Objective: Investigate numerous elements of pelagic ecology, including food web interactions and cultural connections.

Aquatic invasive species

Objective: Focus on innovative methods to detect, monitor and control AIS, contributing to the broader goal of ecosystem health and resilience.

Project results - Social and economic outcomes

Jobs

In the 2023-24 period, BCSRIF provided support to more than 1,800 individuals through paid employment, aiding project outcomes that bolster the BC salmon recovery economy. This marks the highest annual number of individuals compensated in BCSRIF's history, showcasing the peak implementation phase of various projects.

Figure 4: Recipient-reported BCSRIF supported jobs, by year
graph showing number of jobs
Long text version

Figure 4: Recipient-reported BCSRIF supported jobs, by year

year 2019 to 2020: 240 jobs

year 2020 to 2021: 510 jobs

year 2021 to 2022: 921 jobs

year 2022 to 2023: 975 jobs

year 2023 to 2024: 1862 jobs

Workforce development

In 2023-24, 1,446 individuals (82%) received specialized training toward building skills in new technologies and practices that support habitat restoration, environmental science, and project management, strengthening BC’s salmon recovery workforce, up from 711 people in 2022-23.

Community engagement

Complementing workforce development efforts, BCSRIF-funded initiatives also report results on efforts towards community engagement and outreach.

In 2023–24, BCSRIF-funded projects facilitated 368 workshops and outreach events, engaging over 7,500 participants—both in-person and virtual. This broad participation highlights deepening engagement as well as public interest in salmon stewardship, environmental education, and the advancement of fisheries and environmental science.

Together, these initiatives highlight the critical role of a skilled workforce, scientific innovation, and informed community engagement in driving successful salmon recovery. 

Project results - Demographics and GBA+

Since 2021, BCSRIF has integrated Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) metrics into recipient annual report templates to gather metrics for understanding project team demographics and approaches and support inclusivity. The GBA+ analytical tool assesses trends and barriers related to gender, ethnicity, age, and geography. Notable participation increases reported for 2023–24 include women (79 to 136), Indigenous Peoples (69 to 107), and a tripling of 2SLGBTQ+ participants (12 to 40).

Figure 5: BCSRIF supported jobs by GBA+ demographic, 2019 to 2024
graph showing number of jobs by GBA+ demographics
Long text version

Number of jobs across GBA+ demographics that were supported by BCSRIF

Year 2021 to 2022
  • 79 women
  • 69 Indigenous peoples
  • 12 2SLGBTQ+ Community Members
  • 25 from Minority Groups
  • 32 Seniors
  • 5 Veterans
  • 41 Students or Youth
  • 4 People of Diverse Abilities
  • 16 New Canadians
Year 2022 to 2023
  • 67 women
  • 58 Indigenous peoples
  • 16 2SLGBTQ+ Community Members
  • 25 from Minority Groups
  • 25 Seniors
  • 4 Veterans
  • 32 Students or Youth
  • 3 People of Diverse Abilities
  • 13 New Canadians
Year 2023 to 2024
  • 136 women
  • 107 Indigenous peoples
  • 40 2SLGBTQ+ Community Members
  • 39 from Minority Groups
  • 39 Seniors
  • 39 Veterans
  • 69 Students or Youth
  • 11 People of Diverse Abilities
  • 25 New Canadians

Indigenous participation in BCSRIF (2023-24)

Indigenous engagement in BCSRIF continues to be a key strength, with 44% of the 143 active projects in 2023–24 led by Indigenous organizations. Additionally, 76% of all active projects reported direct support from Indigenous partners.

Capacity-building efforts also expanded significantly. Nearly 600 Indigenous individuals received training in 2023–24, more than doubling the previous year’s total of approximately 270. Training focused on critical areas such as environmental monitoring, habitat restoration, and sustainable fisheries management—skills essential to long-term salmon recovery.

These outcomes are reinforced by Phase 2 refinement to BCSRIF’s contribution agreements, which now include more robust discussions on Indigenous Knowledge (IK) collection and stewardship with agreement clauses that prioritize planning and clarity around IK inclusion. Together, these efforts reflect BCSRIF’s commitment to supporting Indigenous leadership, advancing technical capacity, to support collaborative stewardship of BC’s aquatic ecosystems.

Project results - Ecological outcomes

To assess ecological outcomes and overall program performance, BCSRIF asks recipient organizations to report on project results that contribute to fisheries rebuilding, species at risk recovery, wild salmon conservation, and fish habitat restoration. These outcomes are measured through a set of ecological performance metrics that reflect the scope and impact of funded initiatives.

It is important to note that while these metrics provide valuable insight into program effectiveness, variations in data collection methods and reporting standards among recipients may influence how results are interpreted and applied. Despite these differences, the aggregated data reported by BCSRIF recipients offers a meaningful snapshot of the program’s contributions to aquatic ecosystem health and salmon recovery efforts across British Columbia.

Highlights of key ecological outcomes reported by BCSRIF (2023–24):

Project results - Ecological outcomes and key priorities

Salmon habitat restoration

Over $110 million (40% of total funding) has supported 57 projects which include estuary and freshwater habitat (aquatic, riparian) restoration, barrier removals, as well as watershed and climate resiliency planning.

BCSRIF funding recipients report over 8.4 million m2 of salmon habitat restored and/or reopened to salmon access by 2023-24. In addition, European Green Crab aquatic invasive species trapping control was undertaken in select estuaries off of the West Coast of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. These restoration and mitigation efforts are best supported by ongoing monitoring for efficacy.

Figure 6: Fish habitat performance measures
graphic representing total area of restored or reopened salmon habitat
Long text version

Figure 6: Fish habitat performance measures

Total area of restored salmon habitat and/or habitat reopened to salmon access is made up of riparian habitat and aquatic habitat.

Over 8.4 million square metres of salmon habitat was restored or reopened for fish access by 2023-24.

Salmon stock monitoring

BCSRIF supports salmon stock monitoring priorities through infrastructure enhancement and data collection to assist recipients in assessing and analyzing local salmon populations in an effort to strengthen science-based ecosystem and fisheries management.

Sustainable fishing innovation

Projects include Indigenous-operated pound net feasibility, real-time bycatch monitoring in groundfish trawl fisheries, and studies on Fishing-Related Incidental Mortality (FRIM) in recreational fisheries. These initiatives inform more sustainable practices across commercial, recreational, and Indigenous fisheries.

Project outcomes - Scientific research

Science and research are integral to many of the initiatives supported by BCSRIF. In 2023–24, 62 projects, representing 43% of all funded initiatives, included components focused on academic study and scientific research.

These research-oriented projects collectively produced 153 publications or publicly released datasets. Since the program’s inception in 2019, BCSRIF-funded projects have generated a cumulative total of 225 publications and datasets.

In addition to supporting academic outputs, BCSRIF also funds projects that contribute directly to fisheries science and management. Over half of all BCSRIF-supported projects involve scientific modelling, simulation studies, or data collection efforts that inform fisheries management systems and frameworks. These include activities such as stock assessments, recovery planning, evaluations of salmon fitness, and advanced techniques like eDNA and DNA testing.

Through these efforts, BCSRIF continues to play a vital role in advancing evidence-based approaches to the sustainable management of British Columbia’s fisheries resources.

Section 4: Looking ahead

The BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund has achieved significant milestones throughout the inception and implementation of its first phase, including obtaining approval for a concurrent second phase. Reflecting on the achievements made in the initial five years, BCSRIF demonstrates a model that is effective, relevant, and impactful, featuring an innovative structure that has been refined over time and remains responsive to recipient and stakeholder feedback.

Section 5: Appendices

Appendix 1 - List of active BCSRIF funded projects

Project title Recipient organization Pillar Funding allocation
Fishing BC App: Tidal Waters License Integration and Recreational Catch Monitoring and Data Collection Enhancements Project Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $714,445
Squamish Estuary Chinook Salmon Habitat Restoration Project Squamish River Watershed Society Infrastructure $1,089,320
San Juan and Gordon Rivers – Salmon Estuarine Habitat Restoration Pacheedaht First Nation Infrastructure $3,255,606
Aeromonas salmonicida Genome Sequencing and qPCR Test Development Kwantlen Polytechnic University Innovation $278,272
South Coast European Green Crab Control Project - Phase 2 (SC EGC CP-P2) Coastal Restoration Society Infrastructure $1,866,605
Salmon Recovery – advancing planning and action Pacific Salmon Foundation Innovation $4,513,980
Meziadin River Up-looking Hydroacoustic Sockeye Smolt Enumeration Project Gitanyow Fisheries Authority Innovation $749,585
Bute Inlet Salmon Viability Strategy Xwemalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation Science partnerships $775,225
Research in support of Sarita Chinook as an Ecological Indicator and WCVI Chinook Salmon Rebuilding Huu-ay-aht First Nations Science partnerships $1,662,046
First Nations led salmon habitat and population monitoring, research and cumulative effects assessment in the Lower Fraser River and Boundary Bay Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association Innovation $2,222,120
Chinook Salmon Assessments and WCVI Chinook Salmon Rebuilding in the Kaouk and Artlish Watersheds Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’ h’ First Nation Science partnerships $976,813
NEWSS-Salmon Habitat Recovery Projects Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society Innovation $1,500,000
ʔaayaaqa (Herring) Herring Spawn Dynamics Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Science partnerships $575,960
British Columbia Kelp-Encrusting Bryozoan (BC KEB) University of Victoria Science partnerships $948,794
Digital Imaging of Wild Coho Returns to the Lillooet River Conservation Unit Lil’wat First Nation Science partnerships $694,491
Genetic monitoring of Kokanee- sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) hybrid fitness and long term outcomes associated with an experimental re-introduction program University of British Columbia Science partnerships $218,350
Selective Fishing Using a Salmon Trap in the Campbell River Estuary A-Tlegay Fisheries Society Innovation $1,143,116
Chemainus-Koksilah Twinned Watershed Salmon Sustainability Project- Phase 2 Halalt First Nation Innovation $1,217,814
Clayoquot Pacific Salmon Recovery Initiative Redd Fish Restoration Society Innovation $3,610,000
Estimating aggregate Coho salmon escapement to the Lower Fraser Management Unit Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance Society Infrastructure $543,840
Campbell River Estuary Salt Marsh and Eelgrass Restoration Discovery Coast Greenways Land Trust Infrastructure $1,932,064
TFN Fish Trap – Capacity Building, Communications and Operations 2023-26 Tsawwassen First Nation Innovation $810,062
Determining the mechanisms of impacts of a changing climate on zooplankton in the Salish Sea using models and observations University of British Columbia Science partnerships $253,963
Basin-scale Events to Coastal Impacts (BECI) North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) Science partnerships $1,154,750
Identifying and mitigating hot spots of salmon exposure to toxic road runoff University of British Columbia Science partnerships $1,747,809
Watershed Futures Initiative: Towards climate resilience of salmon watersheds Simon Fraser University Innovation $1,254,022
Restoration of salmon habitat at Cultus Lake, BC: a Green Shores® demonstration project SCBC Stewardship Centre for BC Innovation $531,674
Thompson-Shuswap Salmon Habitat Assessment, Monitoring and Restoration Program (2023-26) Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Society Innovation $1,306,000
10,000 Wetlands Project The B.C. Wildlife Federation Innovation $1,538,703
Skeena River Fish Trap Project Lax Kw’alaams Business Development LP. Infrastructure $2,272,760
Management strategy evaluation for bottom contact fisheries with assessments of sensitive benthic habitats Wild Canadian Sablefish Ltd. Innovation $257,400
Resilient Waters Phase 3: Restoration and Research for Salmon and Flood Resilience in the Lower Fraser Watershed MakeWay Charitable Society Infrastructure $3,613,173
Farmland Advantage: Scaling the Implementation of Riparian Restoration Investment Agriculture Foundation British Columbia Infrastructure $3,000,000
Lower Adams Habitat Restoration Initiative (LAHRI) Little Shuswap Lake Band Innovation $1,884,333
Strait of Georgia Herring: Restoring the Salmon Food Web Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $3,722,499
Restoring Fraser River Estuary Salmon Habitat (ReFRESH) Ducks Unlimited Canada Innovation $5,000,000
Development of High-resolution Climate Change Freshwater Hazard Data for BC Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium Science partnerships $558,355
Tsecmenúl̓ecwem-kt (We Repair the Land) - Deadman Recovery and Resiliency Initiative Skeetchestn Indian Band Innovation $4,000,000
Charting a Path for Coastal First Nations’ Community Salmon Enhancement Initiatives Great Bear Initiative Society Innovation $1,959,302
Mitigating Inputs of Tire Wear Toxins to Protect Salmonid Habitat on Vancouver Island British Columbia Conservation Foundation Innovation $2,293,016
Mapping, monitoring and restoring important forage fish habitats in Coastal British Columbia to support salmon conservation efforts. Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Science partnerships $1,402,754
Evaluating climate change scenarios for the Quesnel Watershed to determine flood, fire and temperature risks posed to Upper Fraser salmon stocks. University of Northern British Columbia Infrastructure $5,000,000
Supporting and connecting community-based monitoring for climate-resilient salmon ecosystems Pacific Salmon Foundation Innovation $3,997,861
The Sablefish Solution University of Victoria Science partnerships $378,070
Oolichan From Estuary to Offshore: Assessment of Early Marine Populations and Limiting Factors of Central Coast Oolichan (Eulachon: Thaleichthys pacificus) in Douglas Channel and Gardner Canal Ecofish Research Ltd. Science partnerships $1,213,354
Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool/Solutions for Gold River Steelhead Nootka Sound Watershed Society Infrastructure $1,165,470
Portage Creek Chinook Salmon Recovery Program St'át'imc Government Services (SGS) Science partnerships $810,467
Establishing a long-term strategy for understanding and mitigating the impacts of the European Green Crab invasion on Haida Gwaii Secretariat of the Haida Nation Science partnerships $3,016,571
Post Flood Support for Fish and Fish Habitat Recovery in the Nicola Watershed Scw’exmx Tribal Council Infrastructure $5,309,810
Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative (CRSRI): Bringing the Salmon Home Okanagan Nation Alliance Innovation $5,273,138
Restoring freshwater connectivity for Pacific salmon Canadian Wildlife Federation Infrastructure $2,288,035
Mitigating the Effects of the Invasive European Green Crab on the Central Coast of BC Heiltsuk Tribal Council Science partnerships $1,423,750
Empirically resolving interspecific competition experienced by North Pacific salmon in the open ocean University of British Columbia Innovation $186,450
Investigation of water acidification and habitat on imprinting and homing in Pacific salmon University of British Columbia Science partnerships $541,750
Fish Passage Restoration in Gitksan Territory Skeena Fisheries Commission Innovation $677,300
Resilient Estuaries in the Salish Sea: Phase Two (Baseline Assessments and Ground- truthing) SeaChange Marine Conservation Society Innovation $1,160,085
Shellfish Aquaculture Sustainability Enhancement Program B.C. Shellfish Grower's Association Infrastructure $1,000,000
Towards food security: restoring salmon and their habitat Wet'suwet'en Treaty Office Society Science partnerships $565,000
Colquitz River Salmonid Restoration and Monitoring Project Peninsula Streams Society Infrastructure $250,000
Establishing baselines, risks, and mechanisms of thiamine deficiency in British Columbia Chinook salmon University of British Columbia Innovation $545,151
Highway 16 and CN Corridor Stranding Remediation/Willow Creek Arch Culvert/Mid-Scully Creek Spawning Gravel Addition. Kitsumkalum Indian Band Infrastructure $888,261
Nanwakolas 50 Watersheds Project Nanwakolas Council Society Science partnerships $2,875,000
Identifying factors that influence early marine survival of WCVI Chinook salmon Pacific Salmon Foundation Innovation $1,150,000
Enhancing Estuary Resilience: A Collaborative Approach to the Monitoring and Restoration of Estuaries with Coastal First Nations Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC) Innovation $3,493,975
Supporting B.C.’s Kelp Industry and Enabling Coastal Restoration and Research by Increasing Hatchery Seed Supply West Coast Kelp Ltd. Infrastructure $92,434
Xá:y Syí́:ts’emí́lep: Gill Bar Restoration and Management Plan Stó:lo Service Agency Innovation $1,513,649
Chilako River and Tributary Stream Corridor Restoration Demonstration Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Innovation $3,250,000
Analysis of forestry effects on Pacific salmon in Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw territory and across coastal BC. Salmon Coast Field Station Society Science partnerships $1,519,522
Gwa’sala ‘Nakwaxda-xw Fully- Integrated Salmon Habitat Restoration Project (GNN-FISHR) Gwa’sala ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations Infrastructure $873,215
Boundary Bay Chinook salmon restoration in the TA’TALU watershed A Rocha Canada Science partnerships $535,388
Establishing a Test Fishery for Chinook Salmon in key areas of the BC Coast Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Science partnerships $1,573,653
FRIM – Short term mortality holding and respirometry studies Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Science partnerships $1,724,644
Informed Approaches to Determine Bottlenecks to Survival for Chinook and Coho Salmon and Steelhead Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $5,096,359

Appendix 2 - List of closed BCSRIF funded projects

Project title Recipient organization Pillar Funding allocation
Elaho River Chinook Salmon Restoration Squamish River Watershed Society Infrastructure $522,486
Electronic Application for Enhanced Selective Fishing and Bycatch Avoidance Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society Innovation $600,000
Creation of Salmon Conservation Facility Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society Infrastructure $216,349
Enhancing rockfish recovery through citizen science, outreach and field experiments University of Victoria Science partnerships $758,780
Development of North Island wet lab capacity to investigate wild/farm salmon interaction and stock restoration Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society Innovation $742,443
Innovative Habitat Restoration Demonstration British Columbia Conservation Foundation Innovation $4,952,373
Historical review and Indigenous engagement to increase efficacy of, and Indigenous participation in the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). National Indigenous Fisheries Institute Science partnerships $355,095
Determination of Bottlenecks Limiting Wild and Enhanced Juvenile Salmon and Steelhead Production in BC using PIT tags and Spatially Comprehensive Arrays Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $4,619,877
Enhancing Estuary Resiliency: An Innovative Approach to Sustaining Fish and Fish Habitat in a Changing Climate Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC) Innovation $8,552,415
Empowering Indigenous community fisheries with deep learning - computer vision for adaptive management of terminal salmon fisheries Pacific Salmon Foundation Innovation $410,300
Enhancing Sustainability of capture and release marine recreational Pacific salmon fisheries using new tools/technology University of British Columbia Science partnerships $1,938,002
Improving Sustainability of British Columbia's Commercial Spot Prawn Fishery and Prawn Stocks Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association Science partnerships $117,996
Elephant Hill Fire Riparian Restoration Project Secwepemcul’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society Infrastructure $2,629,833
Plateau Fire Recovery – Riparian Plant Collection and Planting for Restoration of Chinook and Coho Salmon Habitat in the Nazko Area Baker Creek Enhancement Society Infrastructure $750,000
Place-based Risk of Climate Change to Sustainability of BC Wild and Hatchery-origin Salmon Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium Science partnerships $1,025,000
Upper Fraser Chinook Strategic Enhancement Project Spruce City Wildlife Association Infrastructure $240,362
Inkaneep Creek Restoration Osoyoos Indian Band Infrastructure $360,283
Optimizing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems for Sustainable Salmon Production University of British Columbia Innovation $1,829,490
Drivers of Inter-annual variability in Zooplankton Feeding in the Strait of Georgia: A combined model-observation approach University of British Columbia Science partnerships $165,000
Seymour Watershed Restoration Project Seymour Salmonid Society Infrastructure $618,844
Upper Adams Salmon Restoration Program Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB) Science partnerships $2,521,181
Broughton wild salmon restoration project 'Namgis First Nation Innovation $4,220,529
Independent BC First Nations Genomics Lab Project - Phase 1 'Namgis First Nation Infrastructure $50,560
Phase 2: Independent First Nations' Genomic Lab for BC 'Namgis First Nation Infrastructure $1,977,828
Implementation of the Broughton First Nations Indigenous Monitoring and Inspection Plan 'Namgis First Nation Infrastructure $7,349,000
Percy Walkus Hatchery Upgrade Pacific Salmon Foundation Infrastructure $336,895
Assessment of forage fish populations and their habitats to support enhanced conservation of chinook salmon Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Science partnerships $321,779
Chilliwack Coho PIT Tag Escapement Project Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance Society Innovation $679,690
Resilient Waters Project: Phase 1 MakeWay Charitable Society Infrastructure $598,756
Millstream Fishway Project Peninsula Streams Society Infrastructure $300,000
Partnership for a novel framework for assessing and managing Pacific Herring fisheries on the West Coast of Vancouver Island Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Innovation $390,500
Cowichan River Salmon Restoration program - Sustainable Water Supply - Engineering Cowichan Valley Regional District Infrastructure $2,999,218
Science-based review of hatchery results in the DFO Pacific Region Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $1,083,498
BC Fish Passage Joint Venture Canadian Wildlife Federation Science partnerships $3,999,721
Kitwanga River Sockeye Salmon Recovery Plan Implementation Gitanyow Fisheries Authority Science partnerships $867,020
Bear River Autonomous Salmon Enumeration Skeena Fisheries Commission Science partnerships $402,439
Promotion of Habitat Restoration and Stewardship on Agricultural Lands in the BC BCCA Program Delivery Inc Innovation $550,000
IYS: International Pan-Pacific Salmon Expedition (2021) North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission Science partnerships $3,305,457
BC Fishing App Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $910,500
Vision 2021 Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $700,879
Winter Salmon Survey in the Gulf of Alaska Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $650,000
The Fermentative production of Microalgae as food for juvenile bivalves in BC Seed Science Ltd Innovation $475,492
Shellfish aquaculture strategic renewal program B.C. Shellfish Grower's Association Innovation $3,500,000
Evaluation of coastal kelp farms as novel habitat for migrating salmonids and their prey Cascadia Seaweed Corp Infrastructure $1,886,046
Kingfisher Intake Restoration Kingfisher Interpretive Centre Society Infrastructure $43,396
Chapman Creek Hatchery water supply and capacity upgrades Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society Infrastructure $70,000
Seymour Hatchery Infrastructure Renewal Seymour Salmonid Society Infrastructure $80,410
Modernizing catch reporting in Canada's Pacific Region Salmon Fisheries Archipelago Marine Research Ltd Innovation $317,557
A-Tlegay Kelp Production and Restoration A-Tlegay Fisheries Society Infrastructure $171,713
Mitigating impacts of the European Green Crab invasion on Haida Gwaii Secretariat of the Haida Nation Science partnerships $2,796,887
Chemainus/Koksilah Twinned Watershed Sustainability Project Cowichan Tribes Science partnerships $1,370,332
Developing a cumulative effects modelling framework for the recovery of aquatic salmonid populations University of British Columbia Science partnerships $253,610
UAV Habitat Mapping to Inform wild Salmon Stewardship First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund Society Innovation $2,478,221
Skeena Estuary Habitat Management and Protection Planning North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society Innovation $2,334,024
Ecosystem Management of kelp forest North Pacific Kelp Wild Foods Inc. Science partnerships $99,999
South Coast European Green Crab Control Coastal Restoration Society Science partnerships $3,534,340
Supporting West Coast Oyster Industry Development Through Expansion of Nursery Seed Supply Nova Harvest Ltd Infrastructure $210,000
Selective Fishing Using a Salmon Trap Tsawwassen First Nation Infrastructure $875,325
Highway 16 corridor fish stranding Kitsumkalum Indian Band Infrastructure $213,032
Babine Lake Creel Survey Lake Babine Nation Science partnerships $372,951
Development and establishment of Vancouver Island Salmon Committee Island Marine Aquatic Working Group Innovation $397,540
Landslide impact on the flow dynamics, fish migration and genetics of Fraser River Salmon Simon Fraser University Science partnerships $3,566,728
Assessment of sampling methodologies, March 2022 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $308,000
Causes and consequences of vateritic otoliths in hatchery- reared Coho salmon University of Victoria Science partnerships $512,458
Climate Action Priorities for Salmon Pacific Salmon Foundation Innovation $3,270,151
Clayoquot Wild Chinook Salmon Initiative Central Westcoast Forest Society Infrastructure $792,782
First Nations-led Freshwater Salmon Habitat Assessment and Restoration Planning in the Central Coast Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance Society (CCIRA) Innovation $2,747,628
Kleanza Creek Salmon Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Project Kitselas First Nation Infrastructure $561,335
Applying Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Productivity, Economic Stability and Environmental Performance of Oyster Culture Mariculture Limited Partnership Infrastructure $558,015
Aquaculture Opportunities and Sustainability Survey Gwabalis Fisheries Society Innovation $107,167
Exploring Spatial Management Opportunities for Rockfish using Indigenous Knowledge and Subtidal Surveys Ha'oom Fisheries Society Science partnerships $202,500
Understanding FRIM in the BC Public Fishery Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $205,916
Modernizing Recreational Catch Monitoring, Data Collection and Communication Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $343,750
Recreational Release Mortality Studies and Fishing Related Incidental Mortality (FRIM) Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Science partnerships $833,250
Fraser Salmon Management Program Fraser Salmon Management Council Science partnerships $400,000
Fraser River Estuary Salmon Habitat (FRESH) Restoration Projects Ducks Unlimited Canada Infrastructure $4,781,409
Conservation Fishing - A First Nations Demonstration Selective Fishing in the Lower Fraser River Harrison Salmon Producers LLP Infrastructure $789,200
SFAB Vision - Phased Implementation Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia Innovation $453,324
Salmon River Collaborative Salmonid Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Initiative Yucwmenlucwu (Caretakers of the Land) Splatsin Development Corporation Science partnerships $208,289
MakeWay - Resilient Waters Lower Fraser Valley Rehabilitation MakeWay Charitable Society Infrastructure $2,686,479
Wuikinuxv Assessment and Restoration of Rivers Inlet Salmon Wuikinuxv Nation Science partnerships $543,374
Supporting the Ongoing Use and Development of the Pacific Salmon Explorer Pacific Salmon Foundation Science partnerships $3,776,300
Selective Fishing Gear Pilot in the Fraser River Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance Society Infrastructure $1,293,613
Technology for more sustainable fisheries in BC T. Buck Suzuki Foundation Infrastructure $320,700
First Nations-led catch monitoring to inform sustainable mixed-stock fisheries management on the Central Coast Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance Society (CCIRA) Innovation $1,533,176
Collaborative Freshwater Research and Restoration Initiative in the Thompson Watershed Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Society Infrastructure $789,102
Nanaimo Hatchery Upgrades to Improve Hatchery Performance and Assessment and Monitoring Capabilities Nanaimo River Stewardship Society Infrastructure $1,030,431
Coastal First Nations Salmon Enhancement and Restoration Initiative Great Bear Initiative Society Infrastructure $2,826,811
Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool/Solutions for Gold River Steelhead Nootka Sound Watershed Society Infrastructure $324,953
Fish and Fish Habitat Survey for Finfish Aquaculture We Wai Kai First Nation Infrastructure $144,200
The application of nanopore technology for the rapid detection and characterization of pathogenic organisms in enhancement hatcheries Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society Science partnerships $306,000
Monitoring lipid content of Fraser-bound Chinook at Albion University of British Columbia Science partnerships $36,869
Deadman River Hatchery Upgrades Skeetchestn Indian Band Infrastructure $385,000
Rebuilding Wet'suwet'en Sockeye Salmon Abundance and Diversity Wet'suwet'en Treaty Office Society Science partnerships $848,160
Kus Kus Sum – Restoration of key habitat to re-establish ecosystem services that will support BC fisheries. K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) Infrastructure $1,712,652
Rehabilitation of Critical Infrastructure to Improve Survival of Thompson Steelhead and Chinook Scw’exmx Tribal Council Infrastructure $1,314,027
Kitwanga River Sockeye Salmon Enhancement Project Gitanyow Fisheries Authority Infrastructure $950,000
Date modified: