Save the Date for Vancouver Island Salmon Committee (VISC) Workshop Series - Phase 2

Contact
Anita Blakley, B.Sc., R.P.Bio.Senior Fisheries Biologist and Western Region Manager (co-chair)Mobile: 250-881-2941www.lgl.com<https://lgl.com/>

BC Conservation Foundation, Vancouver Island University, University of British Columbia, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the City of Vancouver) that will be hosting a two-day workshop in Nanaimo, BC on February 18 – 19, 2026. You have received this email invitation as you either attended a previous 6PPDQ Workshop in Nanaimo, expressed interest in doing so, or were identified by our project planning committee as someone this event would be applicable to (i.e., municipal planners, stormwater management staff, etc.). 
Join researchers, First Nations representatives, stewardship groups, engineers, and community practitioners for a two-day workshop on understanding and addressing tire wear toxicants—especially 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ)—in Pacific Northwest watersheds. The event brings together experts and on-the-ground leaders to share current science, community perspectives, and practical solutions for reducing contaminant impacts on salmon, trout, and freshwater ecosystems. Open to researchers, environmental professionals, community stewards, and decision-makers, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to regional efforts to reduce tire wear toxicants and protect aquatic ecosystems. 
Participants will gain an overview of emerging research, explore watershed challenges and collaborative opportunities, and hear from those advancing green stormwater infrastructure. Sessions will highlight new findings on 6PPDQ, reflections from watershed stewards, and innovations in mitigation design and monitoring. Day 2 includes an interactive breakout session to deepen discussion, build connections, and identify shared priorities and actionable next steps.

Save the Date for Vancouver Island Salmon Committee (VISC) Workshop Series - Phase 2

Contact
Anita Blakley, B.Sc., R.P.Bio.Senior Fisheries Biologist and Western Region Manager (co-chair)Mobile: 250-881-2941www.lgl.com<https://lgl.com/>

Agenda and Details coming later in the season.

The annual Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) State of the Pacific Ocean (SOPO) meeting will be convened at Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Conference Centre, March 4-5, 2026. The meeting will be a hybrid event such that online attendance and participation is possible. More info to follow.

This meeting provides an important opportunity for both DFO and non-DFO scientists to discuss the results of the most recent year’s monitoring off Canada’s west coast in the context of previous observations and expected future conditions. We will endeavor to have presentations that cover most aspects of BC's marine ecosystems, with a focus on long-term monitoring programs that can provide an update of the last year's conditions relative to past years. This usually provides for a full 2-day agenda. If there is interest in being considered for a presentation, we ask individuals to contact the organizer as soon as possible.

The 2025 SOPO report is published and available at  https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41298834.pdf

This email is being sent to a broad distribution list.  If you are not interested, please ignore.

Thank you,

Strahan Tucker, Stéphane Gauthier, Jennifer Jackson and Jennifer Boldt (co-chairs)

Elizabeth Joyce (organizer) 

Organizer:  StateOfThePacificOcean@gmail.com

More details to follow at a later date.

Save the Date for Vancouver Island Salmon Committee (VISC) Workshop Series - Phase 2

Contact
Anita Blakley, B.Sc., R.P.Bio.Senior Fisheries Biologist and Western Region Manager (co-chair)Mobile: 250-881-2941www.lgl.com<https://lgl.com/>

Date: April 2nd, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Format: Hybrid (In‑person location TBD + virtual option available)

Contact Jess Edwards for more info at jess@haoom.ca

Ha'oom's third annual virtual event to share and learn about some of the good work happening in the ha-ha-huułi (territories) of the Ahousaht Nation and the Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, and Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nations. Here we celebrate the good work conducted by the Nations, Ha’oom staff, Collaborators, and Partners.

REGISTER HERE: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/712be5da-9963-425f-a721-ac8a7f0c134e@c7476963-6d73-4695-8ad4-7e4e4d749919

2026 College Conference

The College’s 2026 Conference is on April 9-10, 2026 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC on the traditional lands of the of the Songhees Nation and the Xwsepsum Nation. Read on for more information about the speakers and panels.

Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the Conference through a live web broadcast. Details on registration for the virtual broadcast are below. Registrants who attend the Conference will be able to claim a maximum of 14 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. More information about CPD can be found here. Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 6, 2026.