A ‘Pink Mystery’ — Cortes Island sees pink salmon in record numbers in local waterways

A ‘Pink Mystery’ — Cortes Island sees pink salmon in record numbers in local waterways

Cortes Island is seeing Pink Salmon in three waterways for the first time in eight years. Longtime ‘Streamkeeper’ Christine Robinson has only seen pink salmon swimming on Cortes twice in the 20 years she has been observing the fish with her partner. Streamkeepers is a volunteer group of citizen fish scientists observing local streams. They are associated with the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). “This is a delight and a surprise to discover that we have them showing up all along the east side of Cortes”, Robinson cheered. The DFO even asked the local citizen science group to help collect clipped fins from the Pink adult carcasses for DNA sampling, to find answers as to why the Pink Salmon populations are increasing in the region. “The Streamkeepers, through the prompting of [Department of} Fisheries, took DNA samples ..because we are trying to make some sense of this ‘Pink Mystery’ that is upon us.” Robinson said. Robinson referred to research actively being collected by Alexandra Morton about why the Pink are showing up in larger numbers and new places. “She is proposing that since the fish farms in the Discovery Islands… were pulled out a year and half ago …such healthy pink salmon is because they haven’t been exposed to the fish farms [that were previously] in the area.” Robinson explained. In an issue which may be related, Pacific Salmon Commission is forecasting 11.6 million Pink Salmon in the Fraser River, several million more than originally forecast.  Robinson encourages quiet, respectful observations of the pink salmon migration on the island. “We have a wildlife safari here on Cortes”, she says. To...
Boat builder looks to share unique skills with community

Boat builder looks to share unique skills with community

Pierre Belcourt and his wife Therese have lived on Cortes for almost 40 years, but this month is the first time they have attended the Friday Market. As a boat builder, Belcourt explained his social motivation to share his skills in blade sharpening with the local community. “We’ve been here…39 years now, but we hardly know anybody anymore,” he said. “They’re either left the island, gone crazy, or died.” Belcourt has worked as a carpenter for movie sets like Xmen III, Tron 2, Paycheck, and The Watchmen. He has built custom homes, like a German style home with local artist/builder Volker Steigman. But his most extensive work with his hands has been boat building. He has rebuilt a Baltic sloop and the first New York 30 by Nat Herreshoff from 1905. He has crafted dory skiffs and a 30 foot wooden oyster boat. Through his work, he explains why sharp tools are so important for the craft. “You have to keep your chisels and planes, draw shaves, adze-all those things sharp to cut wood, to slice wood, not to butcher it.” Several market-goers approached Belcourt while CKTZ observed, most with a variety of dull edges in hand. Belcourt says he’s happy to sharpen just about anything. “Chainsaws, shears, scissors, knives, wood chisels, wood planes, blades… ” Though sharpening tools may seem simple, the benefits for the Belcourts have gone beyond the dollars earned, they say. “It’s a good excuse to see people I haven’t seen in a long time,” Pierre said. The Belcourts will continue their skill-share at the Friday Market, hoping to connect with their community in the...