Coles Bay Project – W̱SÁNEĆ Territory

Project overview:

The W̱SÁNEĆ community are now unable to harvest shellfish in much of their home territory. They have, for many years, voiced their concern about the continued degradation of the marine habitat, the effects on their food supply and the wider health of the community. The W̱SÁNEĆ maintain that such effects constitute an unjustified infringement on their constitutionally protected right to fish as formerly as set out in the Douglas Treaty of 1852.

This project aims to respond to th​ese concerns by engaging community, non-profits, governments of all levels and First Nations in a collaborative approach to restore shellfish harvesting in a targeted site at Coles Bay, which is adjacent to BOḰEĆEN, one of the W̱SÁNEĆ communities.

 

Water quality monitoring at Coles Bay:

Recently, the Living Lab team tested water quality at Coles Bay, with the objective of beginning to consistently monitor the area for E. coli contamination, as well as other potential degradation that prevent shellfish harvesting. Below is Hayley, Living Lab Science Intern, testing water quality at the Bay.