Director's Note

I first came to the Broughton Archipelago in October 1984 while following the matriarch orca, Scimitar, and fell in love with the place at first sight. My late husband, Robin Morton, and I were looking for a place with whales, children, and calm waters. Echo Bay had all this and more. And, like every biologist who goes into the field and stays there, I too have ended up working to keep this place alive.

Massive corporate fish farms proved too much for the Broughton Archipelago ecosystem and warning signs began flashing. The resident fish-eating orca abandoned the area, toxic algae blooms became common, and Atlantic salmon turned up in these Pacific rivers. The final blow came when the plague of sea lice began. I needed help.

In 2003 I invited a young researcher, Martin Krkosek, to join me in research on sea lice and to stay at the home I built with Eric Nelson. Marty’s field assistant, Brendan Connors, also decided to conduct his own graduate research here, and soon the house was overflowing with graduate students.

Then the miracle happened. Sarah Haney bought the place and asked me to run it as a research station. Sarah has upgraded the place to accommodate about 20 people.

The Salmon Coast Field Station strives to live lightly upon the land. We are off the grid, using predominately solar and micro-hydro power. We grow an abundant, organic, northwest garden to feed us.

As the Director, I review all project applications that propose use of the station. To receive our support, research must help guide policy-makers to the decisions that will allow this ecosystem to revive and prosper. Also, research conducted here must respect the welfare of the animals involved. We support researchers with these kinds of projects by offering affordable facilities. This way, those who might not otherwise be able to afford a field season are able to conduct their projects here in a field environment.

Salmon Coast also strives to support the local community. We are situated within the micro-community of Echo Bay and we hire locally as much as possible. As well, for as long as the Echo Bay Primary School existed, Salmon Coast researchers became involved with contributing to the children’s experience in this one-room Echo Bay school; participating in presentations and playing soccer weekly. This was significant to a school so small that the children could not form two teams.

Because the Broughton Archipelago is so gentle and rich in life, it once supported one of the largest pre-agriculture civilizations on Earth. We want to see that richness continue. Sarah and I hope that you who long to study a complex wilderness environment will come to Salmon Coast and explore habitats as diverse as deep inlet sea beds, alpine meadows, and all that thrives in between.