Restoration
River restoration and enhancement of critical estuarine salmonid habitat are of utmost priority to the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. We work with Redd Fish Restoration Society and Coastal Restoration society on a number of habitat restoration and management projects within ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii.
Watershed Restoration
We work with Redd Fish Restoration Society to restore and enhance the watersheds in ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii. Through this partnership, we have worked on the Atleo, Bedwell, Moyeha, Anderson, and Atapq rivers. We are working together to develop a series of watershed-level restoration plans. To learn more about this restoration work, check out the 2022-2024 ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Haḥuułii Restoration Plan below.
European Green Crab Control Project
In partnership with the Coastal Restoration Society (CRS), ʕaḥuusʔatḥ members are working to reduce the impacts of invasive European Green Crabs in our waters.
European Green crab (Carcinus maenas) is an invasive species that is well established in Clayoquot Sound, and has been found from Alaska to California. European green crabs (EGC) outcompete native crabs for food, destroy shellfish beds, consume clams, mussels, and other crabs, and disrupt eelgrass beds, which are important rearing habitats for juvenile fish species.
By working with CRS, we are gathering information on existing EGC distributions within ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii, and exploring options of EGC management and control. There are currently two ʕaḥuusʔatḥ members working with CRS full time on this project. This project will also monitor the condition of eelgrass beds prior to, during, and after EGC removal. This will provide insight into how EGC distribution and abundance impacts juvenile fish habitat within ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii.
We encourage ʕaḥuusʔatḥ musčim to join MHSS and CRS on their weekly crabbing expeditions. Within ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii, CRS traps crabs in the huuʔinmitis and waʔuus estuaries. If you are interested in joining MHSS and CRS, please contact Gemma, gemma@mhssahousaht.ca
Clean Coast Clean Waters Initiative
MHSS is proud to partner with Coastal Restoration Society, neighbouring Nations and other NGOs to help remove anthropogenic debris, ghost gear and derelict vessels and vehicles from ʕaḥuusʔatḥ beaches and waters.
