The Sea to Sky Corridor's member of parliament (MP) is looking to lure federal cash for fish habitat.
In spring Ottawa announced it was dedicating $10 million over two years toward restoring fish habitat. John Weston set his bait after meeting with the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable last week.
"Our group has an application together," he said following the July 9 gathering at Totem Hall in Squamish.
Over the past four years the group, comprised of fisheries' experts and advocates, has tackled some big issues, Weston said. The organization's request for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to look into the missing sockeye salmon stocks, helped push the Cohen Commission, he noted.
Next on its plate the group will request that the federal government to move forward recommendations resulting from a report on closed-containment salmon aquaculture.
"The government must now respond to those recommendations," Weston said. "We'll be pushing for the government to take them seriously."
Besides the study's suggestions, Weston is backing a proposal to create a centre of excellence for the practice at Powell River. The fisheries group has a long list of action items, Weston said.
"What we are trying to do is get practical, measurable results," he added.
Weston believes the group saw the fruits of its labour when the federal government handed the Pacific Salmon Foundation the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Stamp kitty, equating to approximately $1 million annually.
The environment and the economy go hand in hand, Weston said. Planning and commitment can allow for both to prosper, he said.
"We need to look at them as Siamese twins," he said.
