Ecosystem Planning

Okanagan Basin Fisheries Ecosystem Planning

The COBTWG and BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management are embarking on a new long term fisheries planning process for the Okanagan and the Similkameen. 2003 and 2004 will be spent setting the stage for "Watershed-based Fish Sustainability Planning" (WFSP). WFSP is a process developed by DFO and provincial agencies to be fish focused and to identify and address watershed priorities by developing comprehensive watershed plans. Although the focus is on fisheries, the process does address the need to include water in planning and obtain support from non-fish interests. This year will be spent: compiling relevant reports; assessing the state of the basin for fisheries; developing an implementation plan for WFSP; and starting community consultations.