Leader in revolutionary study on coho release, Dr. Saksida resigns
Campbell River Courier Islander, January 17, 2014
The person in the lead of a unique study on coho salmon survival in the Salish Sea has resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences in Campbell River.
"Dr. Sonja Saksida has been instrumental to accessing funding and scientific expertise. The plankton surveys are recognized throughout DFO and are changing the way that we try to predict hatchery coho survival, based on the food availability during their first weeks at sea," said Quinsam Hatchery Manager Dave Ewart. "She has earned universal respect in the aquaculture industry and is a true advocate for wild fish."
BC CAHS Board President, Dr. Jim Brackett, acknowledge the outstanding contribution Sonja has made to the growth and financial stability of BC CAHS during her four-year tenure:
"Dr. Saksida was appointed CEO at a time when the organization was young and developing," he said. "Sonja and her team have developed BC CAHS into a recognized authority on marine environmental sustainability through management of wild and farmed fish interaction and disease management."
BC CAHS now employs 11 fulltime staff and has an annual budget of $1.2 million.
World class diagnostic procedures developed by Dr. Saksida and her team have put BC CAHS on the map as experts on fish health issues including sea lice, BKD (bacterial kidney disease), IHN (infectious hematopoietic necrosis disease) and Kudoa thyrsites.
"As a non-profit organization, financial success means we are able to give back to the community by developing new strategies to enhance the health of hatchery fish," said Dr. Saksida.
"The greatest reward of my work with BC CAHS is our partnership with the Quinsam hatchery. Our plankton surveys have helped us understand optimal fish release timing; we have also been involved in determining the incidence of BKD and other fish health issues as well as providing key support to the vibrio vaccination trial in hopes it will increase the ocean survival of our coho salmon."
Reference Links:
News Release: Announcement of Resignation of CEO
BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, January 14, 2014
Campbell River, BC – January 14, 2014 – The Board of the British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (BC CAHS) would like to announce that Dr. Sonja Saksida will resign as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of May 1st, 2014. In making this announcement, Board President, Jim Brackett, acknowledges the outstanding contribution Sonja has made to the growth and financial stability of BC CAHS during her four-year tenure:
http://bccahs.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/announcement-of-resignation-of-ceo/
BC Centre for Aquatic Health Current Postings
Chief Executive Officer BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences
British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (BC CAHS) invites applicants for the position of Chief Executive Officer.
http://www.cahs-bc.ca/current-postings
