the Oyster River and south of the
Salmon River Estuary and the
adjacent Mainland Coast"
About Us
Founded in 2007, the Campbell River Salmon Foundation is dedicated to funding projects that promote salmon enhancement on Vancouver Island north of the Oyster River, south of the Salmon River Estuary, and the adjacent mainland coast. Projects funded thus far have included stream and river habitat enhancement, plankton studies, and fish ladder construction.
Board Of Directors
Comprised of an experienced and knowledgeable group of working professionals and retirees, the Board of Directors of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation bring a credible resume of past salmon enhancement projects along with a unified and politically neutral mission of enhancing and restoring salmon and their habitat.
Kent A. Moeller, C.A.
Since 1976, Kent Moeller has enjoyed Campbell River and all it has to offer. An avid outdoorsman, when Kent isn't working as a Chartered Accountant in his own public practice, he can be found hunting, fishing or enjoying his hobby farm.
“I grew up in Campbell River and have seen the decline in recreational and commercial salmon fishing. I want to help restore fishing to the "glory days".
The 2004 recipient of the District of Campbell River’s Stewardship award for small business, and a member of the prestigious Tyee Club, Moeller has offered his accounting skills to the Discovery Coast Greenways Land Trust (Treasurer), the Tyee Club (Accountant), Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Society (Financial Consultant) and the Orford Hatchery (Auditor).
“I believe strongly in the dedication and commitment of Mike Gage and all the board members of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation and I want to help in any way that I can.”
Dale Blackburn
With a degree in Marine Biology and nearly 40 years of working in commercial fishing, fisheries development in third world countries and salmon farming, Dale Blackburn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation.
Now retired, Blackburn has lived in Campbell River for the past 21 years and enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, cooking and reading. He has been involved with several projects relating to gravel projects including the Marble River, the Oyster River and the fish ladder off the spawning channel on the Campbell River. Being hands on in his approach, Blackburn believes in supporting salmon in their environment and “working at the source”.
“I believe in the Campbell River Salmon Foundation and its mission, because it is a "locally based" organization, run by local people who know best the areas of concern and the most appropriate ways to address the issues at hand.”
Michael Moscovich, M.D.
Michael is a retired cardiologist who has lived in Campbell River for the past six years and enjoys spending his days Tyee fishing, golfing and woodworking.
A former director on the board of the Tyee Club, Moscovich decided to join the Campbell River Salmon Foundation after being motivated by friend, Mike Gage, and by the marked decrease in the salmon stocks and fish being caught both recreationally and commercially.
“The board of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation has individuals with knowledge and capabilities to do the most for Salmon enhancement and strongly believe together, we can make a difference.”
Kris Mailman
Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Kris is best known for his success in the construction industry where is has been building residential communities for over 25 years across Western Canada.
Born and raised in Campbell River, Kris, together with his wife Cheryl, have two children and two grandsons. Kris and Cheryl support many local charities and believe Campbell River truly is one of the best places in the world to raise a family and call home.
Although Kris never really stops working, he enjoys many outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, golfing and boating and he enjoys traveling. His passion for fishing and belief in the mission and goals of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, lead him to become Vice-Chairman of the organization.
Mark Gage
Born and raised in Campbell River, Mark works as a business consultant focused on mitigating environment and safety-related business risk for medium to large-sized government and industry organizations.
His interests in life include being a Dad, a fisherman, an outdoor enthusiast, and promoting improvement of the world around us.
Mark believes in putting action to ideas.
"The Campbell River Salmon Foundation has the experience and academic understanding that is needed to improve salmon habitat and improve returns of salmon to our local streams. I believe in a collaborative approach that brings fresh and diverse ideas forward with the goal of improving the management of fish stocks."
By contributing to salmon enhancement organizations Mark hopes the Campbell River Salmon Foundation can collectively focus effort and work towards improving the returns to the local streams.
"I believe the Campbell River Salmon Foundation will bring the right people to the table who collectively offer a depth of experience, a diversity of backgrounds, and a common passion to improve the salmon returns in our local streams."
Michael Gage
Living in the Campbell River area since 1962, Mike is now retired from a supervisory position in the forest industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead the Campbell River Salmon Foundation in the Chairman position.
His credits include Chairman of the Campbell River Gravel Committee, Chairman of the B.C. Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, and Board Member of the B.C. Georgia Basin Living Rivers Partnership and Steering Committee.
After being a volunteer fundraiser for several years, Mike wanted to form an organization which would have fundraising control over local rivers. His work includes successfully raising $285,000 for a 1.8 million dollar purchase of Baikie Island with the Nature Conservatory of Canada. Baikie Island represents one third of the shoreline of the Campbell River Estuary and 50% of the juvenile salmon habitat. Other credits include chairing the Campbell River Gravel Committee who constructed four kilometers of spawning channels and gravel pads in the Campbell River from 1995-2007. He also worked with BC Hydro to allocate funds for fish and wildlife restoration programs on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.
In his spare time he enjoys collecting old salmon fishing plugs, bird hunting and most importantly sport-fishing. The salmon stocks have been generous to Mike and his family over the last forty years and he believes in putting something back for future generations to enjoy.
Joe Painter
His parents were one of the founding families of Campbell River and one of the most important early members of the Tyee Club. From their invention of the Tyee Boat to their world renowned fishing resort Painter’s Lodge, for 71 years Joe has called Campbell River home and has honored his families heritage with his love of fishing and woodworking.
A retired teacher, Joe has spent all his life involved in the salmon industry and cares deeply about public education and enhancement of our local rivers and spawning grounds. A member of the Tyee Club and the Gravel committee, Joe is dedicated to continuing salmon enhancement projects through the Campbell River Salmon Foundation to ensure sustainability of our salmon population for future generations to enjoy and preserve.
Donald J. Bendickson
Calling Campbell River home since 1976, Donald is the owner and manger of several logging and real estate interests and enjoys boating, fishing, hunting aviation and travel.
A long time sport fisherman, Donald has seen the impact of habitat destruction and over fishing and joins the Campbell River Salmon Foundation with the goal to help rebuild salmon stocks and be part of a local group of people working to enhance the salmon population as well as and educate the community on the importance of maintaining healthy wildlife habitat.
William R. Fitzgerald
Working as a manager for a local Canadian Fishing Company, Bill, now semi retired, has made a good living from the wild salmon industry for almost 30 years.
"I have a deep regard for this core BC resource and for [salmon] preservation and enhancement."
While sitting on the board of directors of the Black Creek Advisory Committee, Bill was involved in the Headwater project and Pinks for the Pier project. He is excited about joining the board of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation because of the network of associations and people coming together to create awareness and enhance the habitat so that the future will remain bright for our local fisheries.
Living on the North Island for a number of years, Bill now resides in the Courtenay area and enjoys his acreage where he hobby farms.
George Stuart
A Campbell River resident for 48 years, George Stuart is a successful businessman and contractor and enjoys skiing, boating and fishing.
When Mike Gage approached him about joining in the creation of the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, George did not hesitate.
"I believe in the people involved in the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, [as well as the] enhancement initiatives coming through this organization that I would like to take part in."