New Boss for Creative Salmon

Odd Grydeland Today's version of the Westerly News confirms speculation that Tim Rundle, who has been Creative's senior biologist for a number of years, will take over from Mr. Evans at the end of this month. "Tim knows the ins and outs of the company very, very well", Evans said to the paper. "I know he's going to do an excellent job". Tim Rundle has been a member of the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association's Technical Committee for years, and he has headed up a number of research projects related to the improvement of fish health and to the genetic improvement of their domestic Chinook salmon stocks. He is considered one of the credible veterans of salmon farming in British Columbia. "It will be up to Rundle to develop a relationship with the new Chief and Council of the (local) Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, in whose traditional territory the company operates", Evans told the Westerly News. Creative Salmon has had a mutually respectful relationship with the neighbouring First Nations, providing employment and business opportunities. The former Chief of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation joined 12 other native leaders in a fact-finding tour of Norway in 2005, taking in the AquaNor exhibition and visits to research facilities and aquaculture operations. A video from the trip can be seen on the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association web site. Tim Rundle officially takes over the reins of Creative Salmon June 01, although Evans will be in town to offer assistance until July 15, reports the paper. Creative Salmon has seven farm sites in Clayoquot Sound (on the west coast of Vancouver Island) and employs roughly 50 people directly. Their annual production - at 1,500 metric tonnes - represents about two per cent of the Province's finfish farming output. Picture text: Tim Rundle (center) checks out Creative Salmon's new electric fish stunner