Candace Picco: Uu-a-thluk Central Region Biologist
After eight years of working with non-profit societies focused on marine conservation, Candace Picco has joined the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council as the Central Region Biologist for Uu-a-thluk.
Working with Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht,Toquaht and YuułuʔiłʔatḥFirst Nations, Candace will support First Nations fisheries programs and assist with the developing T’aaq-wiihak fisheries.
While not born and raised on Vancouver Island, Candace isn’t far from home. She grew up near Kelowna in the Okanagan, on the same street where her father spent his childhood. Her mother is also a long-time Okanagan resident, raised in Armstrong.
After graduating with a degree in ecology and environmental biology from UBC, Candace spent some time in Asia travelling and teaching English. When she returned, she pursued her Master’s degree in Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her thesis looked at changes in the sea ice and how they impacted spotted seals.
Following her degrees, Candace did stints in Thailand working with undergraduate volunteers on sea turtle conservation projects. She also completed an advanced certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Her work with Vancouver non-profit societies included looking at sustainable fisheries, bycatch issues, and habitat impacts for organizations such as the World Wildlife Foundation, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecotrust, and Living Oceans Society.
Now based in Tofino with husband Brendan and daughter Violet, Candace is excited to work with First Nations communities that are leading the way towards well-managed, socially and environmentally responsible fisheries.
“I’m interested in getting to know the communities and the fishermen and seeing how the fishery operates. I also look forward to being on the water,” she said.
Candace is particularly excited to see the Atleo River restoration moving forward, one of the many projects she is helping to support this spring.
“This project has been a long time coming and this summer we’ll be on the ground making it happen,” she said.
To contact Candace, please call (250) 725-3899 or email Candace.Picco@nuuchahnulth.org
Danny O’Farrell: Uu-a-thluk Associate Biologist
Hired to fill the Associate Biologist position for one year, Danny O’Farrell joined the Uu-a-thluk team in March to assist with the developing T’aaq-wiihak fisheries. Based in the Central Region, O’Farrell will work with Candace Picco and other Uu-a-thluk team members to support biological and fisheries monitoring where required.
With a Master’s degree in Coastal Marine Management, O’Farrell is no stranger to fisheries work. He spent the last three years living in Iceland where he studied the impacts of climate change on Arctic char, Atlantic salmon and Sea trout as part of his degree from the University of Akureyri. Previously he also conducted salmon research in Bella Bella with the Heiltsuk First Nation. He also helped restore salmon habitat in Washington State in the Upper Columbia River, Ontario and New Brunswick through is work with LGL Limited.
With family roots tracing back to England, Ireland, and France, O’Farrell’s ancestors include the well-known English nature writer Richard Jefferies. On his father’s side, the O’Farrell clan originates from County Longford in Ireland and include among them many fishermen.
His grandmother, Georgette Melot, is descended from one of the first 16 families to come to Canada from France in the early 1600s and settle on St. Lawrence River in Quebec.
Pleased to be working with Uu-a-thluk for this one-year term, O’Farrell is looking forward to learning more about Nuu-chah-nulth culture.
“I’m excited to work on the Northwest Pacific, having spent a lot of time in the North Atlantic before this,” O’Farrell said. “I look forward to experiencing a different part of the ocean, especially in First Nations’ context.”
To contact Danny O’Farrell, please call 250- 266-0418 or email Daniel.O’Farrell@nuuchahnulth.org
