Staff

Executive Director

Emily Orr

A former 2nd generation commercial fish harvester, Emily was welcomed into a livelihood of fishing by her father, a dedicated advocate for commercial fish harvesters and sustainable fisheries himself. Emily ultimately enjoyed skippering the family prawn boat before shifting entirely to land-based fisheries work.
Coexistence of robust, sustainable fisheries alongside thoughtful management of marine ecosystems is the resolute goal that defines Emily’s purpose over the 27 years-and-counting that she’s worked within the dynamic landscape of fisheries and the marine planning sector.
Adjacent roles and appointments that compliment Emily’s position with TBuck include Business Agent for the United Fishermen & Allied Workers’ Union, Vice President - Pacific for the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters’ Federation, President of the West Coast Prawn Harvesters’ Council, and Chair of the Groundfish Development Authority.

Project Developer

Alaina Pyde

Alaina’s passion for the marine environment and coast began as a kid, she has fond memories of visiting family in Prince Rupert during the summers. Ultimately this is what led her to receive a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of New Brunswick where she has done independent research specifically within the lobster fishery. She also has field experience in the Pacific Northwest as she is a certified at sea observer, completing four dungeness crab biosampling trips in Hecate Strait, and observing the Skeena Sockeye gillnet fishery for the last three seasons.

Alaina aims to help bridge the fishing industry with the academic sector by integrating harvesters' firsthand knowledge and deep understanding of the ocean into scientific research and discourse. This is highlighted within our Ocean Acidification Monitoring project which Alaina oversees.

Communications Manager

Amie Armet

Raised on Vancouver Island, Amie’s experiences exploring the coastline, forests, and mountains instilled a lifelong connection with nature that continues to inspire her work and life. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Vancouver Island University and a B.Ed. from Western University, and brings over a decade of experience in marine science education and the nonprofit sector.

Amie has dedicated much of her career to marine science education and community engagement, leading programs that deepen understanding of ocean life, sustainability, and coastal ecosystems.

As Communications Manager, she’s passionate about sharing the stories of coastal communities and fostering appreciation for sustainable fisheries and ocean stewardship.

Board

President

John Stevens

John has fished for 52 years, primarily for salmon and herring. He has also harvested halibut, shrimp, crab and oolichan. He is a longtime member of the United Fishermen Allied Workers Union; he is also currently the president of the Delta Fishing Heritage Society, and vice president of the Ladner Fishermens’ Co-op Hall.

Vice President

Jon Crofts

Jon is a Fishmonger operating Codfather’s Seafood in Kelowna BC. He is involved in the local culinary scene, supplying restaurants and supporting culinary events. Jon represents Slow Fish in Canada, where he has concentrated on promoting diversity in fisheries, mitigating waste and promoting the value chain to benefit small scale fishers. He has taken part in presentations and panels in Europe and across North America. Jon is also a member of the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

Secretary-Treasurer

Guy Johnston

Guy has been fishing the BC coast for over 40 years. He has worked in many fisheries, but currently harvests prawns and trolls for salmon in the north and inside waters, which he sells through a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) for 10 years. He sits on the General Executive of the Fishermen’s Union, the Prawn Industry Caucus as well as the Area H harvest committee.

Board Member

Des Nobels

Des started fishing in the mid-1970s as a deckhand on salmon and halibut boats after coming to the B.C. coast to take a break from school. He never left and, after a decade on the water, bought his own boat and actively fished until retiring in 2007. Since, he has worked as a representative for fishermen pushing for community-based, socially responsible, sustainable fisheries as a member of our board, as chair of the Coastal Community Network of B.C. and the Friends of Wild Salmon. He is the elected representative of the Mainland North Coast (area A) of the North Coast Regional District.

Board Member

Henry Clifton

Henry Clifton is a lifelong fisherman from the Gitga’at Nation in Hartley Bay, 145 km south of Prince Rupert. He began fishing with his family as a young child and was working as a skiffman by age 11. Deeply rooted in his community and its marine traditions, Henry is a strong advocate for rebuilding a commercial fishing industry that supports local economies, culture, and future generations.

Board Member

Duncan Cameron

Duncan Cameron is a third-generation BC fisherman working to carry on his family’s long tradition on the water. Like many young harvesters, he has been outspoken about the rising cost of licenses and quota that are pricing independent owner-operators out of the industry. Duncan is part of a growing movement of fishers and advocates calling for policy reforms to keep fisheries accessible, sustainable, and rooted in coastal communities.

Board Member

Kim Olsen

Kim Olsen is a long-standing leader in BC’s commercial fishing sector and a dedicated advocate for independent harvesters. He serves on the UFAWU-Unifor General Executive Board for GN Area C and the Area C Harvest Committee, and is a past president of UFAWU-Unifor. Kim has been a prominent voice in national discussions on salmon policy, raising concerns about government inaction, corporate consolidation, and the barriers facing young harvesters entering the industry.

Special Advisors

Paul Kandt

Paul Kandt is a veteran Fraser River gillnetter, former T. Buck Suzuki Foundation director, and long-time streamkeeper. He has coordinated community-based salmon and habitat restoration projects through the Community Fisheries Development Centre and helped lead stormwater and stream-protection initiatives in the Lower Mainland. Paul has represented harvesters on the Commercial Salmon Advisory Board for Area E and now serves on the Harrison Hot Springs Environmental Advisory Committee, working with local streamkeepers on restoration and stewardship efforts

Arnie Nagy

Arnie is a member of the Haida Nation and a descendant of Chief Weah. His Haida name is Tlaatsgaa Chiin Kiljuu, which means strong salmon voice. Arnie was born into a fishing family of activists in the UFAWU and he followed suit. He spent 37 years in the fishing industry and spent over 30 years in environmental advocacy. Arnie now works as an aboriginal advocate in Prince Rupert and still maintains a very close tie to the fishing industry and TBuck campaigns.

Alan Haig-Brown

Alan Haig-Brown is a Canadian writer and photographer whose work has helped document and defend the stories of coastal people, working fisheries, and marine heritage for more than five decades. Raised in Campbell River and the son of conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown, Alan developed an early understanding of the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of fisheries to BC communities.

Chelsey Ellis

Chelsey Ellis is a commercial fisher, biologist, and industry representative originally from Prince Edward Island. With over 15 years of experience on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, she works with the Area A Crab Association and the BC Salmon Marketing Council. Chelsey is also a photographer whose work captures the landscapes, people, and action of working fisheries across coastal Canada.