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Helijet supports Pacific Salmon Foundation

“Helijet has been a proud supporter of PSF for the last 15 years,” said Danny Sitnam, president and CEO of Helijet. “Like many other British Columbians, we depend on the beauty and natural resources of BC’s coast for the longevity of our business, which is linked to the success of our fishing lodge clients and the satisfaction of their guests.

“If we don’t do our part to help protect salmon stocks and our West Coast environment, it will impact all of us,” continued Sitnam. “Our company benefits from the recreational fishing sector, but doing our part to help maintain the overall well-being of coastal BC is also the right thing to do.”
 
The partnership will generate an annual donation based on the number of one-way flights sold on Helijet’s scheduled passenger service routes between Vancouver and Nanaimo harbours. Helijet explains the program could see annual donations reach $24,000 per year.
 
“Helijet has sponsored PSF’s fundraising dinners for well over a decade,” said Michael Meneer, executive vice president of PSF. “We were thrilled when Helijet president Danny Sitnam said that they wanted to step up their commitment. The result is this unique partnership that will raise money for Pacific salmon, and help us significantly reduce costs, by donating chopper time to our Chinook restoration program in Rivers Inlet, BC, with the Wuikinuxv First Nation.”
 
This September, Helijet donated a helicopter and pilot for an egg-take on the Chuckwalla and Kilbella rivers in Rivers Inlet. The company explains eggs and milt were collected from returning Chinook in both rivers and flown to the Percy Walkus Hatchery also in Rivers Inlet. The fertilized eggs, explains Helijet, will become approximately 130,000 salmon fry that will be released back into the rivers to enhance those stocks. The rivers were identified as a top priority by a steering committee dedicated to Rivers Inlet recovery.
 
“As a life-long advocate of environmental stewardship, with a passion for salmon conservation, it’s inspiring to see a company like Helijet support projects that contribute to the restoration of our wild salmon population,” said Rick Hansen, Founder and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation.
 
To help spread awareness of PSF’s work, the PSF logo will be emblazoned on Helijet’s fleet of courtesy vehicles and on a brand-new Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. “Apart from the importance of raising funds, this is also a great opportunity for PSF to generate awareness among potential new donors and supporters,” Sitnam said. “Many of our customers who fly between Vancouver and Vancouver Island are anglers or government workers who are uniquely positioned to make a difference for salmon.”