David Scott

Raincoast biologist David Scott is focussed on understanding juvenile salmon life histories in the Fraser Estuary to facilitate habitat restoration, salmon recovery and better management. Dave is also a PhD student in the Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at the University of British Columbia where he studies under highly renowned salmon researcher Dr. Scott Hinch. Learn more.

https://www.raincoast.org/team/david-scott/

Raincoast updates

Salmon habitat restored on Sea Island
2025 November 242026 April 14

Marsh is vital habitat for salmon and we aim to help restore it in the Fraser River estuary.

Read More Salmon habitat restored on Sea Island
Raincoast updates

Habitat restoration occurring in the Woods Island Marsh in the Fraser River Estuary
2025 February 32025 December 18

We are restoring marsh habitats to improve conditions for juvenile salmon and other wildlife.

Read More Habitat restoration occurring in the Woods Island Marsh in the Fraser River Estuary
Conservation updates

Construction is almost complete on our second breach in the North Arm jetty
2023 December 182026 August 13

We are nearing the completion of construction of our second breach in the North Arm jetty to restore fish passage for juvenile salmon.

Read More Construction is almost complete on our second breach in the North Arm jetty
Conservation updates

Construction starts this week!
2023 November 222025 December 15

This week, we are starting the construction of a second breach in the North Arm jetty.

Read More Construction starts this week!
Notes from the field

Connectivity restoration in the Fraser River Estuary continues to show results
2022 July 42025 December 15

This work is part of our Fraser River Connectivity Project, our five-year restoration project to create openings in several of the man-made barriers in the Fraser Estuary that prevent the natural migration of juvenile salmon.

Read More Connectivity restoration in the Fraser River Estuary continues to show results
Conservation updates

Another jetty, another breach project
2022 March 92026 August 13

The project we are undertaking is to create a breach in the North Arm jetty

Read More Another jetty, another breach project
Tracking Raincoast

100 years later: Reconnecting the Fraser River with its estuary
2021 December 272026 August 13

As we move into 2022, our Fraser River Estuary restoration efforts move towards the next target, the North Arm jetty. In late 2021, we finished our Coastal Restoration Fund project, a five year multi-million dollar initiative to restore connectivity between the main arm of the Fraser River and the marsh on Lulu Island’s Sturgeon Bank….

Read More 100 years later: Reconnecting the Fraser River with its estuary
Notes from the field

Our first restoration project is complete!
2021 October 272025 December 15

This project has been the largest connectivity restoration project in the Fraser estuary in decades.

Read More Our first restoration project is complete!
Notes from the field

Monitoring an active restoration project… in a pandemic
2020 September 152025 December 15

Just as we were getting excited about starting our field season to monitor the effectiveness of Raincoast’s Fraser Estuary Connectivity Project, conditions with the pandemic began to get serious and we realized our plans had to change…

Read More Monitoring an active restoration project… in a pandemic
Investigate and inform

Approval of Trans Mountain expansion puts Fraser River salmon and Salish Sea estuaries at risk
2019 July 92026 August 21

The Fraser River in British Columbia remains one of the world’s most productive salmon rivers. Equally significant is the Fraser River’s estuary, which serves as vital habitat for fish, bird, and mammal species that are linked across thousands of kilometers of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. All Fraser River populations of salmon…

Read More Approval of Trans Mountain expansion puts Fraser River salmon and Salish Sea estuaries at risk
Conservation updates

Great news: juvenile salmon moving through habitats reconnected after 100 years
2019 June 192026 August 13

Since the removal of sections of the Steveston jetty in February, we have been sampling our new jetty ‘breaches’ and have consistently caught juvenile salmon moving through them! This is a huge success and was realized just weeks after…

Read More Great news: juvenile salmon moving through habitats reconnected after 100 years
Notes from the field

Breaking new estuary ground on the Steveston Jetty
2019 February 272026 August 13

When we began our research in the Fraser estuary in 2016, the presence of multiple barriers, including the Steveston Jetty, became a significant concern. With the announcement of the Coastal Restoration Fund in 2017, an opportunity to begin addressing these barriers appeared…

Read More Breaking new estuary ground on the Steveston Jetty