As students return to school, some students are preparing to tackle the challenges of climate change, environmental health and the future of freshwater fisheries in British Columbia. To support their endeavours, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has awarded scholarships to four students whose commitment to their academic pursuits combined with hands-on experience stood out last year.
Anders Battiston, Kyle Chartier and Christy Hunter each received $1,500 scholarships to advance their academic pursuits at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The fourth scholarship was awarded to Vancouver Island University student Aramis St-Gelais.
“The awarding of these scholarships is very positive for our organization as we see people building a career in freshwater fisheries with the goal of making a difference. Their work will contribute to innovative solutions to conservation challenges,” says Tammy Longbottom, Director of Human Resources at the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. “Quality candidates continue to enter the field, and that is reflected in the high calibre of applicants to the program.”
Since 2008, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has awarded $91,500 in scholarships to 56 students at various levels of post-secondary study. The scholarships recognize outstanding commitment to academic pursuits in the field of freshwater fisheries and are available to students enrolled in fish culture or natural resource management programs within a recognized post-secondary education institution in British Columbia. Applicants must have completed at least their first year of post-secondary studies and plan to continue as a student, with the intent of establishing a career in B.C. Students at all levels of post-secondary study were eligible.
Scholarship Information2024 Scholarship Recipients
Anders Battiston

Growing up in Burnaby, B.C., Anders Battiston has spent time in the outdoors as long as he can remember. From a young age he took a particular interest in fish and fisheries.
“Camping and fishing with my family every summer developed into a lifelong passion for fishing,” says Battiston. “As I enter my fourth year of the ecological restoration program at BCIT, I’ve gained so much knowledge of the complexities of our waterways in B.C. and the importance they have to the entire ecosystem.”
The last four summers, Battiston worked at fishing lodges along the coast, spanning from northern Vancouver Island to Langara Island at the northern tip of Haida Gwaii. Being exposed to these beautiful and wild areas has strengthened his love for the outdoors and his passion to protect it.
Working with the Society as an Outreach Instructor at Summerland Trout Hatchery in 2023 gave Battiston insight into the Society and the work it does. Going forward in his career, he plans to work in a hatchery setting to contribute to the protection and enhancement of our natural resources to assure a stable ecosystem for years to come.
Christy Hunter

Growing up in Mission surrounded by forest, activities with her adventurous family taught Hunter to appreciate the outdoors and from an early age she knew she wanted to work outside. High school sparked her interest in science which then turned into a love for environmental science in university. Her love for science grew at the B.C. Institute of Technology where she completed a Diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation and learned about the intricacies of how animals and the land work together. For two summers while she was earning her diploma, she worked at the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Center.
“Working at the center opened my eyes to working with species at risk and how important it is that we not only help the species but also their environment,” says Hunter. “My life goal is to give a voice to our endangered species and help them thrive even when the odds are stacked against them.”
In pursuit of this goal, Hunter is studying to complete a Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration. The Freshwater Fisheries Society scholarship will support her studies during her final year in the program at BCIT. After completing her degree, she plans to embark on a career in restoring and maintaining habitats for endangered animals.
Kyle Chartier

Born and raised in South Surrey, Kyle Chartier has always been passionate about fish, wildlife, and environmental sciences. His experiences, including close encounters with orcas, snorkeling with wild salmon, and volunteering at local hatcheries, inspired him to enroll in BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Diploma program. As he prepares to start his second year, Kyle values the program’s hands-on approach to natural resource management and wildlife biology, particularly enjoying salmon habitat stream surveys with his class.
“The abundance of biodiversity and the significance of wild fish stocks in B.C. make a career in the environmental industry a dream come true. It’s hard to imagine a job more interesting and enjoyable than managing and monitoring fish and natural resources all day,” says Chartier.
During the summer break between semesters, Kyle worked as a Junior Fish Culture Technician at the Kootenay Trout Hatchery to gain further experience in fisheries management. After earning his diploma, he plans to work in the field before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Northern British Columbia.
The scholarship from the Freshwater Fisheries Society will support his upcoming school field trips with BCIT, where he will gain multiple certifications during two full weeks of hands-on experience with his peers in inland B.C. and on the coast of Vancouver Island.
Aramis St-Gelais

Aramis St-Gelais grew up on Salt Spring Island, where he developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. In high school, he volunteered in Mike Deroos’ whale skeleton articulation workshop, helping to complete several projects, including orca, humpback, and Baird’s beaked whales.
Aramis St-Gelais’ commitment to science-based solutions has earned him a $1,500 scholarship to further his studies at Vancouver Island University.
Following graduation, Aramis’ passions led him to the Maritimes, where he earned a degree in biology at Mount Allison University. During his studies, Aramis attended the Global Skills Opportunity Galapagos field school, a program that provided him with hands-on experience with fisheries management and conservation strategies.
During the summer of 2024, Aramis worked as an assistant in Dr. Litvak’s aquatic lab at Mount Allison University. There, he cared for short-nosed sturgeon and tilapia and was involved in research on the cryopreservation of fish sperm. Aramis hopes these techniques will one day be used to maintain genetic diversity in at-risk fish species.
“I firmly believe that scientists are accountable for the outcomes of their research and that they have a moral obligation to society regarding environmental stewardship,” says St-Gelais. “With this goal in mind I plan to one day serve on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) subcommittee for freshwater fish. I hope my contributions to their science-based approach will help ensure freshwater fish survival and habitat preservation is a priority in Canada.”
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC was created in 2003 as a not-for-profit organization, funded mainly through freshwater fishing licence revenues. In partnership with the Province, the Society annually stocks six million trout, char and kokanee in 800 B.C. lakes. It also manages special hatchery programs for endangered species including white sturgeon, conducts fisheries research, education and conservation programs, and works to make angling more accessible for all.
Media contact
Tammy Longbottom, Director, Human Resources
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC