Paul Kariya, was appointed the new Executive Director of the Pacific Salmon Foundation on April 2, 2002, bringing extensive experience to further the goal of salmon conservation, protection, and restoration.

Kariya's experience in the BC fishery dates back to childhood in Ucluelet where he helped his father, a commercial fisherman and a founding member of the Ucluelet Fishing Company, on their troller. With firsthand knowledge of the issues being faced by fishing communities on the West Coast, Kariya's professional career has included various positions within the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the BC Treaty Commission and, most recently, Fisheries Renewal BC.