a protocol agreement signed in 2002 with pacific national aquaculture (now mainstream canada) provides access to ahousaht traditional marine territory for the siting of salmon farms in exchange for employment opportunities, tenure fees and environmental monitoring and management improvements. opportunities for farming indigenous species (e.g., chinook) are being examined. the aquaculture industry provides 60 to 70 jobs annually for the nation. a very important note of merit goes to albert frank sr. of ahousaht. in 2009, he became the top performer for all of mainstream's operations (in fish husbandry) worldwide, raising the bar and proving the worth of local knowledge in finfish aquaculture operations.