FWCP Project Number: 16.ALU.04

Transcription

1 Experimental Release of Hatchery Reared Sea-Run Kokanee into Alouette Reservoir to Evaluate the Feasibility of Re-establishing Sockeye Salmon Run FWCP Project Number: 16.ALU.04 Prepared for: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Prepared by: Alouette River Management Society Sophie Smith and Greta Borick-Cunningham 2016 Prepared with financial support: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program on behalf of its program partners BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and the Public.

2 Table of Contents List of Figures... 3 List of Tables... 3 Executive Summary... 4 Introduction... 4 Goals and Objectives... 5 Location of Study Area... 6 Methods and Approach... 7 Results Discussion Recommendations Acknowledgements References Appendix Appendix

3 List of Figures Figure 1: Map of Region Figure 2: Annex Building located north of the women s correction center in relation to Allco Park and the Alouette River Management Society (Google Maps, 2015). Figure 3: Sampling procedures and images taken for data collection purposes ( Smith, 2015). Figure 4: Alouette Sockeye Research Facility ( Smith, 2015). Figure 5: Equipment used to sample ( Smith, 2015). Figure 6: Peristaltic pump and Parasite-S setup for Tub B ( Smith, 2015). Figure 7: Third Sockeye to arrive at the trap, last mortality ( Smith, 2015). Figure 8: First Sockeye to arrive at the trap, first mortality ( Smith, 2015). Figure 9: Second Sockeye to arrive at the trap, second mortality ( Smith, 2015). Figure 10: Fourth Sockeye to arrive at the trap, third mortality ( Smith, 2015). List of Tables Table Alouette Sockeye Data 11 3

4 Executive Summary During the return season of the 2015 run there were four returning sockeye in the ALLCO trap on the South Alouette River. Due to a variety of inconclusive reasons the sockeye returning from the ocean to the ALLCO trap, were in a degraded state of distress. Due to the poor condition of the fish, unfortunately all four sockeye died before the ripe age of a spawner. However we were able to hold the adult brood stock over a nine week period up until the last sockeye died on October 22 nd, one week before ripeness. The Annex building hatchery set up was completed on May 30 th, 2015 and ready to hold adult broodstock from that point forward. The incubation room was also set up and ready to go at this point as well. Ongoing maintenance is required as this facility is an experimental hatchery. This is to meet the needs of working staff within the facility and the facility itself. Introduction The purpose of this project is to determine whether extirpated sockeye salmon runs can be reestablished from non-anadromous kokanee populations that have been able to persist within dammed watershed. Sockeye salmon were extirpated from the Alouette River by dam and tunnel construction in the 1920 s. Since 2005, an experimental spill from the Alouette Dam has resulted in sea run kokanee smolts and returning adults. These adults are seen as a conservation priority in the Salmonid Action Plan section of the Watershed Plan (FWCP 2011) for the Alouette Watershed. Since 2008, the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) has captured sea run kokanee below the Alouette Dam at the Allco fish fence, sampled their DNA and transferred them to the Alouette Reservoir by truck and trailer. Parental analysis was used to identify the progeny of these sea run kokanee in samples of smolts and lake-resident juveniles, in order to evaluate the overall reproductive success of the transferred adults. Previous work suggested that few if any of these adults have produced progeny (Godbout et al. 2014). The reasons for their failure to reproduce remain unknown. Possible explanations include pre-spawning mortality resulting from the stress of trucking, being tagged, handled and released, or disease or parasites picked up during marine migration, or perhaps because they are not finding one another or not finding the conditions suitable for spawning (Godbout L. et al. 2014, Plate, E.M. et al. 2014). Ideally, as suggested in Plate (Oct. 2014) the interim step of hatchery enhancement of sockeye smolts along with the construction of a fishway on the Alouette Dam would be most beneficial to the re-establishment of a self-sustaining sockeye run in the upper Alouette watershed. 4

5 Goals and Objectives This project was intended to determine the reasons for the apparent failure of reproduction while advancing the objective of restoring an anadromous sockeye run by increasing the number of sea-running smolts. ARMS, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BC Corrections, and the Pacific Biological Station (DFO PBS), proposed to retain ten of the adult females that we hoped to return in 2015 for hatchery brood stock, and to release their marked (adipose-clip) progeny into the Alouette Reservoir in late spring Relative survival was to be determined by comparing the prevalence of adipose-clipped progeny in samples of smolts and lake-resident juveniles in 2017 (and hopefully subsequent years). The proposed hatchery-based experiment will advance the objective of restoring an anadromous sockeye run by both increasing the total number of sea run smolts, and allowing further controlled investigation. It was suggested that instead of transplanting all sea-run sockeye adults back into the reservoir, approximately ten adult females and a similar number of males be tested for disease and spawned in the hatchery to produce 20,000 to 30,000 fry. Marked fry (adipose clip) could then be released into the reservoir the following year (once the spring emigration period and spill (Godbout et. al. 2014). The purpose of this project for 2015 is to continue to collect data in order to determine whether the extirpated sockeye run can be re-established from the non-anadromous (kokanee) population that has persisted in the reservoir. The ability to deliver disease profiles will be of benefit to Alouette kokanee as the presence of disease would inform the decision on whether to transfer sea-run kokanee to the reservoir in future years and/or inform procedures on how to handle sea-run kokanee in future years. Confirming feasibility of holding adults to maturity and the viability of kokanee progeny in the hatchery will inform how sockeye re-anadromization will proceed in future years, potentially contributing to (or greatly enhancing) rate of success of the program. Another important focus in 2015 is to minimize and prevent any access of the infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). A mountain side spring is the hatchery s primary water supply which is gravity fed directly to an aeration tower/tank before it is then distributed to the facility. A nearby groundwater well can also be used as needed. Therefore the Alouette Sockeye Research Hatchery is isolated from any shared water supply. All of the drains located in the building, exit to a drainage pit area thus minimizing risk of pathogen transfer. 5

6 Location of Study Area The South Alouette Watershed (144 km 2 ), comprised of the South Alouette River and Alouette Reservoir, is located within the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The Annex building is located north of the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (ACCW) as shown in figure 1 and 2. Figure 1: Map of Region 6

7 Figure 2: Annex Building located north of the women s correction center in relation to ALLCO Park and the Alouette River Management Society (Google Maps, 2015). Methods and Approach Once a sockeye has entered the Allco fish trap, a specifically designed transport tank and trailer is required to transfer it to the Alouette Sockeye Research Hatchery (figure 4). Special porous nylon bags are used for each adult to minimize handling and stress during transfer. Once the fish is placed into the first holding/recovery tub (tub C) the sampling procedure begins. The fish, once anesthetized becomes calm enough to be handled, then placed on the sampling table for the following data to be recorded: Pit Tag injection, measurements nose to fork length, weight, DNA sample using a punch of the adipose fin, scale samples extracted from either side of the fish and identification photos (figure 3). 7

8 Figure 3: Sampling procedures and images taken for data collection purposes ( Smith, 2015). TUB A TUB B TUB C Figure 4: Alouette Sockeye Research Facility ( Smith, 2015). 8

9 Tweezers for scale samples Hole punch for DNA Pit Tag injection Thermometer Waterproof Flashlight ph meter & water temperature Figure 5: Equipment used to sample ( Smith, 2015). When the sampling is complete the fish is placed in the recovery tub until recovery is complete, once recovered the fish is placed in tub B for holding until sexual maturity (late October November). Daily checks are made to monitor the overall fish health, water quality of the tub water is also taken at this time. A parasite S treatment takes place three times a week, through a peristaltic pump (figure 6), in order to prevent any infection or bacteria in the water or on the fish. A vidalife treatment is also completed at the same time in order to re-establish any loss of the mucus membrane of the fish during the sampling procedure. This product will in turn help with any bacteria on the fish directly ie. Saprolegnia (fungal infection). 9

10 Figure 6: Peristaltic pump and Parasite-S setup for Tub B ( Smith, 2015). Results In 2015 we had four sockeye return to the Allco Fish Trap all of which were transported to the Alouette Sockeye Research Hatchery and sampled. With the drought conditions over the summer months, causing increased river temperatures, the effects have shown. All four fish came back with some degree of saprolegnia, fungal disease. As shown in the table 1 below, three sockeye were females and one was male (see details Appendix 1). 10

11 Table 1: 2015 Alouette Sockeye Data. This year ARMS has learned a lot about these returning fish both from sampling and results of lab testing. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Biological Station provided a lab report of the four returning Alouette Sockeye. The following information was prepared by Christine MacWilliams on November 20 th 2015: DIAGNOSTIC REPORT PBS Case# : 4 Alouette River sockeye (1 fresh dead, 3 frozen carcasses) were received Oct 22. Adults were captured at the fence, and transported to Alouette Sockeye Facility for holding in circular tubs in 10 o C water with 98% DO saturation. All fish expired pre-spawning (MacWilliams, 2015). Gross findings: 1. Fresh dead (2215); female; scale loss on caudal peduncle and right side; no internal nematodes; internal organs appeared normal; flesh pale; eggs just starting to loosen, but no ovarian fluid accumulated; no pit tag recovered (MacWilliams, 2015) shown in figure 7. 11

12 Figure 7: Third Sockeye to arrive at the trap, last mortality ( Smith, 2015). 2. Frozen carcass (2213); female; (Aug 10 th carcass reported to be of poor quality due to time left in water after death) fungus around the vent; pictures submitted indicate hemorrhagic skin lesions on ventrum and areas of skin loss/ulceration on dorsum; pit tag # C13GAO; ovary was only partially developed (did not extend past the spleen) and eggs were very small; internal nematodes (Anisakis or Philonema) present in abdominal cavity; flesh bright red (MacWilliams, 2015) shown in figure 8. Figure 8: First Sockeye to arrive at the trap, first mortality ( Smith, 2015). 12

13 3. (2214); male; scale loss, enlarged vent; no pit tag recovered; flesh bright red (MacWilliams, 2015) shown in figure 9. Figure 9: Second Sockeye to arrive at the trap, second mortality ( Smith, 2015). 4. Female (2216); petechial hemorrhage on ventrum and swim bladder; fungus at caudal peduncle; ovary mostly developed (extending almost to the vent) but not fully ripe; flesh bright red; no pit tag recovered (MacWilliams, 2015) shown in figure 10. Figure 10: Fourth Sockeye to arrive at the trap, third mortality ( Smith, 2015). 13

14 Bacteriology (Study of Bacteria): Kidney swabs were cultured unto TSA and HS bacterial growth media (MacWilliams, 2015). Bacteria were cultured from all fish o Flavobacterium sp. was cultured from the kidney of fish #1 this is a common pathogen of Pacific salmon the bacteria is considered to be ubiquitous, but normally only causes disease/death when either the environment or the host is compromised. o Fish #2 grew an oxidase negative, motile Gram negative short, fat rod which biochemical testing profile failed to identify the significance of this finding is unknown; however the API-20 NE bacterial identification system is fairly good at recognizing endemic fish pathogens; lack of ID suggests this is a contaminant from tissue breakdown and decomposition o Fish also cultured bacteria, but these are considered non-significant, post-mortem contaminants (non-motile, pleomorphic) Serology (Study of Bodily Fluids): Mid-Kidney samples were taken for ELISA for Renibacterium salmoninarum Fish 1, were negative for BKD (negative control OD value 0.068) Fish 2 was positive with an OD value of (note: OD values can range from to as high as 2.50; would be rated as a low positive, with the some of the progeny from this female likely to be infected as embryos with Renibacterium salmoninarum, causative agent of Bacterial Kidney Disease (MacWilliams, 2015). Virology (Study of Viruses): Head kidney and spleen specimens were inoculated unto EPC and CHSE-214 cell lines All samples were negative for cell death caused by a virus Histology (Study of microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues): Specimens from #1 were submitted for histologic examination. Bacterial colonies were seen in the gills, heart and spleen; indicating (along with the bacteria culture results) bacterial gill disease and systemic myxobacteriosis as the cause of death for this fish (MacWilliams, 2015). Note: kidney samples were not included in the tissues submitted for histo, so evaluation of Parvicapsula loads of this fish was not possible. 14

15 Age of Sockeye Returnees and Parentage Of the four sockeye salmon that returned to the Alouette (Allco Fish Fence), two of these were identified by the Pacific Biological Station (Godbout, L. et.al. 2016) as originating from the Alouette Reservoir and the other two returning spawners were fish originating from the Great Central Lake (fish ID 2213) and the other from Sproat Lake (fish ID 2214). Both these fish (ID 2213 and 2214) came from the west coast of Vancouver Island. Fish scales that were collected by Allco Fish Hatchery staff and submitted to the Pacific Biological Station for analysis showed that the Alouette stock were older fish than the Vancouver Island stock as seen in Table 1 below (Godbout, L. et. al. 2016) In terms of parentage of the 2015 returning Alouette spawners (fish ID 2215 and 2216), it was concluded that neither of these fish had matched perfectly for a parental pair originating from the 112 sea-run kokanee that had returned to the Alouette system in However, it was found that one of the fish did have a match of one parent to an Alouette sea-run kokanee parent from the 2010 cohort (Godbout. L, et. al. 2016). Discussion Interpretation: Fish #1 died due to bacterial gill disease and systemic infection with Flavobacterium (aka myxobacteriosis) (MacWilliams, 2015). An infectious cause of death was not evident in the 3 frozen carcasses submitted. An unidentified bacteria was cultured from fish #2, however this growth could have occurred post-mortem. Internal nematodes were seen in fish #2; this is most likely an incidental finding. Three of four fish were negative for the vertically transmitted diseases of concern in our region (BKD and IHN); however one fish was positive for BKD at a low level, which indicates some of the progeny would likely been infected/immunotolerant, had they survived (MacWilliams, 2015). Based on these findings, I can assign a definitive cause of death to fish #1. For the other 3 fish, metabolic disease/environmental stress combined with incidental, light infections of endemic pathogens is suggested (MacWilliams, 2015). We were successful in minimizing and preventing any risk of the infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) as all the sockeye tested negative for this disease. The amount of information gathered from holding the adults this year encourages us to continue, as we now have evidence that the sockeye can indeed be held to ripe spawning age. We are also encouraged that we have adult spawners arriving at the trap. The 2015 year was a record breaking hot and dry year, similar conditions may or may not be present in the upcoming years. The knowledge gleaned from this past project will be used in the following years to rearing sockeye from eggs to fry. 15

16 Recommendations Soak all dip nets in vidalife before capturing the fish to prevent any mucus membrane loss. Do not take samples from hatchery fish until eggs are taken as the excess handling seems to increase mortality. Continue with the bio-sampling protocol of fork length, scale, and tissue samples taken for all returning Sockeye. o However, instead of completing this upon arrival it will be completed at time of egg take moving forward as this causes unnecessary stress on the fish. Change the plumbing in tub B from upwelling to circular flowing. Replace all wooden flooring with aluminum grating. Replace wooden trough lids with aluminum. Replace anesthetic setup from CO2 to TMS (MS222). o TMS (MS222) will be administered to the transport tank to minimize any stress during the trip from the river to the hatchery site. Continue to use a peristaltic pump to administer Parasite-S instead of using the static bath treatment. Use rubber Gardena gloves instead of wool or cotton to reduce any mucus membrane loss. 16

17 Acknowledgements The Alouette River Management Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. In-kind for this project is acknowledged from BC Corrections, Allco Fish Hatchery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Pacific Biological Station. The Alouette River Management Society would also like to thank Inch Creek Hatchery, and Cultus Lake Hatchery for providing fish culture training opportunities to the Allco Experimental Hatchery staff. References FWCP, Alouette Watershed Plan, Final Draft FWCP, 2011 Alouette Watershed Salmonid Action Plan, Final Draft Godbout, L., Wood, C.C. and O Brien, M Complement of Information. Godbout, L, Project Proposal Part IV: Experimental Release of hatchery-reared sea-run kokanee into Alouette Reservoir to evaluate the feasibility of re-establishing sockeye salmon. Godbout L. and Wood, C.C., 2015 Experimental release of hatchery-reared sea-run kokanee into Alouette Reservoir to evaluate the feasibility of re-establishing sockeye salmon. Supplement of information submitted to FWCP and MOE, May p. Google Maps, Retrieved from: 4, ,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x9a90bbb813f42b3f MacWilliams, C, Memorandum PBS Case# : Alouette Sockeye Diagnostic Report Plate, E.M., Mathews, M.A., & Bocking, R.C Technical Feasibility & Recommendations for Alouette Lake Sockeye Salmon Re-establishment above the Alouette Dam EA

18 Appendix 1 Experimental hatchery release project L. Godbout, C.C. Wood and M. O Brien Introduction This report summarizes investigations of adult O. nerka returning to the Alouette River in Our objectives were to: - Identify their population of origin - Assess their health status - Determine their sex and fecundity - Determine their age and assign to brood year - Carry out a parental analysis to determine if any were the progeny of adult sea-run kokanee that had returned in previous years. Methods In summer 2015 four adult fish were captured in the Alouette River and transferred to the Alouette Salmon Facility for a pilot captive breeding project. Fish were held in circular tubs in 10 C water with 98% DO saturation. All fish died before spawning and their carcasses were shipped on ice to the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo for investigation on October 22, 2015, along with scale and tissue samples and other information (Table 1). The carcasses were picked up at the seaplane depot and a necropsy and additional sampling were performed the same day. Tissue samples were analyzed for DNA (14 microsatellite loci) based on procedures described by Beacham et al. (2005) and used to determine the population of origin stock ID using 90 coast-wide populations of sockeye and kokanee. The probability of an individual s belonging to a given population was calculated, and each individual was assigned to the population for which it had the highest marginal probability. Sex was determined by examining the shape of the vent, and confirmed by the presence/ absence of eggs during dissection. The ripeness of the female fish was visually assessed and eggs were extracted at the time of necropsy and preserved in ethanol for further investigation. To estimate fecundity, three subsamples of eggs were weighed, counted, and measured using Image Pro Premier version 9.1. The average egg weight and count from each sample was then used to convert the total weight of the eggs to an estimate of total egg count. An additional set of fish scales was collected during the necropsy and both set of scales were used to age the returning adults and to determine their brood year. Parental analysis was carried out to determine if any of the 2015 Alouette sea run kokanee were the progeny of sea run kokanee that had returned previously in the corresponding brood year. Parental analysis was performed using CERVUS version as in previous years (see Godbout et al. 2014). 18

19 Results and discussion Stock of origin and fish age Two of the returning adults (fish ID 2215 and 2216) were O. nerka from the Alouette Reservoir while the other two were sockeye salmon that had strayed from the Somass River on the west coast of Vancouver Island (fish 2213 from Great Central Lake and fish 2214 from Sproat Lake, Table 2). This unusual straying behaviour seems to be related to the unusually warm ocean condition in Both set of scales matched for the XX% of fish scales that could be aged (Table 2). Both Alouette sea-run kokanee were older than the West Coast Vancouver Island sockeye as a result of spending 3 years at sea (rather than 1 or 2 years) or going to sea at age 2 rather than age 1. These ages indicated that both O. nerka from Alouette were potentially progeny of Alouette sea-run kokanee that had returned to the Alouette River in Fish health, sex, and egg counts Fish 2215 died from bacterial gill disease caused by systemic infection with Flavobacterium. A definitive cause of death could not be determined for fish 2213, 2214, and 2216, but all were infected with unidentified bacteria that probably started growing post-mortem (they were not examined immediately after death) (Table 1). Fish 2213 also had minor/ incidental nematode and bacterial kidney disease infections (details of the results are in Appendix 1). Sex determination based on the shape of the vent were confirmed during the necropsy. Three fishes were female (2213, 2215, 2216) and one was male (2214) (Table 2). Eggs of fish 2215 were ripe and had begun to loosen (Figure 1a), while those of fish 2216 (Figure 1b) were not yet fully ripe. Eggs of fish 2215 were 20% more numerous and heavier on average than those of fish 2216 (Table 2). The egg count of the 2015 sea-run kokanee ( )tended to be higher than those for 6 sea run kokanee sampled (as morts) between mid July and mid August 2010 which averaged 3153 eggs ( ) Parental Analysis Analysis using CERVUS indicated that neither of the 2015 Alouette sea run kokanee perfectly matched any parental pair of the 112 sea run kokanee that had returned to the Alouette River and had been transferred to the Alouette Reservoir in Fish 2215 perfectly matched one of the 2010 Alouette sea-run kokanee and fish 2216 nearly matched (mismatch of 1) another 2010 sea run kokanee. It should be noted that while a perfect match with a parental pair almost certainly implies parentage, a perfect match with only one parent might also occur by chance (not by parentage) given the low diversity in this population. Recommendation/Suggestions: Sockeye salmon from other sockeye populations have been observed to return in the Alouette River in both 2010 (6 from Weaver) and 2015 (2 from the west Coast of Vancouver Island). It is therefore important to hold the returning adults in an isolation tank until their origin has been confirmed via DNA. 19

20 Evaluation of infection by the parasite Parvicapsula should be performed in the future. Consideration should also be given to incubating eggs and rearing fry from Alouette kokanee at the Upper Hatchery under the same conditions as proposed for the sea-run kokanee. This additional experimental component would provide a control to assess knowledge gaps 4 to 6 (Godbout and Wood 2015). Given that kokanee and sea-run kokanee derived from the same gene pool in the previous generation, the release of progeny of kokanee in both the reservoir and river would also provide an opportunity to increase the number of emigrating smolts and returning adult sea-run kokanee. The number of emigrating smolts is relatively small and currently limits the number of returning adults as well as the possibility of resolving knowledge gaps. References Godbout, L., Wood, C.C., O Brien, M.R., and Menard.D Assessment of smolt production from anadromous O. nerka transferred into the Alouette Reservoir: Brood years Report for BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Restoration Program. 73p. Godbout L. and C.C. Wood Experimental release of hatchery-reared sea-run kokanee into Alouette Reservoir to evaluate the feasibility of re-establishing sockeye salmon. Supplement of Information submitted to FWCP and MOE May p. 20

21 Table 1: Fish information on 4 fish carcasses received at PBS on Oct DNA vial/ FISH ID Date of capture Date of death FL (cm) Weight (g) Condition at PBS s arrival 2213 Aug Aug Frozen 2214 Aug Aug Frozen 2215 Aug Oct Fresh 2216 Aug Sept Frozen Table2: Information on the stock of origin, age based on scales collected in the field and at PBS (field/pbs), sex based on the vent and organs, brood year and pit tag number (Pit tag no.). NA indicate that the scales could not be read. DNA vial/ FISH ID Origin Age Field/ PBS Sex vent Sex organs Brood year Pit Tag no Great Central L. 4 2/4 2 F F C13GAO 2214 Sproat L. 3 2/3 2 M M 2012 No 2215 Alou 5 3/5 3 F F 2010 No 2216 Alou NA/5 2 F F 2010 Found, not read 21

22 Table 3a: Mean values for the measurements of the egg samples taken from fish 2215 and 2216 Fish Id Sub-sample size (n=3) Mean egg count Mean egg mass Ratio = mass/count b: Total egg mass and estimated number of eggs for fish 2215 and 2216 Fish ID Total egg mass Total Egg count* *Total mass/ratio Figure 1: Necropsy photos of fish 2215 of the eggs (panel A) and of the whole fish (panel B) 22

23 Figure 2: Photo of the eggs from fish Scale is in cm. 23

24 Appendix 1 24

25 25

26 Appendix 2 Sockanee not coming back to South Alouette About 25,000 juvenile fish will be released into Alouette Lake and 10,000 into the river over the next two years. Image Credit: THE NEWS/Files by Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge News posted Nov 5, 2015 at 1:00 PM They ve tried releasing thousands of kokanee over the spillway of the Alouette reservoir dam each spring, attempting to rebuild the sockeye fishery in the South Alouette River. With returns inconsistent, that hasn t worked out so well for the Alouette River Management Society. Now, the river keepers are getting serious. Instead of trusting the freshwater kokanee salmon to migrate down the South Alouette River, spend a few years in the Pacific Ocean and come back as sockeye, and eventually rebuild the run that s been extinct since the 1920s, the group wants to see if raising fish in a hatchery will speed up the process. Over the next two years, the society will be raising fry, which are a couple centimetres long, as well as finger-length smolts, and releasing them into both the lake and the river. 26

27 The ratio of return is less than one per cent right now. We want to get it to two per cent, said Nicole Driedger, of ARMS. Our best chance is releasing the smolts into the river. About 25,000 juvenile fish will be released into the lake and 10,000 into the river over the next two years. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment have both approved the study. A request for funding the project will be made to B.C. Hydro s Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. The fish will be the progeny of both the limited numbers of sockeye that actually return to the South Alouette, as well as the kokanee that are resident in the lake. The number of returnees will be compared with the sockeye that normally return, to see which species, purebred sockeye, kokanee, or hybrids and which method of release will produce greater returns. The results, it s hoped, will confirm if a hatchery can be an effective, intermediary step to reestablishing a full-fledged sockeye run in the South Alouette River and bolster the case for building ARMS s long-term dream of building a fishway or ladder around the 11-metre high dam so fish can access the lake. The ultimate goal is to re-establish the sockeye run in the South Alouette River that was wiped out in 1926, when B.C. Hydro built the dam, sealing the sockeye in the lake and cutting off those in the river from their spawning grounds. Driedger compared the attempt to rebuild the run as a Jurassic Park-type experiment. After the dam blocked the lake the trapped sockeye became kokanee, with successive generations swimming in the lake, awaiting a return to the Pacific Ocean. Now, almost a century later, those fish could again become ocean-going sockeye salmon, with all the tourist and economic potential that sockeye bring. Our sockeye are kind of like dinosaurs, they were extinct. So making something out of nothing is pretty cool. Persuading B.C. Hydro to build a fishway will give fish a direct connection from the river to the lake, where sockeye spawn. Other species of salmon and trout also will benefit by reconnecting to the entire lake system. This year has seen healthy runs of chum and pinks returning to the South Alouette River. 27

28 We have so many chum that the coho can t find spawning grounds, said Driedger. The huge numbers of decaying fish, however, provide fertilizer and nutrients for plants along the river, as well as eggs and fry in the river. Driedger points out that many groups each year visit the Rivers Heritage Centre, which in October included a Chinese delegation. Members were surprised to learn there was no fishway connecting the river to the lake. She was told that all new dams in China are required to have fishways. 28

29 Alouette River Management Society Alouette Road, Maple Ridge, BC V4R1R ARMS Update Spring & Summer 2015 Hello ARMS Members, Volunteers, Partners, & Friends! We are happy to share with you our accomplishments & updates during the first part of 015. It has been a busy and exciting few months for us, and we are proud of how far we've come. Here is what we've been up to: SPRING BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS Our spring break camps were fully booked, as anticipated! We had 60 children attend our two weeks of Minecraft themed day camps, immersed in hands-on learning and outdoor fun! We were able to provide volunteer experience to 9 student Camp Councillors. Dan Mikolay did a phenomenal job managing the camps. As for summertime, we are looking at a jam-packed July and August as we prepare to host 5 weeks of day camps: 29

30 Super Mario Camp: July 6-10 SPORE Camp: July Pokemon Camp: July Minecraft III: July Minecraft III: August WELCOME, SOPHIE & ALEX! ARMS is pleased to welcome Sophie Smith as our new Acting Education Coordinator and Alex Bragg as our 2015 Summer Student. Sophie recently received her Bachelor's Degree in Geography from the University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Science. She is currently part of the internationally-recognized Global Rivers Observatory Project, and completed her practicum as a part of this project at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts, USA. Alexandria Bragg is currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Geography at the University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Studies and Forest Conservation. She is our flora and vegetation expert here and will be assisting with planting prescriptions and other ARMS events and activities during her time with us. KAZTIE SLOUGH BLIND CHANNEL MONITORING We have recently begun our seasonal stewardship monitoring of the Katzie Slough blind channel in Pitt Meadows. We do water-quality testing, invertebrate counting, and vegetation surveys of the site regularly between April and August each year to track the health and progress of the blind channel. Thank you to Pacific Salmon Foundation for providing the fourth year of funding for this five year study. CONGRATULATIONS GRETA & DAVE We are thrilled to announce the birth of Eoin Borick-Cunningham, born January 18th, 2015 to ARMS Executive Director Greta Borick-Cunningham and her loving husband Dave. We are so happy that Eoin is doing well, and look forward to having Greta return to ARMS in NEW WATER-QUALITY TESTING EQUIPMENT, NEW FRONTIERS ARMS has recently purchased a Lamotte 2020we electronic handheld turbidity meter and a professional-grade YSI multiparameter probe to allow staff and volunteers to test water quality throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with ease and accuracy. This new digital equipment far exceeds the accessibility of our outdated manual equipment and methods. We are eager to get out in the field and expand our reach as we collect data from local creeks, streams, and rivers, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of nearby watersheds. We are especially thankful to the Pitt River Area Watershed Network (PRAWN), who carried out incredible environmental stewardship in Pitt Meadows and were generous enough to establish a watershed-monitoring fund for ARMS when they dissolved. BEE SATURDAYS ARE BACK! That's right, our weekly beekeeping workshops have started! Attend our FREE workshops every Saturday from 12pm - 2pm at the Rivers Heritage Centre. Suit up, get up-close-and-personal with our friendly honeybees, and learn all 30

31 about these fascinating creatures in a safe, fun way! Contact our beekeeper Loretta Jackson at thebeelady@outlook.com to RSVP, or call O.W.L.E.S COMMUNITY WORKSHOP ARMS is hosting an exciting FREE workshop on June 14th at the Rivers Heritage Centre as part of our new Owls, Wildlife, & Endangered Species program, funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey will be bringing LIVE birds, and attendees will get the opportunity to dissect REAL owl pellets and analyze the skeletons within them while learning about habitats, local ecosystems, and food chains. All ages welcome, space is limited. RSVP by contacting us at or voluncomm@alouetteriver.org. 11am-2pm. MAPLE RIDGE ADOPT-A-BLOCK-PROGRAM Have YOU adopted your block yet? Join the Maple Ridge Adopt-A-Block Program and sign up to look after a section of your neighbourhood. Equipment is provided, and members are eligible for municipal street sign of recognition installed at adoption site. Adopt-A-Block also participates in bimonthly cleanups of the downtown Maple Ridge core with the municipal Community Builders team, and recently hosted its first geocaching litter pickup called a CITO (Cache-In-Trash-Out) cleanup of 256th Street on May 16th. adoptablock@alouetteriver.org or visit for more information. PROJECT APPROVALS Aren't we lucky! ARMS was approved for 4 ongoing projects this year: the, Experimental Sockeye Enumeration Project, the Adult Sockeye Enumeration Project Mud Creek Restoration Project, and the Alouette Side Channel Project. ARMS has been extremely fortunate to receive funding from BC Hydro's Fish & Wildlife Compensation Project for three projects, the Pacific Salmon Foundation for three projects, and Innergex for one project. These groups provide the money we need to design and carry out complex plans in order to enhance, restore, and protect sensitive ecosystems and species that are extremely valuable to the health and strength of natural habitats in British Columbia. THANK YOU! EVENTS ARMS ATTENDED - Annual Scouts Nite Hike - Maple Ridge Earth Day Pitt Meadows Earth Day 2015 UPCOMING EVENTS - OWLES Community Workshop, June 14th 11am - 2pm, Rivers Heritage Centre - Father's Day Fish Release, June 21st 11am - 2pm, Maple Ridge Park - Country Fest 2015, July 25th and 26th at the Albion Fairgrounds - Ridge Meadows Rivers Day, September 27th 2015 Questions? Comments? Looking for volunteer opportunities? CONTACT US at voluncomm@alouetteriver.org. 31

32 Find us on social 32

33 Tours to the Alouette Sockeye Experimental Hatchery Alouette River Sockeye Reanadromization Project Committee (ARSRP) Fall

34 ARMS website project information page and FWCP acknowledgement Alouette Sockeye Enhancement Hatchery April 01, 2016 by Sophie Smith 0 Comment Alouette Sockeye Enhancement Hatchery AKA: Experimental Release of Hatchery Reared Sea-Run Kokanee into Alouette Reservoir to Evaluate the Feasibility of Re-establishing a Sockeye Salmon Run 2015 (16.ALU.02) Alouette Sockeye Enhancement Hatchery The purpose of this project is to determine whether extirpated sockeye salmon runs can be re-established from non-anadromous kokanee populations that have been able to persist within a dammed watershed. Sockeye salmon were extirpated from the Alouette River by dam and tunnel construction in the 1920 s. Since 2005, an experimental spill from the Alouette Dam has resulted in sea run kokanee smolts and returning adults. These adults are seen as a conservation priority in the Salmonid Action Plan section of the Watershed Plan for the Alouette Watershed. 34

35 Since 2008, the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) has captured sea-run kokanee below the Alouette Dam at the Allco fish fence, sampled their DNA and transferred them to the Alouette Reservoir by truck and trailer. Parental analysis, by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, was used to identify the off-spring of these sea-run kokanee in samples of smolts and lake-resident juveniles, in order to evaluate the overall reproductive success of the transferred adults. Preliminary results suggest that few if any of these adults have produced off-spring. The reasons for their failure to reproduce remain unknown. Possible explanations include pre-spawning mortality resulting from the stress of trucking, being tagged, handled and released, or disease or parasites picked up during marine migration, or perhaps because they are not finding one another or not finding the conditions suitable for spawning. ARMS proposed to retain ten of the adult females that we hoped to return in 2015 for hatchery brood stock, and to release their marked (adipose-clip) progeny into the Alouette Reservoir in late spring Relative survival was to be determined by comparing the prevalence of adipose-clipped progeny in samples of smolts and lake-resident juveniles in 2017 (and hopefully subsequent years). The overall objective is to increase the number of out-going sockeye juveniles that will return to the Alouette River system as spawning adults and thus will overwhelm our current truck and trap method to such an extent that fish passage over the Alouette Dam is evident. The Alouette River Sockeye Reanadromization Project committee is a partnership of ARMS, Katzie First Nation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Environment, the City of Maple Ridge, BC Hydro and LGL Consulting. This group has been working for almost ten years to bring realize their vision of a connected lower and upper Alouette Watershed and for the sockeye salmon to be able to return to their original spawning grounds to complete their lifecycle. The 2015 season was approved for $40,000 and 2014 season was approved for $32, This was made possible through BC Hydro s Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). 35

36 Alouette River Management Society Facebook posting 1st April,