Managing for Diversity

Transcription

1 Managing for Diversity Pacific Salmon Treaty Workshop: Stanford University, 15 November 2007 John D. Reynolds Tom Buell BC Leadership Chair in Salmon Conservation Department of Biology Simon Fraser University, Vancouver

2 Outline 1. What is diversity? 2. The Pacific Salmon Treaty on diversity 3. Why manage it? 4. Challenges to managing it 5. Developments since the Treaty

3 1. What is Diversity? a) Among salmon species Chinook Coho Steelhead Masu Chum Pink Sockeye Augerot, 2005

4 1. What is Diversity? b) Within species Riverine/ Estuarine Estuarine Anadromous A Anadromous B Anadormous B -Half Pounders Riverine Augerot, 2005

5 1. What is Diversity? c) Habitat and ecosystem biodiversity

6 Annex IV, Chapter 1: Transboundary Rivers - Chinook (p. 18) Fishing arrangements must take biodiversity and eco-system requirements into account p Taku River - same sentence 2. The PST on diversity Chapter 5: Coho stocks shared by Washington & BC (p. 68) (a) Constrain total fishery exploitation to enable key management units of natural coho stocks to produce maximum sustainable harvests over the long term while maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of the component populations; 5 (d) (p. 70) to ensure that the level of exploitation is consistent with achieving maximum sustainable harvest for a set of agreed key natural stock management units while maintaining genetic and ecological diversity Appendix to Annex IV, Chapter 5 - coho (p. 73) 4) methods of incorporating risk in protection of genetic and ecological diversity; p repeat of 5 (d) (p. 70) genetic and ecological diversity

7 2. The PST on diversity Thus, diversity is only mentioned 6 times in the Treaty, and there are no concrete rules for managing it.

8 3. Why Manage Diversity? a) Efficiency - e.g. terminal fisheries More efficient - operating costs Easier to monitor, match to local conditions & objectives

9 3. Why Manage Diversity? b) Bet-hedging against shifts among rivers in productivity Example 1. Salmon stock complexes in Alaska Hilborn et al. (PNAS, 2003)

10 3. Why Manage Diversity? b) Bet-hedging against shifts among rivers in productivity Example 2. Chinook Life Histories and Stream Characteristics Beechie et al Biol. Cons. 130: 560

11 3. Why Manage Diversity? c) Preserve genetic potential for evolution (Examples from number studies in unpublished review by Jeff Hard et al) Traits such as length, weight, age mature often have high heritabilities

12 d) Biodiversity 3. Why Manage Diversity? Value to other species, ecosystem structure, function Marine, freshwater, terrestrial habitats affect salmon diversity & productivity Potential feedback loops to salmon via nutrients People value wild salmon and their ecosystem services

13 3. Why Manage Diversity? But 1. What are the objectives for biodiversity & ecosystems? 2. How do we manage for them?

14 Our Study: The Salmon Ecosystem Project Takla watershed 26 streams Bella Bella 50 streams Thompson watershed 14 streams Google Earth

15 Simon Fraser University Partners: Photo: JD Reynolds Heiltsuk 1st Nation Raincoast Cons Foundation Fisheries & Oceans Canada Photo: JD Reynolds Photo: JD Reynolds

16 Each spring and fall - data collection Estuaries (2 people) Streams (2) Vegetation (2) Birds (2) Salmon (4) Other fish (1) 1. What are biodiversity and ecosystem impacts? 2. How do we manage for them?

17 What do we know so far? 1. Previous studies show stable isotopes have been a good start, e.g nitrogen uptake from salmon in riparian plants Clatse River, Bella Bella region Mathewson et al. BMC Ecology 2003

18 Kinds of inference about impacts of salmon on biodiversity SO FAR Stable isotopes Isotopes have issues, but pattern largely consistent Direct observations foraging 67 vertebrates = strong relationships Cross-stream censusses Our prelim data = impacts Within-stream censusses Prelim = strong impacts Experiments & censusses Prelim = impacts on selected taxa

19 Kinds of inference about impacts of salmon on biodiversity IMPACTS DEPEND ON SO FAR Isotopes have issues, but pattern largely consistent Underlying geology N-fixing vegetation Hydrography 67 vertebrates = strong relationships Our prelim data = impacts Prelim = strong impacts Prelim = impacts on selected taxa

20 Outline 1. What is diversity? 2. The PST on diversity 3. Why manage it? 4. Challenges to managing it 5. Developments since the Treaty

21 4. Challenges to Managing Diversity Difficult to define objectives, triggers, outcomes for biodiversity The PST s view of management objectives looks like it was written in 1985, which it was! It is outdated now.??? Overescapement is ecologically meaningless

22 4. Challenges to Managing Diversity Difficult to define objectives, triggers, outcomes for biodiversity 0.15 kg fish / m 2 - minimum based on growth of juvenile salmonids - Bilby et al fish / km - asymptotic transfer to riparian plants - Nagasaka et al ,000 fish / ha - supports asymptotic brown bear predation - Quinn et al. 2003

23 5. Developments since treaty a) DFO s Wild Salmon Policy Conservation First Ecosystem values Habitat indicators Conservation units

24 Wild Salmon Policy Goal Healthy & diverse salmon populations and their habitats for benefit & enjoyment forever Objectives Safeguard genetic diversity Maintain habitat & ecosystem integrity Manage fisheries for sustainable benefits 1) Standardized monitoring wild salmon status 2) Assessment habitat status Strategies 3) Inclusion of ecosystem values & monitoring 4) Integrated strategic planning 5) Annual program delivery 6) Performance Review Guiding Principles Conservation of wild salmon and their habitat is the highest priority Obligations to First Nations Sustainable Use Open Process

25 5. Developments since treaty b) National Endangered Species Acts US Endangered Species Act (salmon early 90 s) Canadian Species at Risk Act (2002) (though Canada unwilling so far to list salmon populations under the Act) 1st Nations treaty settlements - very important in Canada

26 How are treaty re-negotiations reconciled with national legislation and policies? Will Canada move forwards or backwards on its implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy? Will the US move forwards or backwards with the Endangered Species Act?

27 Recommendations for the PST 1. Broader conservation objectives - Escapement to include ecosystem targets (rules of thumb?) 2. Prioritize habitats for protection - indicators of diversity, current & future productivity 3. Reconcile management units with other initiatives - CUs / ESUs at minimum 4. Strengthen our ability to protect weak stocks - match to national endangered species legislation

28 Thanks to Mark & Betsy Gates for helping host the event NSERC - Discovery Grant and Accelerator Grant Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program Pacific Salmon Foundation Tom Buell Foundation Watershed Watch Raincoast Conservation Foundation Mountain Equipment Co-op