Alouette Water Use Plan

Transcription

1 Alouette Water Use Plan Sockeye Adult Enumeration ALUMON#4 Study Period: 2008 Report Date: March 2009 Alouette River Management Society March 2009

2 Alouette Adult Sockeye Enumeration: 2008 Prepared for: BC Hydro (Contact: Dave Hunter) Water Licence Requirements 6911 Southpoint Drive, E16 Burnaby, BC V3N 4X8 Prepared by: Amanda Balcke, B.Sc. Alouette River Management Society Alouette Road, Allco Park Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1R4 March 2009

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary. 2 Background. 3 Goals and Objectives... 3 Study Area... 4 Methods... 5 Results. 7 Conclusion... 8 Acknowledgements. 9 References... 9 Appendix A: Sockeye sampling data, Appendix B: Report on Genetic Structure of Alouette-Coquitlam Kokanee-Sockeye Salmon by John Candy, List of Figures Figure 1: Map of the Alouette Watershed 4 Figure 2: The Allco Fish Hatchery Fence and Trap, July Figure 3: Sockeye #47-48 is measured and sampled, July Figure 4: Sockeye released into Alouette Lake, July Figure 5: Number of sockeye returned to the Alouette Watershed in 2008, by date.. 7 Figure 6: Number of sockeye returned to the Alouette Watershed in 2008, by length... 8 List of Tables Table 1: Estimated number of smolts leaving the Alouette Reservoir during the spring surface release, Table 2: Number of returned adult sockeye to the Alouette Watershed, Page 1

4 Executive Summary Under BC Hydro s Water Use Plan for the Alouette Watershed, a spring surface release of water over the Alouette Dam has allowed for kokanee smolts to migrate to the ocean for the last four years. The first surface release occurred in 2005 and the fish returned to the Alouette in 2007 as adult sockeye salmon. In 2008, 54 sockeye salmon returned to the Alouette Watershed between July 2 and August 26, The sockeye were caught at the Allco Fish Hatchery where they were measured, catalogued and sampled for tissue and scales. The sockeye were then transported for release above the dam and into Alouette Lake. 53 sockeye were released alive into Alouette Lake. Genetic testing of the tissues samples showed non-significant variation between the kokanee smolt samples taken during out-migration and the adult sockeye returns. Page 2

5 Background A spring surface release operation, where three cubic metres per second is released through the spillway gate rather than the low level outlet for two months between April and June, has been integrated into the Alouette WUP to provide a means by which kokanee/sockeye smolts can migrate out of the reservoir and to the ocean via the Alouette River. This operation forms part of a longer term strategy in the watershed to re-establish a sockeye salmon run that was extirpated soon after the construction of the Alouette dam in the 1920s. A key assumption that was made when adopting the operation is that the kokanee smolts are fully capable of successfully reanadromizing to ocean rearing conditions, i.e.: - Successfully adapting to salt water conditions, - Adopting behavioural strategies to successfully compete and avoid predation in an ocean environment, and finally - Retaining their ability to recognize and return to their native lake/stream system to spawn. Since the first spring surface release in 2005, kokanee/sockeye smolts have migrated out of the reservoir (Table 1, Mathews and Bocking, 2009). In 2007, adult sockeye salmon genetically proven to be Alouette stock returned to the Alouette River. This was the first run of Alouette sockeye salmon since the extirpation of sockeye after the dam was built. Table 1: Estimated number of smolts leaving the Alouette Reservoir during the spring surface release, Year of Smolt Migration Estimated Number of Smolts , , , ,257 Goals and Objectives The goal of the Adult Sockeye Enumeration Monitor of the Alouette is to determine whether Alouette Lake kokanee smolts can successfully adapt to an anadromous existence by returning from the ocean environment to spawn in Alouette Lake. To analyze the re-anadromization of kokanee, the timing of adult sockeye return will be determined by the year round operation of the Allco Hatchery fish fence and the testing of sockeye tissues samples will answer the question of whether adult sockeye caught during the monitor are Alouette stock or are strays from other nearby coastal systems. Page 3

6 Data is needed to determine the run timing of adult, re-anadromized kokanee/sockeye and stray sockeye so that in subsequent years, the fence operation can be coordinated between both functions: brood stock collection and sockeye adult enumeration. Study Area The Alouette adult sockeye enumeration program is located at the Allco Fish Hatchery run by BC Corrections Fraser Regional Correctional Centre. The hatchery is approximately eight kilometres downstream of the Alouette Dam and is in position to intercept all migrating adult sockeye on their way to the reservoir (Figure 1). Page 4

7 Figure 1: Map of the Alouette Watershed. Methods The general approach to the Alouette adult sockeye enumeration program was to extend the period that the Allco Fish Hatchery brood stock collection fence and trap are operated to a yearround operation for the first three years of the monitor. Typically, the fence operates in the fall for brood stock collection of chum, coho, chinook, and pink salmon. In 2008, the fence operations commenced on July 3, 2008 after the completion of a new fish trap by Bridge Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program (Figure 2). The new trap was designed to minimize stress and damage to sockeye. Figure 2: The Allco Fish Hatchery Fence and Trap, July The fish fence directed sockeye into the new trap. The trap was monitored daily by BC Corrections staff and crew. Once trapped, all sockeye were dip netted out of the trap, assigned a unique identification number, had the date of capture noted, fork length measured, and a picture taken (Figure 3). Wet weight was also measured until July 20. On July 21 the Alouette River Sockeye Re-Anadromization Project Committee decided weighing the sockeye put too much stress on the fish and weights were not measured. Tissue samples were also taken, which were stored in sealable containers, clearly labelled and frozen until the end of the run. The tissue samples were sent to the Pacific Biological Station laboratories in Nanaimo, BC for genetic analysis. The sampled sockeye were then transported by BC Corrections to Alouette Lake and released (Figure 4). Page 5

8 Figure 3: Sockeye #47-48 is measured and sampled, July Page 6

9 Figure 4: Sockeye is released into Alouette Lake, July Results The first sockeye was found on July 2 at the Alouette dam. With the fence not in operation due to the construction of the new fish trap, the first sockeye was able to swim past the hatchery and had found a small hole in the fence around the spillway and was found deceased. The first live sockeye was caught at the Allco Fish Hatchery on July 9. The peak of the return was August 3 when six sockeye were caught in one day. The last sockeye of the 2008 run was caught on August 26 (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of sockeye returned to the Alouette Watershed in 2008, by date. In total, 54 sockeye returned to the Alouette Watershed: 52 were caught at the Allco trap, one was caught at the trap by the low-level outlet at the dam, and one was found dead by the dam. 53 sockeye were released live into the Alouette Reservoir (Table 2). The length of the sockeye ranged from cm (Figure 6). Scale sample data, not available at this time, will show if the one 40 cm sockeye was an anomalous jack. Genetic sampling from the Pacific Biological Station showed non-significant variation between the Alouette kokanee smolt samples taken during outmigration and the sockeye adult returns (Candy, 2009, Addendum B). In addition, Candy also found the 2008 adult sockeye run included no stray sockeye from other systems (Candy, Personal Communication, 2009) and there was a significant variation between Alouette sockeye adults and sockeye from Coquitlam, Cultus, Harrison, and Weaver systems. Page 7

10 Table 2: Number of returned adult sockeye to the Alouette Watershed, Year of Adult Return Number of Returned Adults Number of Adults Released Alive into Alouette Reservoir Figure 6: Number of sockeye returned to the Alouette Watershed in 2008, by length. Conclusion Based on the first year of monitoring, the adult sockeye return appears to be a summer run, arriving to the Alouette Watershed in July and August. In 2009 the fence will be fishing throughout the spring and therefore no sockeye should get beyond the fence to the dam. Under the Water Use Plan Terms of Reference, the Allco fence is to run year-round. The hatchery manager requested to shorten the operation time by three months to facilitate maintenance of the fence. It was decided by the Alouette River Sockeye Re-Anadromization Project committee, comprising of representatives from ARMS, BC Corrections, BC Hydro, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, District of Maple Ridge, Katzie First Nation, LGL Limited Page 8

11 and Ministry of Environment, this was an acceptable change to the Terms of Reference, consequently for 2009, the fish fence operation will commence in April and continue to the end of December. The genetics testing by the Pacific Biological Station will continue to ensure sockeye trapped at the Allco Fish Hatchery are of Alouette stock. The ocean survival rates will be addressed in 2009 with the age-class data from scale samples. Acknowledgements This monitor was a part of the Alouette Project Water Use Plan funded by BC Hydro and overseen by the Alouette Monitoring Committee (AMC). Committee members include: Aloeutte River Management Society (ARMS), BC Corrections Allco Fish Hatchery, BC Hydro, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, District of Maple Ridge, Katzie First Nations, LGL Limited and Ministry of Environment. Appreciation is extended to the following individuals: Geoff Clayton and Gerry Miller with ARMS; Ron MacLean, Mike Ilaender, Kelly Klassen and Dave Spann with BC Corrections Allco Fish Hatchery; Dave Hunter, James Bruce and Brent Wilson with BC Hydro; Maurice Coulter-Boisvert and Matt Foy with Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Mike Leon, Debbie Miller and George Moody with Katzie First Nations; Bob Bocking and Megan Mathews with LGL Limited; Greg Wilson, Shannon Harris and Maggie Squires with Ministry of Environment; and John Candy with Pacific Biological Station. Special recognition is included for Jenny Ljunggren, who poured much of her spirit into the Alouette and ARMS, without which we would not be where we are today. References Candy, J.R Report on Genetic Structure of Alouette-Coquitlam Kokanee-Sockeye Salmon. Molecular Genetics Lab, Pacific Biological Station, DFO, Nanaimo, BC. Mathews, M.A. and R.C. Bocking Evaluation of the migration success of O. nerka (Kokanee /Sockeye) from the Alouette Reservoir, Report prepared for BC Hydro Water License Requirements, Burnaby, B.C. Report prepared by LGL Limited, Sidney, B.C. Page 9

12 Appendix A: Sockeye sampling data, 2008 Fish No. Sample No. Date Lake/Stream Name Location Caught Weight (kg) Fork Length (cm) Comments Jul 08 Alouette Dam 61 Dead; Book # Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap small (nose damage) Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap bite/claw marks Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap claw marks on belly Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap gill damage Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap 53 nose damage Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap 58 losing scales Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap 63 nose damage Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Jul 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap Aug 08 Alouette Allco Trap n/a 14 Aug 08 Alouette Dam 40 Page 10

13 Appendix B: Report on Genetic Structure of Alouette-Coquitlam Kokanee-Sockeye Salmon. J.R. Candy Molecular Genetics Lab, Pacific Biological Station, DFO, Nanaimo, B.C. (January 8, 2009) Methods and Results Sample sizes used in the analysis (Table 1), included those genotypes existing in the Molecular Genetics Lab (MGL) salmon databases, plus those that have been added through the 2008 B.C. Hydro collaborative agreement. Our naming convention considered those nerkids caught in the lake as kokanee assuming that man-made barriers prevented returning sockeye from gaining access to the lake. Fish once they had left Alouette and Coquitlam lakes, sampled as either smolts or returning adults, were considered sockeye salmon because an anadromous life-history became possible. TYPE regionname PopName CollectYear samplesize Sockeye LWFR Alouette-RtnAds Sockeye LWFR Alouette-smolt Sockeye LWFR Coquitlam-smolt Sockeye LWFR Coquitla-RtnAds Kokanee LWFR Alouette-kok Kokanee LWFR Coquitlam-kok Table 1. Sample sizes and collection year of sockeye salmon and kokanee used in the analysis to compare the genetic variation between Alouette and Coquitlam populations. For this analysis genotypic data from three additional lower Fraser sockeye populations were included (Weaver, Harrison, Cultus) to provide out populations. The additional samples run in 2008 were analyzed using the same methods used on previous samples where genomic DNA was extracted from tissues and analyzed for 14 microsatellite markers generating multilocus genotypes for each individual (Beacham et al. 2006). From these genotypes, a proximity matrix from FSTAT (Goudet, 1995) of pairwise genetic distances shows the relationship between populations. The metric used was Weir and Cockerham s (1984) coancestory coefficient (Ө), which is an approximator for F st. The proximity table shows genetic distances between pairs of populations where along the diagonal there is zero genetic distance between a population and itself (Table 2). The Ө values shows that there is no genetic difference between the Coquitlam kokanee, smolts or returning adults, although the Coquitlam smolt sample size is very small. However, for the Alouette samples, small, non-significant, genetic distances occurred between Alouette Kokanee and both the smolts and returning adult samples. There was no genetic difference between Alouette smolts and the returning adult sample. The only other nonsignificant interaction occurred between Coquitlam smolts and Alouette returning adults. Page 11

14 Alouette-RtnAds Alouette-smolts Coquitlam-smolt Coquitla-RtnAds Alouette-RtnAds NS NS * * * * NS * Alouette-smolts * * * * * NS * Coquitlam-smolt NS * * * * NS Coquitla-RtnAds * * * * NS Cultus_Lake * * * * Harrison * * * Weaver * * Alouette-Kok * Coquitlam-Kok Cultus_Lake Harrison Weaver Alouette-Kok Coquitlam-Kok Table 2. Proximity table of pairwise genetic distances between Alouette and Coquitlam sockeyekokanee populations and three additional lower Fraser Sockeye salmon populations in the lower diagional Pairwise interactions between Alouette sockeye-kokanee and Coquitlam sockeyekokanee samples are in bold. Upper diagional shows which populations are significant (*) and non-significant (NS) between one another (p<0.05). The next analysis uses a different distance measure, the Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards chord distance (Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards, 1967). This is visualized using a Neighbor-joining dendrogram (Felsenstein, 1989). It shows the clustering of the Coquitlam-kokanee-smolt-adult samples and the Alouette-kokanee-smolt-adult samples. The different watersheds are well separated from one another and the remaining lower Fraser sockeye salmon populations (Fig. 1). Page 12

15 Figure. 1 - Neighbor-joining dendrogram showing the clustering of Alouette and Coquitlam sockeye-kokanee populations and three additional lower Fraser Sockeye salmon populations using Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards chord distance (Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards, 1967). Conclusions Both of the preceding analyses would indicate significant genetic differences occurred between the Coquitlam and Alouette watersheds and the additional out populations. However, little genetic differentiation occurs between the different life-stages (kokanee vs sockeye) sampled within each watershed. Furthermore, the returning adults appear to be the result of out-migrating smolts from the respective kokanee populations. References Beacham, T. D., B. McIntosh, C. MacConnachie, K. M. Miller, R. E. Withler, and N. V. Varnavskaya Pacific Rim population structure of sockeye salmon as determined from microsatellite analysis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135: Page 13

16 Cavalli-Sforza, L.L. and A.W. F. Edwards Phylogientic analysis: models and estimation procedures. Evolution 21: Felsenstein, J PHYLIP - Phylogeny Inference Package (Version 3.2). Cladistics 5: Goudet, J FSTAT, version 1. 2: a program to calculate F-statistics. J. Hered. 86: Page 14