Lho Dustl us. this past field season has to be entered and analyzed

Transcription

1 Volume 4 Issue 2 Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Fisheries Program: Overview The field season has come to an end. It has been a busy year with numerous projects to complete, fisheries closures to communicate, conservation issues, flooding, and the rearing and release of over 4000 juvenile sturgeon culminating in a two day school event on Oct 10-11, in Vanderhoof. Our field season wrapped up with the annual juvenile sturgeon sampling occurring on the Nechako River. Tagging of the hatchery-reared juvenile sturgeon also recently took place prior to their release (October & November). It was a hectic past couple of months trying to visit all the communities and give presentations on the fisheries program and sturgeon harm reduction. The staff will be visiting communities throughout the fall and winter (office) season. Priorities are; Takla Lake, Burns Lake and Tl azten. The proposal writing season is upon us and it s of course a busy time to ensure the CSTC has access to funds for next year s priority projects. In addition, data collected this past field season has to be entered and analyzed and we have numerous technical report writing commitments to our funding agencies and partners. Since the field season is over, there are many meetings being held all over the province regarding salmon management, inter-tribal treaties, consultation regarding next year s forecasts and management plans, community dialogues with DFO, and more. See page 8 for a list of upcoming meetings. Please attend whenever possible, we need to get the message out to the Government that the fish are vital to our diet and our culture. Inside this issue: p.2 Field season p.4 Salmon run size summaries p.5 Nechako white sturgeon release p.6 Meetings p.7 Partner focus p.8 Calendar of events A five month old juvenile sturgeon, Nov 9, 2007 Community meetings Post-season, current fisheries issues, and White Sturgeon, will be some of the topics covered at meetings to be held with Takla Lake First Nation and Tl azten Nation in mid January 2008 (Jan tentatively). Additional meetings with the remaining six member bands will commence in February Student releasing a juvenile sturgeon Oct 10th, 2007 CSTC Website:

2 Page 2 Field Projects for 2007 Save Our Sturgeon: Second annual juvenile sturgeon release. CSTC s fisheries staf assisted with the student s juvenile release event, which was a huge success. It took place at Riverside Park in Vanderhoof on October 10-11, There were a total of 1213 four month old Nechako white sturgeon released over the two day event. Students attended from Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Nadleh Whut en, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Tl azt en, and Nak azdli. The students ranged in grades form pre-school Aboriginal Headstart to Grade 7, with all classes in between. Eighteen High School students volunteered their time both days from Nechako Valley Secondary School. Three stations were set up for the groups to rotate through. Station 1 was the picnic area where students were introduced to Christina Ciesielski, CSTC talking to students about the biology of white sturgeon during the juvenile release event. white sturgeon facts, the endangered status of the sturgeon, the work done by the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative (NWSRI), including the plan to build a permanent facility in Vanderhoof to rear sturgeon and house an interpretive centre. A young student receives some help releasing his sturgeon. Station 2 was the release site. Students received a certificate with their sturgeon s PIT tag number and the name they chose for their fish. Next, a volunteer accompanied them down to the Nechako River where their juvenile sturgeon was released. Some of the most popular names included; N e m o a n d Sharky. Station 3 was the hatchery site. Students were told about the different programs associated with the breeding program, as well as those done for research. Next, the students went on a tour of the hatchery, w h e r e t h e y learned about fish rearing. The younger students were by far the most keen, with lots of questions. All the students left with a fridge magnet, brochure, handouts and an awesome experience. On the second day speeches were provided by Vanderhoof Mayor Len Fox, the President of the Freshwater Fisheries of BC Society (FFSBC), Don Peterson, Fisheries Minister Barry Penner and a welcome from Councilor Albert George from Saik uz First Nation. Canada Post representative Ken Buker unveiled the endangered species white sturgeon stamp. For more information go to: Early Stuart Sockeye Enumeration The enumeration of the Driftwood river and other spawning systems was conducted in July and August. The crew consisted of Margo French, Albert Raphael, Jeano Nooski, Patrick Stubbington, Douglas West, Alex Robbins, and Willy McIntosh. The numbers of Early Stuart sockeye escaping to the Takla-Trembleur system was extremely poor this year (5400 fish). This is the lowest return for this cycle-year in 44years. Kids gaze at a tank full of sturgeon Sturgeon By-Catch & Harm Reduction CSTC staff continued to promote mechanisms for white sturgeon harm reduction within CSTC member First Nation s sockeye food fisheries. Posters were distributed describing what to do if you catch a sturgeon in your fishing net, as well as the people to contact. Christina held meetings in Nak azdli, Nadleh Whut en, Stelat en, Saik uz and Wet suwet en to talk about the Nechako white sturgeon and setup reporting protocols with each community. Catch Monitors were established for Nak azdli (Kelsey Sam), Saik uz (Albert George), Takla (Suzie Charlie), Nadleh Whut en (Jeano Nooski) and Bear Lake (Tommy Patrick). Fishing started around August 5 and everyone was done by September 23. The fish arrived later this year, and of course there were far fewer of them. Many people went west to the Skeena system to get their fish. Jeano Nooski, Nadleh Whut en

3 Page 3 Field Projects for 2007 continued Juvenile Sampling for White Sturgeon Juvenile sampling started in August and continued until November 9th. Sampling took place on the Nechako River from upstream of Vanderhoof to downstream of the Stuart River confluence. None of the hatchery reared juveniles released in the fall of Jako Prince and Colin Helin holding a juvenile sturgeon caught on the Nechako River. Jeano Nooski is seen in the back. No beach seine fishery for Sockeye in the Nautley River was possible in 2006 due to the low numbers of returning Stellako sockeye and the high water conditions that still prevail. Endako Chinook T h e E n d ak o River and Shovell Creek were surveyed for Chinook in late August. Dennis Ableson and Patrick Stubbington conducted the field work. The numbers of fish recorded in both the Endako River and Shovell Creek were the lowest recorded since The minimum spawning escapement was 36 fish, indicating the population is in danger of dis appear ing. CSTC Field crew taking measurements on a juvenile sturgeon were caught, which Numerous boat-based and isn t unexpected considering the difficulties in cap- aerial surveys of radio tagged white sturgeon turing fish in this size were conducted through range. Three wildspawned sturgeon under the Summer and into the Fall. A total of 3 of the radio tagged hatchery 1m were captured. Selective Fishery reared juvenile sturgeon released in 2006 were detected. The movements of tagged adults were monitored for various purposes. Nadina Sockeye Enumeration Over-flights of the Nadina River for the purposes of sockeye enumeration and habitat assessment were completed in August. A carcass recovery survey (dead pitch) was also comp l e t e d i n A u g u s t / September. Aboriginal Env ironmental Technician Training Program Several CSTC community members took part in a five week training program hosted by Saik uz. The program and trainers were provided by Malaspina University College. White Sturgeon Hatchery After the public release event there were still over A managem e n t p l a n being reared for release juvenile sturgeon should be developed be- to be scute marked, PIT These remaining fish had tween DFO and tagged, and measured for CSTC before length and weight before next field season - Taken Twenty-nine of the largest they could be released. from final report sturgeon (averaging 49g submitted by D. Ableson to CSTC. Telemetry for radio- t agged sturgeon Mike Keehn (Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC) operating on a sturgeon. Bill sedating a sturgeon prior to insertion of a sonic tag by Mike Keehn, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. and 27cm in length) were chosen for sonic tag implantation. These tags will emit a unique acoustic signal underwater which can be detected by a hydro acoustic receiver. The hatchery operations would not have been possible without the FFSBC. Mike Keehn, Geoff Giesbrecht, Ken Scheer, Don Peterson and Ray Billings were key players in making this partnership a success. Read more on p.7... Mike Keehn demonstrating how to scute mark a juvenile sturgeon, prior to the school release. Joyce Miller, CSTC, PIT tagging juveniles in October.

4 Page 4 Sockeye Run-Sizes for 2007 and Food Fishing Crisis Target spawner escapement levels were as follows, Early Stuart 45,000 Nadina 7,200 Late Stuart 63,700 Stellako 102,500 Early Stuart Run Escapements The preliminary estimate of the 2007 Early Stuart Run sockeye escapement totals 5,346 of which 2,579 were adult males, 2,767 were adult females and 0 were jacks. This escapement is 41% of both the brood year (13,166) and in-season spawning escapement target (13,000) and is 46% of the PSC in-season estimate of potential escapement of 11,600 (accounting for inriver harvest estimates above Mission). The 2007 Early Stuart escapement represents the fifth consecutive cycle year decline relative to the brood year (cycle year escapements have decreased 96% since 1987) and is the lowest escapement observed on this cycle since Due to abnormally high water levels in the Stuart system during 2007 Early Stuart spawning period, enumeration fences were not possible at Forfar and Dust creeks. High water also caused a breach in the Kynock Creek counting fence during the peak migration, preventing a complete census through the fence and eliminating it for use as an index for other streams. Sockeye were reported to be in good condition on their arrival to the spawning grounds with no evidence to indicate they encountered significant migration difficulties [i.e. incidence of net marks, hook marks, symptoms of general disease (body discolouration or circular blotches, small white spots, fungus) and wounds] in sockeye inspected through the enumeration fences was 4%, 5%, 3% and 7%, respectively. Although water levels were notably higher than average on most creeks, physical conditions on the spawning grounds appeared conducive to successful spawning. Water temperatures remained within acceptable ranges (5.5 o C to 16.5 o C) for the duration of the spawning period. Spawning success averaged 86.0% in 2007, below both the brood year and long term cycle averages of 96.8% and 90.4%, respectively. The largest Early Stuart Run stocks in 2007 (collectively accounting for 79% of the run) were observed in Kynock Creek (1,812), Forfar Creek (1,055), Rossette Creek (824) and Felix Creek (520). It should be noted however, that due to low spawner abundance in 2007, access to carcasses for the determination of spawning success was limited and weighted towards the earliest arrivals. Therefore estimates of spawning success may be biased low. This data is from Fisheries and Oceans, based on catch monitor data, Fishwheel numbers and FOC staff analysis. The Early Summer Run Stocks The Early Summer Run consists of several stocks that spawn predominantly in small streams and lakes in seven geographic areas within the Fraser River watershed: Lower Fraser; Seton-Anderson; South Thompson; North Thompson, Chilcotin, Nechako and Upper Fraser watersheds. Stocks within this timing group enter the lower Fraser River from mid July to mid August and migrate immediately upstream to terminal spawning areas. Spawners begin arriving on spawning grounds in early August, with peak of spawning from late August to mid September. Die-off is generally complete by late September. The only Early Summer stocks returning to the Nechako watershed spawn in the Nadina River watershed at the top end of Francois Lake. These stocks are supported by the Nadina Spawning Channel as well as natural spawning areas in the Nadina River and its tributaries. Escapement in 2007 is estimated at 1773 spawners, 56% of the brood year, and the fourth consecutive decrease in escapement for this cycle year, previously averaging an escapement of 27,640 spawners on this cycle ( cycle average). For more information check the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website at:

5 Page 5 Juvenile Sturgeon School Release Event, October Station 1. The students learn about sturgeon biology, their endangered status and how they can help. A student prepares to release his juvenile sturgeon back into the Nechako River. Above: Phil Taylor (DFO) with a juvenile sturgeon and the certificate, each student received. Students taking a break for lunch in their sturgeon hats! Above: 4- month old juvenile (approx. 20g) ready for release. Right: Roy Argue (DFO) talks to the students about the hatchery facility and rearing young sturgeon from eggs to juveniles. Photo: Fisheries and Oceans Above:Students geting their sturgeon s Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag scanned prior to release. Left:...and then there was cake, a sturgeon cake no less! Photo: Fisheries and Oceans Left: Canada Post Sturgeon stamp unveiling. Left to right; Minister of Environment Barry Penner, Mayor of Vanderhoof Len Fox, Canada Post representative Ken Buker and MLA John Rustad Photo: Fisheries and Oceans

6 Page 6 Fisheries Meetings this fall Pacific Salmon Treaty; Chinook Annex: Paul MacGillivray (DFO) came to Prince George on October 31, to present information on the upcoming renewal of the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Chapter 5 (annex) on Chinook to the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA). Main discussion topics include; 1. ways to reduce the impact on Washington and Oregon bound Chinook by Alaska and Canada. 2. How to manage the fisheries for genetically unique stocks (Fraser bound Chinook) Inter-Tribal Fisheries agreement for the Fraser River A two day session was held in Lillooet, October 17-18th. Bill Shepert, CSTC Fisheries Program Manager and Catherine Lessard, CSTC Vice-tribal chief were in attendance representing the CSTC. First Nations from all along the Fraser River watershed met to discuss a way to deal with the low numbers of returning sockeye, and how to accommodate al First Nations needs along the river. It was suggested that the treaty encompass five Nations, so as to move away from Band by Band discussions and management. Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) A two day session was held November 1-2, in Prince George to discuss this new initiative by Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to encourage commercial fishers to trade-in or sell their licenses in favour of community held licences. The program is also designed to encourage Interior First Nations to apply for commercial licenses. This would divert part of the total allowable catch (TAC) from the south and north coast marine areas to the interior of BC, where stocks can be fished more selectively. The main issue the participants had was that it is hard to consider starting commercially based harvest when there weren t enough salmon for food, social and ceremonial needs. DFO kept stating that this meeting was not about First Nations food fish needs. How can one not think of that when all across CSTC territory people did not catch enough Photo:CSTC Jim Webb, Tl azt en Fisheries Manager and Bill Shepert at the November PICFI meeting in Prince George. fish to feed their families, let alone have a surplus to sell. Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA): The latest meeting was held Nov 15, in Prince George. Topics for discussion included; the PICFI model, upcoming Chinook annex renewal, post-season reviews, pre-season forecasts for 2008, and FSC sharing process development, and internal business. CSTC Website We will continue to add more fisheries information to the site, and update it regularly. There are plenty of photos of recent work, the public juvenile sturgeon release event, and other fisheries projects. There are also links to other websites, old issues of and fisheries reports. We would love to have any fisheries-related historical photos from the various communities - that people may wish to share. If you have any you would like to see posted on the website please contact us. Photo:CSTC Left to right: Les Jantz (DFO), Linda Stevens (DFO, Williams Lake), Harold Prince (former Nak azdli Chief) and Marcel Shepert (UFFCA). For more information on these topics: PICFI contact: Paul MacGillivray at: MacgillivrayP@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca Pacific Salmon Treaty; go to the Fisheries and Oceans website at:

7 Partner Focus: Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC of their staff; Mike Keehn The CSTC s fisheries staf and Geoff Giesbrecht, continued to play an active work on the Nechako role in white sturgeon white sturgeon conservation fish culture project hatchery activities. This year, as in previous years, from April until late November. the Nechako white sturgeon recovery initiative s juvenile sturgeon rearing program would not have gone ahead and succeeded without the time, knowledge and in-kind contributions made by the FFSBC. The FFSBC is based out of Victoria. It is a nonprofit organization who works in partnership with the provincial government to deliver fish stocking programs as well as providing conservation fish culture services that support steelhead and sturgeon recovery programs. Excerpt taken from the F F S B C w e b s i t e : Ray Billings, FFSBC, Vice-president of Operations and Kathi Zimmerman, MacGregor Model Forest, projects coordinator. Page 7 The FFSBC s trout distribution facility in Prince George is a key component of the Nechako white sturgeon culturing program. The society had two This year 8 adult sturgeon were collected for the brood stock program, spawned in Prince George in late May, then returned to the Nechako River. Anna the largest female (300lbs) was released at Riverside Park in Vanderhoof June 1st to a huge crowd of kids, local community members and dignitaries. The rearing of the sturgeon is a 24-hour endeavor from its onset. After the eggs were fertilized, they were transported to the Vanderhoof pilot hatchery. Once the eggs hatch and larvae have used up their yolk sac, they begin to receive solid food. It was at this stage of development that the fish had to be moved back t o P r i n c e George, due to the flooding that occurred in Vanderhoof. Most of the juveniles spent the remainder of the season growing in Prince George. One of the largest five month old juvenile sturgeon, approx 38 grams in weight. The school release event on Oct 10-11, in Vanderhoof was a huge success (see article p. 3) The number of juvenile white sturgeon released this year occurred as follows: School release on Oct 10-11: 1,213 sturgeon, second release in October: 1, sturgeon, and the third release on Nov 10: 1, sturgeon for a total of 4324 juveniles released this year! Mike Keehn, demonstrating how to insert a PIT tag. Michael Keehn (Mr. Sturgeon) Born and raised in Salmon Arm, BC, Mike g r a d u a t e d f r o m Lethbridge Community College with a degree in Environmental Science. He started working with the FFSBC in In 2006 Mike became involved with the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative (NWSRI), while he was the assistant manager of the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Facility. This year he was promoted to Manager. When not working in Vanderhoof and Prince George, Mike resides in Cranbrook with his wife and eight year old son. Mike Keehn, and school children checking out the juvenile sturgeon in the transport tank.

8 LhoDus t l us Calendar of Events November 15: Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) meeting in Prince George December 5: Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) workshop at Prince George Native Friendship Centre December 11: Fraser Watershed Joint Technical Committee meeting, Abbotsford December 13: UFFCA General Meeting at Prince George Friendship Centre Page 8 December 14: UFFCA/ AAROM Bi-lateral meeting at CSTC, Prince George. December 17: CSTCChi ef smeet i ng,sai k uz January 30-31, 2008 (tentatively): Inter-tribal Fisheries Treaty Conference February 2008: UFFCA Annual General Assembly, Date TBA Thank you... A huge thank you goes out to all those employees, volunteers and partner companies, ministries and non-profit organizations that help make our fisheries programs a huge success each year. Alcan; Justus Benckhuysen Doug West, Alex Robinson, Patrick Stubbington, Dennis Ableson, Joyce Miller, Jeano Nooski and support staff. Ministry of Environment; Cory Williamson Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative; Carla WainFisheries and Oceans Canada; wright, Brian Frenckel, Erin Phil Taylor, Al Charbonneau, Kearns. Linda Stevens, Roy Argue, University of BC (UBC); Steve Freshwater Fisheries Society of CTSC; Bill Shepert, Christina BC; Mike Keehn, Geoff GiesCiesielski, Brian Toth, Cora brecht, Ken Scheer, Ray BillMcIntosh, Jako Prince, Albert ings, and Don Peterson. Raphael, Willy McIntosh, Macgregor Model Forest; Kathi Margo French, Colin Helin, Zimmerman McAdam (MoE) Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA); Lisa Hardy, Marcel Shepert, Dr. Dave Levy and Pete Nicklin. CSTC Website: Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Suite th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3N2 Toll free: Fax: Jak opr i nce,nak az dl i ; Our Employee of the year! Fisheries Program Manager Bill Shepert Phone: ext.228 Cell: bshepert@cstc.bc.ca Senior Program Technician Christina Ciesielski Phone: ext.238 cciesielski@cstc.bc.ca