PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN SALMON TAKU RIVER, B.C. JUNE 1, 2001 TO MAY

Transcription

1 PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN SALMON TAKU RIVER, B.C. JUNE 1, 2001 TO MAY 31, 2002 Oncorhynchus spp This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan is intended for general purposes only. Where there is a discrepancy between the Plan and the Fisheries Act and Regulations, the Act and Regulations are the final authority. A description of Areas and Subareas referenced in this Plan can be found in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations.

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CONTACTS FOR GLOSSARY INTRODUCTION POLICY BIOLOGICAL SYNOPSIS Sockeye Chinook Coho Chum Pink OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY Participants First Nations Fishery Commercial Fishery Recreational Fishery Locations of the Fisheries Time Frame for Fishing Seasons Landings and Markets CONSULTATIVE PROCESS Taku River Tlingit First Nation: AFS Consultation Taku River Salmon Management Committee Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Transboundary Panel Management Style STOCK STATUS Sockeye Chinook Coho Interactions Between Species Stock Assessment and Research Processes Sockeye Salmon Coho Salmon Chinook Salmon Pink, Chum and Steelhead CURRENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES Pacific Salmon Treaty Uncertain Returns Uncertain Market Conditions Habitat Golden Bear Mine Tulsequah Chief Mine SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES Spawning Escapement Requirements Chinook Sockeye Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 1 of 40

4 Coho Pink Chum Allocations International Sockeye Salmon Coho Salmon Chinook Salmon First Nations Commercial Recreational Long Term Objectives for the Fisheries MANAGEMENT MEASURES In-season Management Commercial Fisheries First Nations Fisheries Recreational Fisheries Control and Monitoring of the Fisheries Licensing Communal Experimental, Scientific, Educational or Public Display Purposes Recreational Commercial Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) Licence PROSPECTS FOR THE SEASON Sockeye Salmon Expected Outcome Chinook Salmon Expected Outcome Coho Salmon Expected Outcome Pink Salmon Expected Outcome Chum Salmon Expected Outcome ENFORCEMENT ISSUES AND STRATEGIES Overview of Challenges Investigations / Violations / Warnings Priorities for Focus for Equipment Air Surveillance Other Enforcement Interests PROGRESS ON LONG TERM OBJECTIVES Meeting obligations contained in the Pacific Salmon Treaty Conserving and Restoring Spawning Stocks and Habitats Developing and/or Maintaining Sustainable and Viable Canadian Fisheries...37 Page 2 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

5 14.4. Strategically Enhancing Selected Stocks Chronology of Key Events MEASUREMENT OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES PERFORMANCE REVIEW Objectives Post Season Review APPENDICES Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 3 of 40

6 1. CONTACTS FOR 2001 Fisheries and Oceans Canada Contacts Name Position Location Phone Gord Zealand A/Area Director Whitehorse Sandy Johnston Chief, Fisheries Mgt. and Stock Assessment Whitehorse Ian Boyce Stock Assessment Biologist Whitehorse Gerry Coukell Chief Conservation and Protection Whitehorse Eero Karanka Habitat Biologist Smithers Mary Ellen Jarvis AFS Coordinator Whitehorse Steve Smith Field Supervisor, C&P Whitehorse Scott Herron Fisheries Technician Canyon Island Taku Salmon Management Committee Name Position Location Phone Gord Zealand Chair Whitehorse Keith Carlick TRTFN Atlin Robert Geisbrecht Taku Commercial Fisher Atlin Ray Kendel TBR Panel & comm. fisher Cortez Island, BC Len Parisien Taku Commercial Fisher Atlin Nina Tevely TRTFN Atlin John Ward TRTFN Atlin Vacant TRTFN Vacant Recreational fishing rep Pacific Salmon Treaty Memberships Pacific Salmon Treaty Transboundary Panel Name Position Location Phone Gord Zealand Co-Chair Whitehorse Stefan Jacob Member (Stikine) Dease Lake Yvonne Tashoots Member (FN Stikine) Telegraph Creek Ray Kendel Member (Taku) Cortez Island John Ward Member FN (Taku) Atlin Ron Chambers Member (FN Alsek) Haines Jct British Columbia Government Contacts Name Position Location Phone Dana Y. Atagi A/ Head of Fisheries Smithers, BC Toby Sprado Conservation Officer Atlin, BC Page 4 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

7 2. GLOSSARY SPA Scale patterns analysis: spawning streams will create varying, unique scale patterns that allow specific point of origin assessments to be made. 0+ juveniles Salmon in their first year of life. AFS ADF&G brood year by-catch coded-wire tag (CWT) Communal Licence communal commercial licence cut bank Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy Alaska Department of Fish and Game The parental year for a group of returning salmon, i.e. the calendar year when the parents of these fish spawned. Incidental or unintentional catch of non-target stocks or species. A small metal tag inserted into the nose of a juvenile salmon (usually hatchery stock) prior to release or migration to the ocean. The tag has encoded information that indicates the origin and year of release of the fish. Issued to First Nations' organizations pursuant to the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations to carry on fishing and related activities. Issued to First Nations' organizations pursuant to the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations for participation in the general commercial fishery. Licences issued are equivalent to the capacity of licences that have been retired under the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) Licence Retirement/Allocation Transfer Program. A stream bank undercut by water flow. spawning escapement The number of salmon that reach the spawning grounds. border escapement enhancement The number of salmon that escape U.S. fisheries and reach the Canada/U.S border. Use of hatcheries, spawning channels, lake fertilization or habitat restoration to increase the survival rate or production of salmon at some stage of its life Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 5 of 40

8 ESSR exploitation rate gill net Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements. This fishery occurs when salmon stocks return to a system after passing through the various fisheries and are at a level in excess of the capacity of the spawning grounds or enhancement facility, usually a hatchery, to receive them. Expressed as percentage, the proportion of the total return of adult salmon in a given year that dies as a result of fishing activity. A rectangular net that does not enclose an area of water, and is used to catch fish by enmeshing them. A detailed description is available through the Internet at: freshet fecundity HEB headwater tributaries HRSEP IFMP in-migration landed or landing landing hail mark recapture natal stream observer Spring stream runoff. The capacity to propagate (generally expressed in terms of number of eggs). Habitat and Enhancement Branch. The streams where runoff begins. Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement Program. Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. Movement of salmon from the oceans to rivers and spawning streams. The transfer of catch from a licensed vessel to land (including docks and wharves). Report required by licence condition as notification prior to landing or off-loading catch at the end of a fishing trip. A method used to estimate population size whereby fish are live-captured, tagged and released. Subsequent recapture rates are used to generate estimates. Stream of origin. An individual who has been designated as an observer by the Regional Director General of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for Page 6 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

9 Pacific Region pursuant to section 39 of the Fishery (General) Regulations, available through the Internet at: on-board out-migration PST PFRCC PSARC PSC packer R/S RCMP recruitment run size Salmon Area Referring to that which takes place or exists on the licensed fishing vessel as compared to on land. Movement of juvenile salmon from natal streams/lakes to rivers, then the ocean. Pacific Salmon Treaty Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee Pacific Salmon Commission A vessel licensed to pack or transport commercially caught fish. Number of adult returns per brood year spawner. Royal Canadian Mounted Police The process whereby young fish are added to an adult population. The number of salmon returning to a given system in a given year. One of six areas on the Pacific coast. For salmon seine there are two areas, Salmon Area A (north coast) and Salmon Area B (south coast); for gill net there are three areas, Salmon Area C (north coast), Salmon Area D (portion of south coast) and Salmon Area E (portion of south coast and the Fraser River); for troll there are three areas, Salmon Area F (north coast), Salmon Area G (WCVI and Queen Charlotte Strait), and Salmon Area H (Johnstone and Georgia Strait). Further detail is available through the Internet at: salmonid A fish belonging to Family Salmonidae, which includes salmon, trouts, chars, whitefish and grayling Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 7 of 40

10 seine Includes a purse seine and a drag seine. Seine nets are set in a circle around aggregations of fish; the bottom edges of the net are then drawn together into a purse to prevent escape of the fish. A detailed description is available through the Internet at: selective fishing sibling forecast stakeholder stock assessment stock Subarea The ability to avoid non-target species and stocks or, if encountered, to release them alive and unharmed. A forecast that uses the number of salmon of age-x to predict the number of age-(x+1) salmon returning the following year. Used interchangeably with the term resource-user, to include all users of fisheries resources including First Nations, recreational and commercial fishers of fish, marine mammals and aquatic plants. Depending on the fishery, it may also include crewmembers or charter services, and other parties that provide support to the various fisheries. Analysis of fisheries and research data used to estimate stock abundance and health, or evaluate the effects of fishing on a stock or population and predict the reactions of populations to alternative management choices. A biologically discrete population. Fish species are made up of an aggregate of stocks. A portion of an Area, as in Section 2 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, available through the Internet at: subsistence fishery TAC thermal regime trolling A fishery that fills a basic need for food purposes. Total allowable catch. Temperature variances found in a stream or streams. Fishing with a hook or hooks attached to a line that is towed through the water or from a vessel. Commercial trollers employ hooks and lines that are suspended from large poles extending from the fishing vessel. A detailed description is available through the Internet at: Page 8 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

11 USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service 2001 Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 9 of 40

12 3. INTRODUCTION Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is committed to achieving long term goals of salmon conservation, responsible management and improved decision-making processes through consultation with those who have an interest in the resource. The Department is the primary instrument of salmon management in British Columbia and operates in partnership with provincial agencies such as the British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry Renewal B.C. on some habitat issues, and others as required. Contact names for each agency are identified Section 1. This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) covers a one-year span, June 1, 2001 to May 31, It is aimed toward the management of chinook, sockeye, coho, pink and chum salmon in the Taku River. Reference is also made to steelhead, however the British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for management of this species. This document contains a brief overview of the Taku River salmon fisheries and is meant to inform fishers, processors and other interested parties about the expected run sizes, management considerations and plans for the 2001 season. As the United States (U.S.) fishery at the mouth of the Taku River has significant influence on the salmon that return to the Canadian section of the drainage, there are several references to Alaskan fisheries and the Canada/U.S. Pacific Salmon Treaty provisions that were renewed in Prior to its finalisation, this plan has undergone extensive review and consultation with stakeholders and users of the fishery and contains revisions where appropriate based on advice received. Responsibility for implementing the IFMP rests with the Yukon/Transboundary Area office of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. DFO personnel working in both the field and in Whitehorse accomplish in-season management. The national Fisheries and Oceans Canada web-site address is: The Pacific Region site can be reached through the national site or at: 4. POLICY Significant policy reform has occurred in Pacific Region salmon management programs in the past six years. Continued change and evolution of new policy is expected to occur for the next several years. These policy changes are being guided by both international and domestic considerations, both of which highlight a commitment to manage marine resources in an ecosystem-based, precautionary approach that stresses the importance of integrated management and conserving biological diversity. Page 10 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

13 In October 1998, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans presented a vision for the future through the release of A New Direction for Canada s Pacific Salmon Fisheries. This paper sets out a broad policy direction for management of the salmon fisheries. The paper has formed the basis of a permanent move to conservation-based salmon fisheries management in the Pacific Region. This new direction has three key components: a) Conservation b) Sustainable Use c) Improved Decision Making A number of new policy initiatives have been initiated based on the principles of this paper, including a salmon allocation framework, a selective fishing protocol and discussion papers on the management of wild salmon stocks and improved decision-making. Additional policy papers are expected to follow under the New Directions policy series. Salmon management programs in 2001 (and future years) will continue to be guided by these policy initiatives. More information on these policies can be found at: 5. BIOLOGICAL SYNOPSIS 5.1. Sockeye In the Pacific coastal drainages of North America, primary spawning grounds of sockeye salmon extend from the Columbia River, Washington to the Kuskokwim River in Alaska. Sockeye have also been observed infrequently further north off the Arctic coast as far east as Banks and Victoria islands, Northwest Territories. Sockeye salmon also occur along the Asian coast of the Pacific Ocean with major spawning populations located on the Kamchatka Peninsula (in: Groot and Margolis, 1991). The Taku River drainage contains significant populations of spawning and rearing sockeye salmon. Spawning occurs in lakes throughout the drainage (e.g. Little Trapper, Tatsamenie, Kuthai lakes), as well as in the mainstem of the river and side-channels. Most adult spawners enter the Taku River between mid-june through August. Taku River sockeye exhibit a diverse age structure. The average ( ) age composition of returning adults is approximately 50.0% age 1.3 1, 22.3% age 1.2, 8.9% age 0.3, 5.3% age 2.2, 5.0% age 0.2, 4.6% age 2.3, 3.2% age 1.1 and < 1% for each of ages 0.1, 2.1, 0.4, 1.4, 3.2, 2.4, The decimal point separates the number of winters spent in freshwater as a juvenile (first digit) from the number of winters spent in the ocean. Therefore, an age 1.3 fish migrated seaward after rearing for one winter in freshwater as a fry or pre-smolt and returned to spawn after spending 3 years in the ocean. The total age of the fish is the sum of the two numbers plus one additional year to account for the incubation period Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 11 of 40

14 Spawning occurs from late July through October. The eggs hatch the following spring. The length of time that juveniles spend in freshwater varies from a few weeks (for the majority of the mainstem fish) to three years (for portions of some lake-rearing populations). However, freshwater residence is usually one or two years. Smoltification and seaward migration normally occurs in the spring with peak downstream migration in late May and June. Taku River sockeye salmon spend from one to four years in the ocean before they return as adults to spawn Chinook 5.3. Coho Chinook salmon are found from central California to the northern Pacific coast of Alaska and infrequently along the Arctic coast as far east as the Mackenzie River and perhaps the Coppermine River, N.W.T. Spawning stocks along the Asian coast extend from northern Japan to the Amadyr River, which enters into the northern portion of the Bering Sea (in: Groot and Margolis, 1991). Of the Canadian transboundary and U.S. river systems that drain into southeast Alaska, the Taku River produces the most chinook salmon. Spawning populations of chinook salmon in the Taku River drainage are considered to be spring run. Most adult spawners enter the Taku River between early May and early July. The average ( , ) age composition of returning adult chinook salmon in the lower Taku River is as follows: 37.1% age 1.2, 33.2% age 1.3, 16.9% age 1.4, 8.1% age 1.1, 1.9% age 2.2, 1.4% age 2.3 and <1% for each of ages 2.1, 1.5, 2.4, and 0.2 (Kelly and Milligan, 1999). Spawning occurs from late July through September in a number of tributaries (e.g. Nakina, Nahlin, Tatsatua, Kowatua). Juveniles emerge the following spring and almost all rear in river for one year (a few migrate to the ocean after emerging while others spend an additional year in freshwater) before smolting and migrating to the ocean. Fry are known to migrate from natal streams to non-natal streams/rivers to rear. Out-migration of smolts generally occurs from late April through June. Taku River chinook salmon spend from one to five years in the ocean before they return as adults to spawn. Fish maturing after one or two years in the ocean are mostly males, while on average, 50% of the older fish are females. Coho salmon are found in the north Pacific Ocean with a range extending from California to Korea. The centre of abundance is between the state of Washington and Southeast Alaska (Groot and Margolis, 1991). Coho spawn and rear in freshwater, and generally migrate to the ocean after one or two years. Taku River coho are known to spawn and rear throughout the watershed, from the Taku estuary to small headwater tributaries. The aggregate Taku coho stock is composed of many separate Page 12 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

15 components, or sub-stocks 2, of varying size and diverse habitat usage. The adult spawning migration begins in mid-july and extends through November and possibly longer. Spawning is known to occur from mid-august through to December. Emergence timing is dependent on both incubation water temperature and the time of year egg deposition occurs. It is probable that fry emergence occurs from mid-april to mid-june. Offshore migration routes and behaviour of Taku River coho are largely unknown. The main migration route of returning adults is through S.E. Alaska waters via Cross Sound, Icy Strait, and Lynn Canal (Mcpherson et al. 1998). The average Taku coho egg production (fecundity), is not known but is likely comparable to other northern coho stocks which range from 2,500 to 5,000 eggs per female, depending on fish size (Hart 1973). The average length (mid-eye to fork of tail), of adults sampled at Canyon Island near the Canada/U.S. border during the period was 58.5 cm (DFO Whitehorse, unpublished data). The age composition of adult coho salmon sampled in the lower Taku River at Canyon Island over the 1983 to 1997 period averaged: 52.8% age 1.1, 46.9% age 2.1, and <1% for each of ages 3.1, 2.0, 1.0, 4.0 (Kelly and Milligan, 1999). Juvenile Taku coho spend a variable amount of time rearing in fresh water, ranging from a few months up to three years. The age composition of adult coho sampled at Canyon Island near the Canada/U.S. border from indicates that on average, approximately 55% of Taku coho rear for 2 years in fresh water (Mcpherson et al. 1998). Taku coho smolts migrate from the end of April to the latter part of June, with the peak migration occurring during May 15 through May Chum (Groot and Margolis, 1991). Chum salmon have the widest natural geographic distribution of all Pacific salmon species. In North America they are found from the San Lorenzo River in Monterey, California to as far north and east into the Mackenzie River system. In Asia, they occur in Japan, along the Okhotsk and Kamchatka coasts into the Arctic and westward to the Laptev Sea, northern Russia Two sub-species of chum have been identified, summer chum and fall chum. Fall chum can be distinguished by a number of factors: later entrance into spawning streams, less developed reproductive systems at the time of entry into these streams, later spawning period, larger size, and greater fecundity. Significant numbers of enhanced summer chum from Alaska hatchery programs are found in marine waters adjacent to the mouth of the Taku River. Although summer chum do not ascend the Taku River, natural populations of fall chum are found in the drainage. Spawning occurs in groundwater fed areas throughout (Groot and Margolis, 1991). 2 For the purposes of this paper, the term sub-stock is used to define a localized spawning population that possesses some degree of genetic uniqueness through adaptation to local environmental conditions and/or reproductive isolation Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 13 of 40

16 Adult spawners enter the Taku River from August through September. Spawning occurs from mid-september through November (and possibly later) and fry emerge the following spring. Smoltification and seaward migration occur shortly afterward; Taku River chum are not known to overwinter in freshwater. They spend from two to five years in the ocean before they return as adults to spawn. However, the vast majority return after three or four years in the ocean Pink Pink salmon are the most abundant species of Pacific salmon. Spawning populations are found from central California, north and east to near the Mackenzie River system. In Asia, pink salmon distribution extends from Korea, north along the Pacific coast and into the Arctic as far west as the Lena River in northern Russia (Groot and Margolis, 1991). The Taku River frequently supports large numbers of spawners. Mature fish enter the Taku River from late June through August, with the bulk of the migration occurring in July. Spawning occurs from August to November and fry emerge the following spring. As with chum salmon, smoltification and seaward migration occur shortly afterward; the species is not known to overwinter in freshwater. After only eighteen months in the ocean they return as adults to spawn. 6. OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY 6.1. Participants There are three groups of fishers that utilize the Canadian portion of the Taku river salmon run: First Nation, commercial and recreational fishers First Nations Fishery The First Nation that fishes the Taku River drainage is the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) with primary offices located in Atlin, B.C. Fishing gear consists primarily of set and drift gill nets. One fishwheel has also been used in recent years. After conservation needs are met, priority in terms of allocation is to fulfil the Section 35 constitutional priority of the First Nations fishery. This priority has been re-affirmed by a series of Supreme Court rulings, (i.e. Sparrow, NTC Smokehouse, Delgamuukw, Nikal). All other fisheries, therefore, are managed to accommodate the fundamental priorities of conservation and First Nations fishery requirements Commercial Fishery The commercial fishery on the Taku system was established in Currently there are sixteen licences available to fish commercially, including four First Nation licences held under an Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) agreement. Gear consists of drift and set gill nets Recreational Fishery Page 14 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

17 Due to its relative inaccessibility, the Taku drainage has not yet been subject to heavy recreational fishing activity. Commercial guiding operations are located on the Nakina and Tatsatua rivers. In 1999 there were eight guiding licences issued by the province for the Taku drainage Locations of the Fisheries The Taku River commercial fishing area extends from fishery boundary signs located approximately 50 meters upstream of the international border, upstream to boundary signs located near a geological feature locally known as Yellow Bluff, approximately 18 kilometres upstream from the international border. The area does not include Flannigan's Slough and South Fork Lake and outlet channel, which are marked with fishing boundary signs. Most of the fishing by the TRTFN also occurs in the commercial fishing area. A small amount occurs on tributaries such as the Nakina River. The recreational fishery is distributed throughout the headwater tributaries. Notable areas include the Nakina River, Tatsamenie Lake and outlet stream, Nahlin and Sheslay rivers. Fishery locations are outlined in Appendix Time Frame for Fishing Seasons The commercial fishery usually commences the second or third week of June and continues through the first week of October. First Nations fishing takes place primarily during the commercial fishery season as outlined above, but may also be conducted in May or early June, and into October. The recreational fishery is open year round, with the exception of dates that are published in the B.C. Freshwater Salmon Supplement at: www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/english/freshwater/ The supplement is available free of charge from licence vendors as well. Closed times include: a) December 01 to June 30 and August 20 to September 15 from Tatsamenie Lake outlet downstream to Tatsatua Creek; b) December 01 to June 30 and August 20 to September 15 in Kowatua Creek; July 20 to August 15 in the Nakina River. Most fishing for salmon occurs in early to mid-july and mid- to late September Landings and Markets Landing stations have been constructed and operated in the lower river to handle commercially caught salmon. Fish are then transported to commercial buyers via air to 2001 Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 15 of 40

18 Atlin, B.C. or by boat to Juneau, Alaska. Marketed products include fresh frozen, fresh and smoked salmon. Table 1. Salmon landings in the Canadian commercial fishery in the Taku River, Chinook Year Jack Large Sockeye Coho Pink Chum ,177 25,067 3, ,445 29,472 4, ,619 33,217 3, ,065 28,762 14, ,577 32,640 13, ,331 41,665 5, ,731 24,003 2, ,107 19,038 5, ,681 4, ,576 28,009 4, Avg ,754 28,255 6, CONSULTATIVE PROCESS Taku River consultative processes have been developed and are explained below Taku River Tlingit First Nation: AFS Consultation Consultations with the TRTFN relating to the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy occur throughout the year. Meetings are generally arranged by the DFO AFS coordinator. Results of these consultations are contained within a multi-year DFO/TRTFN Fisheries Agreement. The Agreement details fish management and stock assessment programs, enforcement protocols, communal and commercial licences, selective fishing, and the First Nations fishery and communal licence provisions. The TRTFN also participates actively in the Taku River Salmon Management Committee described below. The AFS agreement documents, as well records of consultation sessions and progress on action items, are maintained by the AFS coordinator Taku River Salmon Management Committee The Taku River Salmon Management Committee chaired by the DFO Yukon/ Transboundary Area Director and is comprised of representatives of Taku River salmon resource stakeholders, specifically the TRTFN, and commercial fishers. The recreational fishing representative has not yet been established. Names and phone numbers are listed in Section 1 of this document Membership was established by DFO through consultation with stakeholder groups. Stakeholders chose their representatives internally. The committee is also represented on the Transboundary Panel of the PST to ensure continuity and co-ordination in domestic and international discussions and decisions. The committee meets at least twice annually to develop recommendations pertaining to management plans, conduct post-season reviews, and address issues such as licensing, Page 16 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

19 allocations, licence conditions, etc. Records of meetings and decisions are maintained by the committee chair Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Transboundary Panel One of the arrangements reached in 1999 under the PST was the creation of a Transboundary Panel which began meeting bilaterally in late The Panel provides a forum for Canada/U.S. consultations. Membership on the Canadian section of the Panel is appointed by the Minister, and includes two individuals with Taku River interests (see Section 1 of this document or the PSC web site at: In-season management protocols are, where possible, set in advance of the impending season either in discussions of the Transboundary Technical Committee or the Transboundary Panel. The Technical Committee usually meets three times annually and the Transboundary Panel is tentatively scheduled to meet at least on a biannual basis (generally in conjunction with Pacific Salmon Commission meetings) to examine stock status and review other information relevant to the Transboundary rivers. Records are kept by the Panel and Technical Committee chairs and/or by the Pacific Salmon Commission Management Style The cornerstone of the fishing arrangements negotiated in 1999 under the Pacific Salmon Treaty is abundance-based management. This approach means resource conservation is paramount and harvesting will fluctuate according to actual abundance rather than to pre-set levels. On the Taku River an abundance-based management regime for sockeye salmon has been in place since Similar regimes are being developed for both coho and chinook salmon. For sockeye salmon, in-season management relies on weekly forecasts of the total run size based on estimates of cumulative in river abundance, provided from the joint Canada/U.S. mark-recapture program at Canyon Island, added to marine catches lagged by one week to allow for the time it takes the fish to migrate from the marine fisheries into the river. This sum is then apportioned by historical in river run timing data to provide a seasonal forecast of run strength. The seasonal total allowable catch (TAC) is then calculated by subtracting the escapement target from the projected total run size. The TAC is apportioned by the allocations set out in the PST to give a forecast of the Canadian allowable harvest for the season. Historical timing data from the Canadian fishery is applied to provide weekly guideline harvest levels for management. For example, suppose the mark-recapture estimate of the in river run through week 30 (third week of July) is 60,000 sockeye and the estimated catch of Taku sockeye in District 11 in Alaska is 40,000 through week 29 (the catch of the previous week is used to account for delays in migratory timing into the river). The estimated total run to date at Canyon Island would be 100,000 sockeye salmon. If the historical timing data indicates that on average, 55% of the run has 2001 Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 17 of 40

20 entered the river through week 30, then the forecast of total run would be approximately 182,000 sockeye. With an escapement target of 80,000 sockeye, the TAC forecast for the season would be 102,000 fish of which Canada could harvest approximately 18,000 fish (i.e. 18% of the TAC as per the PST). Historically, if 50% of the Canadian commercial harvest has occurred through week 30, then the guideline cumulative catch through week 30 would be 9,000 sockeye salmon. Fishing time could then be adjusted to bring the cumulative catch in line with the guideline harvest. A similar abundance-based approach is being developed for coho salmon. Marine survival will likely remain the principal determinant of adult Taku coho production. The factors that influence ocean survival are poorly understood, and the phenomena are neither controllable nor currently predictable. The existing fixed minimum escapement management approach will continue to be developed through the use of in-season abundance estimates. This approach was demonstrated to be effective during the low returns experienced in In that year, in-season abundance and preliminary escapement estimates indicated a return considerably below average, with marine harvests only 14% of the average. U.S. conservation efforts directed at the Taku Inlet gill net and the inside troll fisheries, as well as a reduced Canadian in-river fishery, resulted in a below average exploitation rate (36.4%). The result was an escapement (32,300), that was within the target range despite the relatively small total run size of 50,900 fish. Optimizing smolt production, based on stock-recruitment modelling of the aggregate population, may be the most practicable, affordable, and effective management strategy currently available for Taku coho. If the number of spawners reach critically low levels, the stock, or its components, are at considerable risk if changes in the environment and habitat result in abrupt productivity declines. In particular, the smaller components of the aggregate population could be vulnerable, both numerically and through the loss of genetic diversity. It is likely Taku coho will continue to be managed as a single stock because of the difficulty and expense associated with identifying the sub-stock components within the fisheries and differentiating their respective productivity. Managing for optimal smolt production ensures the fullest use of the freshwater carrying capacity by the broadest range of all the stock components. There is considerable interest in developing new directed fisheries both in Canada and the U.S. for Taku chinook salmon. Under the PST, the parties have agreed not to implement new directed fisheries without the consent of both parties. The development of an acceptable abundance-based management regime for chinook salmon is a critical prerequisite to the opening of new fisheries. To this end, joint Canadian and U.S. stock assessment projects will be conducted to continue to develop a similar management system to that of sockeye salmon by developing in-season run forecasts through a mark-recapture program. In addition, a coded- Page 18 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

21 wire tagging program will also be conducted to obtain information on smolt production, ocean survival, and marine distribution and harvest. 8. STOCK STATUS 8.1. Sockeye Utilization of Taku River sockeye salmon occurs in the U.S. commercial gill net fisheries located near the mouth of the Taku River (District 111), and in an in-river personal use fishery. Commercial fisheries located in marine waters outside of District 111 also harvest Taku River sockeye at an assumed interception rate of 5%. In the Canadian portion of the drainage, harvest of sockeye occurs in commercial and First Nations fisheries near the international border. The current Taku River sockeye in river stock assessment program includes: the joint Canada/U.S. mark-recapture project, which involves tag application at Canyon Island just downstream of the border, and tag recovery in the commercial fishery; enumeration weirs at Little Trapper Lake, Tatsamenie Lake, and Kuthai Lake; age-length-sex-otolith sampling at various sites; and enhancement assessment at Little Trapper and Tatsamenie lakes. The interim sockeye salmon escapement goal for the drainage is 71,000 to 80,000 fish. Escapement estimates, derived from tagging studies since the PST took effect in 1985, have either fallen within or exceeded this target range (estimates range from 71,086 in 1997 to 137,514 in The preliminary estimate of the 2000 Taku River terminal sockeye run size 3 is 229,817 fish of which 126,082 were caught in terminal U.S. gill net fisheries, 28,468 were harvested in Canadian fisheries and 75,267 escaped to spawning areas. The terminal run size was 97% of the previous ten-year average; the U.S. catch was 119% of average, the Canadian catch was 102% of average while the escapement was 73% of average Chinook Prior to the mid-1970s Taku River chinook salmon were exploited in commercial and recreational fisheries in the U.S., with annual commercial harvests of greater than 15,000 fish. As part of a program to rebuild south-east Alaskan and Canadian stocks, various restrictions were placed on all U.S. intercepting fisheries (troll, gill net and recreational) beginning in This rebuilding effort was combined with a coast wide rebuilding effort for chinook salmon in conjunction with the Pacific Salmon Treaty and an agreement not to implement new directed fisheries for Taku River chinook salmon. At present, migrating chinook salmon from the Taku River are caught incidentally in a commercial gill net fishery in U.S. waters near the river and in an in river Canadian gill 3 The terminal run size does not include estimates of U.S. marine catches outside the District 111 drift gill net fisheries. Actual catches of Taku-origin stocks in these outside fisheries are unknown; Canada assumes a 5% harvest rate occurs in these fisheries, i.e. the terminal run represents 95% of the total run, whereas the U.S. assumes that the catch amounts to 10% of the D-11 catch of Taku sockeye Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 19 of 40

22 8.3. Coho net fishery. Chinook salmon from the Taku River also constitute a large component of the spring catch in the recreational fishery in marine waters near Juneau and are also caught in low numbers in recreational fisheries in Canadian reaches of the drainage. Since 1975, chinook spawning escapements to the Taku River have been assessed by helicopter aerial counts in six clear water tributaries. Only large chinook salmon, typically those who have spent three or more winters in the ocean, are counted during these surveys because of the difficulty of distinguishing smaller fish from other species. Counts are expanded to obtain drainage-wide population estimates. Expansions are based on limited data associated with mark-recapture estimates of system-wide escapement coupled with corresponding peak annual aerial index counts. In 1988 a study demonstrated that it was possible to mark and recapture sufficient large chinook in the Taku River to estimate escapement (McGregor and Clark, 1989). This method was used in 1989, 1990 and from 1995 through Additional mark-recapture studies have provided smolt abundance data and marine harvest rates. Overall, escapements have been considerably better in the 1990s than in the 1970s and 1980s. The year average index count was 6,137 large spawners. In comparison, the average was 11,474 large spawners. A record index count of 19,777 was observed in Index escapement in 2000 however was only 5,932 fish, which is the third lowest index count since A drainage-wide mark-recapture estimate has not yet been finalised for 2000, however the preliminary estimate is approximately 30,000 chinook, which is at the lower end of the revised system-wide escapement goal range of 30,000 to 55,000 fish. Estimated Taku River coho salmon above-border spawning escapements from 1987 to 1997 have averaged 70,439 (range 32, ,484), well above the interim goals set by U.S. (27,500), and Canadian (35,000) members of the Transboundary Technical Committee (TTC). Stock-recruitment data available for the period suggests there is a density dependent relationship between escapement and smolt production. The data indicates that optimum smolt production occurs at an escapement of approximately 52,000 (95% confidence interval 45,000-59,000). This escapement results in the production of approximately 1,180,000 smolts. Although higher than current escapement goals, this level has been met or exceeded in all but 3 years since The stockrecruitment predictions should be viewed cautiously as they encompass a relatively small data set with a short time series that involved an interval of fluctuating marine survival. However, the stock-recruitment relationship indicates that current escapement goals may warrant revision with the inclusion of future data. Such revision will be conducted by the Transboundary Technical Committee prior to May 01, 2004, as stipulated in the Transboundary Annex of the PST, i.e. Annex IV, Chapter 1. Although the data set is small, the smolt-to-adult survival from 1991 through 1997 exhibits a significant relationship to adult production. Over the same period, adult production is inversely proportional to escapement, however it is not likely a causal relationship. This is evidenced by the absence of a significant relationship between smolt Page 20 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

23 production and adult production. The principal determinant of the variable adult production during the period therefore appears to be marine survival. The recent lower returns experienced during 1996 and 1997 are likely a function of lower marine survival. During this interval, estimated catches and harvest rates also declined, indicating lower returns were due to a decrease in production rather than increased exploitation. The estimated marine survival of Taku coho based on CWT data from 1991 to 1999 reflects variable smolt to adult survival, from a high of 23.0% in 1994, to a low of 6.7% in 1997 (Yanusz et al, 1999). Marine survival of 11 other Southeast Alaska stocks averaged 6.5% during the period (Shaul et al. 1991), suggesting that recent lower Taku coho survivals may not be atypical. Using the U.S. Taku inlet coho catches from 1960 to 1998 as an index of coho production, it is apparent the above average production during the period 1989 through 1995 is an anomaly if considered within the context of the previous 38 year average. The Taku coho production decline could perhaps be interpreted as a return to representative levels Interactions Between Species A wide range of fish and birds are known to prey on juvenile salmon. Principal fish species that predate on juvenile salmon within the Taku River drainage are bull trout, dolly varden char, lake trout, slimy sculpin, northern pike and burbot. Round whitefish and rainbow trout often migrate into salmon spawning areas to feed on salmon eggs after they have been released from the females. Principal bird species that predate on juvenile salmon include mergansers, kingfishers, terns, and gulls. Mammals such as mink and otter also predate on juvenile salmon. Returning adults provide nutrition to a wide range of predators/scavengers including grizzly and black bears, wolves, eagles, gulls, ravens and Canada jays. The interactions between salmon species have not been studied in detail in the Taku drainage. Predation of sockeye fry by larger coho juveniles has been observed in Tatsamenie Lake and it is possible that other salmon species such as chum and pink salmon are also preyed upon by coho salmon elsewhere in the drainage Stock Assessment and Research Processes The assessment processes for sockeye, coho and chinook salmon are being developed along similar lines. The process generally involves assessing the total in river run size through mark-recapture programs, monitoring of in river catches for use in conjunction with in river abundance estimates to obtain total escapement estimates, sampling of catches and escapements to determine age, size and sex composition and information on the contribution of enhanced stocks, and stock specific escapement studies Sockeye Salmon The assessment program for Taku sockeye salmon in 2001 includes the following components: 2001 Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 21 of 40

24 a) A mark-recapture program in the lower Taku River to determine in-season forecasts and post-season estimates of total in-river run size and escapement, major stock timing, and overall age and size distribution. b) Sampling in Canadian and U.S. gill net fisheries to determine age and size distribution of catches and contributions of enhanced stocks. Sampling is also conducted for stock identification. c) Stock-specific escapement enumeration and sampling at weirs located at Little Trapper, Tatsamenie and Kuthai lakes. d) A number of assessment projects to evaluate the joint Canada/U.S. sockeye enhancement program on Taku sockeye including: hydroacoustic and limnological surveys; fry outplant and smolt emigration studies; otolith sampling and analyses in catches, escapements and juvenile samples to determine enhanced and wild contributions; and preliminary surveys of other potential enhancement opportunities Coho Salmon The assessment program for Taku coho salmon in 2001 includes the following components: a) A mark-recapture program in the lower Taku River to determine in-season forecasts and post-season estimates of total in river run size and escapement, major stock timing, and overall age and size distribution. b) A Canadian test fishery which will operate to recapture tagged adult fish in the event the commercial fishery is closed. c) Sampling in Canadian and U.S. gill net fisheries to determine age and size distribution of catches and contributions of enhanced stocks (U.S. fisheries only) and to recover CWTs. d) A coded-wire tagging program to provide smolt production estimates associated with brood year escapement estimates, ocean survival, harvest rates, and stock identification and contributions within the marine fisheries Chinook Salmon The assessment program for Taku chinook salmon in 2001 includes the following components: a) A mark-recapture program in the lower Taku River to determine in-season forecasts and post-season estimates of total in-river run size and escapement, major stock timing, and overall age and size distribution. b) A Canadian test fishery which will operate to recapture tagged adult fish. c) Sampling in Canadian and U.S. gill net fisheries to determine age and size distribution of incidental catches and contributions of enhanced stocks (in U.S. fisheries only) and to recover CWTs. d) A coded-wire tagging program to provide smolt production estimates associated with escapement estimates, ocean survival, harvest rates, and stock identification and contributions within the marine fisheries e) A sport creel census. f) Aerial surveys of select escapement index streams. Page 22 of Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

25 Pink, Chum and Steelhead The assessment program for Taku pink, chum and steelhead in 2001 primarily involves monitoring catches and effort in the Canyon Island fishwheels (i.e. the fishwheels used for the chinook, sockeye and coho mark-recapture programs). 9. CURRENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES 9.1. Pacific Salmon Treaty New Canada/ U.S. provisions for Transboundary rivers established in the 1999 Pacific Salmon Treaty include: a) Development of co-operative abundance based management regimes for coho, sockeye and chinook for all three Transboundary rivers (Stikine, Taku and Alsek) by May b) Creation of a Transboundary Rivers Panel to address issues specific to these drainages. The Canadian section of the Panel includes two members with direct linkages to Taku interests. Additional provisions specific to the Taku include specific harvest sharing provisions for coho salmon and wild and enhanced sockeye salmon, and continuation of the joint sockeye enhancement program. In addition, there is potential for directed chinook salmon fisheries by mutual agreement after an acceptable management regime has been developed. Specific allocation arrangements are outlined in Section 10.2 of this document Uncertain Returns Forecasting the size of the spawning salmon run has been difficult in recent years. This stems from a number of uncertainties that have affected these runs. The primary impact that has been identified is ocean mortality. This mortality is believed to be a result of increasing water temperatures and other conditions that effect the entire ocean based ecosystem. Inaccurate forecasts can make it more difficult for stakeholders to plan effectively. They can also have some affect on management, and by extension, conservation, as major restrictions are more difficult to implement in-season than preseason, particularly with regard to the First Nations fishery Uncertain Market Conditions With the uncertainty about returning numbers of salmon comes a difficulty in predicting the supply of salmon. This can affect the price of salmon, particularly early in the season, as the markets attempt to gauge supply and demand. This uncertainty can also lead to a reduction of processing and other facilities needed to process the fish caught when returns exceed forecasted levels Habitat Golden Bear Mine 2001 Taku River B.C. Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 23 of 40