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Roundtable Report

November 2017 SEHAB meeting

Cindy Verbeek, Smithers and Area Rep

CA: Natalie Newman

Society Activities and Concerns

The Society continues to be active in assisting with school programs in the area and operation of the Mission Creek Coho Trap and Transport Program (under contract with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure).  For the third year in a row, we have suffered extreme high water events which damaged the fence structure required to operate the trap and transport program.  This year, an event on October 24th damaged the fence so significantly that it had to be removed prematurely and may have to be completely rebuilt before the program resumed.  Although we were able to meet our trap and transport targets, removal of the fence and trap when an estimated 200 coho were entering the system means that data on returns is incomplete and future operations are in jeopardy.

Actions Needed from DFO

Given that high water events are becoming a ‘norm’ rather than isolated or intermittent events, it is suggested that what we may be experiencing is a frontline impact of climate change affecting salmonids in our watershed.  Ongoing scientific collection and analysis of data by DFO would appear to be in order as part of an assessment of the impact of climate change on salmonids.  This could include (but not be limited to) the following:

• long-term changes in precipitation patterns (either increased or decreased) and their impact on stream flows in Pacific Region;
• known or observed impact of stream flow changes on salmonid spawning success, in-stream survival, and migration to the ocean;
• known, observed, or projected impact of precipitation or stream flow changes on salmonid habitat in Pacific Region;
• collection of ocean temperature, currents, and other data and collation of these with salmon population estimates used for establishing harvest limits and practices.

Volunteer groups throughout Pacific Region could play a role in assisting DFO with much of this data collection and monitoring, but the primary responsibility for the scientific analysis and any conclusions drawn must remain with DFO.  Without such data collection and analysis, successful implementation of a Wild Salmon Policy would appear to be problematic.

Wild Salmon Policy

Following are some observations from Society members relating to this:

• The WSP contains a lack of recovery actions for depressed (red-zonned) salmon.
• Federal government needs to put forth dedicated funding for engagement in creating the implementation plan.
• Federal government needs to put for dedicated funding for implementation activities -- assure that the annual funding level here directly reflects the costs of annual + continual implementation activities.
• Critical for DFO to assign a senior manager responsible for implementation of the WSP; ideally management + monitoring of the implementation process is not exclusively held within DFO...could it be done in partnership? with who/what groups? or accountability extends beyond DFO.
• Specific recommendations: DFO to appoint a senior manger accountable for WSP Implementation whose sole responsibility is to oversee the execution of the WSP Implementation Plan. The Regional Director General still maintains authority for implementation. Additionally, DFO should assign support staff within its administrative regions who are responsible and accountable for engaging partners in region-specific implementation activities.
• Any implementation plan must respect the legal obligations regarding First Nations priority rights + interests in fisheries management (Free Prior and Informed Consent process + accountable to UNDRIP).
• First Nations driven socio-economic assessments must inform the implementation plan. These assessments must reflect the values of FN salmon fisheries (FSC, commercial, treaty, etc.), often not accurately reflected in the socio-economic analyses that DFO uses in their decision-making processes.
• The WSP Implementation plan must clearly state how First Nations driven socio-economic assessments and factors will be used in decision making.
• The WSP calls for the incorporation of "Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge" into conservation management practice; An awareness of the tension that exists between the need to incorporate indigenous knowledge systems + the nature of indigenous knowledge being proprietary to a degree and cannot always be shared, is essential. This awakens must be recognized and accommodated throughout.

Beaver Dam Management

This matter has been a topic of discussion at annual watershed roundtable meetings sponsored by our society.  I believe our group would be very supportive of clear and enforceable guidelines for management of dams, as well as guidelines for ensuring safe fish passage in affected streams.  At present there seems to be little in the way of firm direction from the highest level of DFO relating to these matters.  As a Society working with salmon in the watershed, we have been left to plead with other groups in our area (often unsuccessfully) to exercise self-restraint.  In our view, this is an abdication of DFO’s responsibility to exercise its mandate.

Sorry for the late response to your request.  Much of the above input was just received at noon today.

Greig Houlden

While I received the pdf files on the project, I find them unnecessarily lengthy. I am submitting my comments in this format and hope they will be included in any decisions that are made.

1. It is difficult to take the document seriously when the DFO is being underfunded and under supported. The number of officers in the field is being reduced every year. As an example, we no longer have an active officer on the entire Skeena system. When I raised this issue at a recent Wild Salmon Policy meeting I was given the response “well, I guess we have to rely on the anglers on the river to report violations”. Specious responses are not acceptable.

2. The Federal government has been closing hatcheries on the Skeena system, and instead of increasing funding for the only hatchery on the system (The Toboggan Creek Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Society) the funding saved from those closed hatcheries disappears into a black hole. That hatchery used to monitor and enhance Spring salmon stocks on a number of rivers, but due to lack of funding is no longer able to enhance Steelhead or Spring salmon stocks in many areas. It is now the only stock assessment and data gathering unit on the Skeena system.

3. There is a complete lack of enforcement action with regard to the Kinder Morgan actions, i.e. the laying of screens in spawning beds, construction in and near rivers prior to the approval of the project, and this increases the level of cynicism regarding any promises for the future.

4. Cynicism is increased when one reads of the introduction of diseased Atlantic salmon in the open net farms along the B.C. coast. Where the hell are the biologists and scientists when private citizens bring forth ample evidence of the damage being done by these foreign corporations? Beyond the immediate problem of the diseases, the explosion in the sea louse population near the farms and the pollution of the ocean floor from the vast amounts of fecal material now spreading beyond the floor of the pens should be reason enough for action from a body which is supposed to be protecting our environment and wild salmon stocks. Secondary to this is the deliberate attraction of herring and other stocks into the farms by the placement of heavy duty lights over and around the netted areas. As a sports angler I’m not allowed to do this, nor, technically, are commercial fishers, but there’s no attempt at enforcement at these “farms”.

5. The federal government allows far larger allocations of salmon for salt water sports anglers than presently exist in the river systems. There has been no attempt to stem the explosion of “sport fishing lodges” and their massive impact on Spring salmon stocks. Even the individual salt water angler has a larger daily and season limit than anglers on the river systems. An alarming decrease in Spring salmon stocks on the Skeena system is being met with equally alarming apathy. The Skeena and it’s tributaries are still relatively healthy as far as supplying spawning areas, so the problem is in the ocean environment.

6. Finally, I must express my appreciation for the local, hard working staff at our DFO office. They are under staffed, under supported and under funded, and I do worry how much longer those dedicated people may have jobs, or decide to find a less frustrating, more lucrative line of work.

Yours truly,

Bob Haslett
Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0

The beaver population seems to be exploding. They prevent a lot of salmon from getting to spawning areas in the small streams. What is the groups take on this. I could argue both sides????? Martin Knutson

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SEHAB Member: Cindy Verbeek

Area: Smithers and Upper Skeena  

Community Advisor:  Vacant

Meeting Date:  February 24-26

Identify up to 5 succinct issues that  you or your community would like SEHAB to take to DFO?

*SEHAB Work Plan/Sub Committees are: Wild Salmon Policy (Stock Assessment, Habitat), Aquaculture, and Capacity & Core Fundin

Stories: Highlight important successes and challenges in your area that you would like to discuss this meeting. This can also be a place to provide background for the issues listed above.

Topic/Issue: No CA in Smithers

Successes: Terrace staff have been working extra hard to cover support to the Smithers and area projects. We appreciate all the hard work they are doing and going above and beyond to cover. We recognize that this is not sustainable however and need to get a CA hired as soon as possible.

Challenges: Projects that are already in existence (ie. Chicago Creek) are concerned that their programs will not be able to run this year because there is no CA to support the projects and clear the red tape.

Projects that are new (Skeena Meadows, Houston) need DFO support to apply for funding and permits. Once their projects are built they will need training and involvement from DFO because volunteers are not qualified yet to do the work.

DFO staff in Terrace have been trying to cover but their plates are already full with their own area and are not able (by no fault of their own) to give the support needed in a timely manner. This situation is not sustainable.

Topic/Issue:

Successes:

Challenges:

Topic/Issue:

Successes:

Challenges:

Topic/Issue:

Successes:

Challenges:

Submissions and Comments from Community Groups:

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SEHAB Roundtable Template––June 2016

SEHAB Member:    Cindy Verbeek       

Area:              Upper Skeena (Smithers and area)                  

Community Advisor:         Vacant

Date:              October 2016                      

Key Issues:

What top three points can you distill from community input to take to DFO RHQ?

1. The vacant CA position in our region (Upper Skeena) needs to be filled on a permanent basis a.s.a.p. Volunteer groups in our region cannot function effectively without the support, advice, and liaison services provided by the Community Advisor. Our region cannot be sub-divided and the tasks of the CA effectively covered by CAs in adjoining regions. 
2. Recent and unexplained fluctuations in salmon returns in our watershed indicate need for restoration of DFO scientific capacity to study in-stream and ocean factors affecting salmonid survival. Once these are better understood, DFO should communicate with volunteer groups how we may effectively assist in addressing the factors which are negatively impacting salmon in our specific regions or watersheds.
3. Rules currently applying to salmon habitat need to be clarified and that information disseminated and readily available to organizations and the public. DFO needs to ensure that reported infractions are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

Stories:

A few examples of successes, failures, challenges.

Chicago Creek Enhancement Society

1. A Challenge Story: In the Fall of 2015, there was a significant high water event that required us to pull panels from our fish fence and suspend our trap and transport program for coho spawners. The event, which appeared to be linked to CN work to remove upstream beaver dams adjacent to its tracks, continued for about 3 days. Water flows were so high that salmon redds previously established upstream were washed downstream, along with a significant amount of spawning gravel placed in weirs constructed with PSF funding in 2013. The event was reported to our contacts at CN and DFO and subsequently discussed at a watershed round table meeting organized by our Society in June 2016.  This fall, we encountered uncharacteristically high and turbid water at the fence site during the period we would normally install the fish fence in low water.  It appears that complete removal of some beaver dams upstream may have compromised the ability of the watershed to retain some of the water created by sustained precipitation.  As a result, downstream flows are more variable and turbid during wet periods.  Further discussions will occur with watershed partner groups, DFO personnel and CN representatives to develop methods of beaver dam management which do not adversely impact fish habitat or survival.
2. A Success Story: In 2015, funding was received from the Pacific Salmon Foundation for work to clear silt from spawning beds in New Hazelton which have not been used by transported coho. Due to high workloads, provincial agencies could not survey the proposed work site and issue permits for the desired work window in July 2015. Permission was sought and received from PSF to extend the project to July 2016.  We were able to successfully rehabilitate about 140m² of spawning beds this summer.  As a result, up to an additional 50 spawning coho pairs can be transported to New Hazelton this fall, if returns are large enough to permit this additional transfer.

Upper Bulkley River Streamkeepers

A Success Story: 4,400 healthy coho fry released into the Upper Bulkley River raised in a 10 x 10 shed with 30+ volunteers. This project has garnered support from the community and was so successful we are working towards building a permanent facility to raise small numbers of coho and a place to house watershed learning and streamkeepers activities.

Issues Specific to SEHAB’s Work Plan:

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Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board

Meeting June 9, 2012 Smithers BC

Community Advisor Report, North Coast upper Skeena, Presented by Brenda Donas

Smithers area volunteers are working on habitat monitoring and habitat restoration: gravel catchment structures on Comeau Cr and Mission Cr to provide additional spawning habitat, plus work on off-channel habitat and installation of alcoves to provide juvenile rearing.

Focusing on looking for potential habitat projects with groundwater influence.

Mission Creek coho run has slowly been declining over the past two years. Discussions are taking place re: should we start some small scale enhancement again. Possible factors in population decline are increasing recreational harvest rates and declining marine survival.

Overwintering study is being conducted annually and information is used as a simple indicator of coho stock abundance.

Upper Bulkley coho stock abundance at index sites has decreased over the last five years.

Stream to Sea Program is extremely popular. We have added some lessons and field trips that take a wider ecosystem based approach.

Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Enhancement Class, SEP Community License

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Update

BMP draft going out to CAs mid June for their last round of input.

BMP draft to go to Community groups in mid July Groups will be encouraged to review the document and become familiar with the standards. As groups conduct their fish culture activities, they can refer to the standards to follow sections of the BMPs and then make sure that their fish culture methods do in fact follow the standards in the BMPs. NOTE : the CA is still the main point of contact for guiding fish culture activities at PIP and CEDP projects.

Community groups are encouraged to provide input on the BMPs through their CA. The CAs will be asked to collate comments and pass along the input to Brenda Donas. Brenda will consider the input and update the BMP document accordingly.

Discussions are taking place between SEP and Aquaculture Management Directorate re: including BMP standards as a condition of license in the 2013/2014 Pacific Aquaculture Regulation licenses.

Thank you.

Brenda Donas

Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board

Meeting June 9, 2012 Smithers BC

Community Advisor Report, North Coast upper Skeena, Presented by Brenda Donas

Smithers area volunteers are working on habitat monitoring and habitat restoration: gravel catchment structures on Comeau Cr and Mission Cr to provide additional spawning habitat, plus work on off-channel habitat and installation of alcoves to provide juvenile rearing.

Focusing on looking for potential habitat projects with groundwater influence.

Mission Creek coho run has slowly been declining over the past two years. Discussions are taking place re: should we start some small scale enhancement again. Possible factors in population decline are increasing recreational harvest rates and declining marine survival.

Overwintering study is being conducted annually and information is used as a simple indicator of coho stock abundance.

Upper Bulkley coho stock abundance at index sites has decreased over the last five years.

Stream to Sea Program is extremely popular. We have added some lessons and field trips that take a wider ecosystem based approach.

Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Enhancement Class, SEP Community License

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Update

BMP draft going out to CAs mid June for their last round of input.

BMP draft to go to Community groups in mid July Groups will be encouraged to review the document and become familiar with the standards. As groups conduct their fish culture activities, they can refer to the standards to follow sections of the BMPs and then make sure that their fish culture methods do in fact follow the standards in the BMPs. NOTE : the CA is still the main point of contact for guiding fish culture activities at PIP and CEDP projects.

Community groups are encouraged to provide input on the BMPs through their CA. The CAs will be asked to collate comments and pass along the input to Brenda Donas. Brenda will consider the input and update the BMP document accordingly.

Discussions are taking place between SEP and Aquaculture Management Directorate re: including BMP standards as a condition of license in the 2013/2014 Pacific Aquaculture Regulation licenses.

Thank you.

Brenda Donas

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SALMON ENHANCEMENT AND HABITAT ADVISORY BOARD

SEHAB, The Voice of the Salmon Enhancement Program Volunteer

Roundtable

Our Vision: Pacific Region communities living sustainably within the natural limitations of healthy ecosystems supporting abundant and biologically diverse Pacific salmonids.

Our Mission: SEHAB C.A.R.E.S.  SEHAB is the voice of the volunteer community dedicated to:

Communicating

Advocating

Representing

Educating, and

Supporting its endeavours.

SEHAB and the community have a shared commitment of ensuring functioning ecosystems supporting viable, genetically diverse and abundant indigenous fish populations.

Our partner, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

DFO Vision: Excellence in service to Canadians to ensure the sustainable development and safe use of Canadian waters.

DFO Mission: It is our mission, as DFO employees, to deliver to Canadians the following outcomes:

• Safe and Accessible Waterways;
• Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems; and
• Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.

In working toward these outcomes, the Department will be guided by the principles of sound scientific knowledge and effective management.

DFO Mandate, on behalf of the Government of Canada, DFO is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada’s scientific, ecological, social and economic interests in oceans and fresh waters.

The Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) plays a key role in DFO's work to conserve and manage Pacific salmon stocks. The program's activities aim to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks, provide harvest opportunities, work with First Nations and coastal communities in economic development, and improve fish habitat to sustain salmon populations. SEP broke new ground when it was launched in 1977 by working closely with citizens and schools to raise awareness of salmon conservation and to carry out hands-on community salmon enhancement and stewardship projects. Three of the program's main activities are:

• Fish Hatcheries
• Resource Restoration
• Stewardship and Education

SEHAB Member: Greig Houlden (Gord Wadley, alternate)

Area: Smithers and Northwest BC

Community Advisor: Natalie Newman (Acting)

Date: November 2, 2012

SEHAB Submissions, Comments from Groups:

Toboggan Creek Society

Our concerns are basically the same as what we have expressed in the past,
but still need stating.

Much of the infrastructure (creek intake, pipeline, valves, settling pond,
etc ...) are original (1984) and will not last forever. As well, our base
funding has remained the same for over 20 years now despite the obvious
inflation over the period.

On the escapement end of things the Coho run to Toboggan in 2012 is close to
3,000 spawners which is our 8th highest in 24 years of operating our
assessment fence. The Bulkley Chinook stock, however, is doing poorly due
to their freshwater environment and very warm water temperatures pre-spawn.

We appreciate the continued support from DFO and SEHAB.

Mike O’Neill, Hatchery Manager

Chicago Creek Society

Thanks to funding received from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the society was able to install rock weirs near the mouth of the target watershed in July 2012 to retain spawning gravel for Pink and Coho salmon.  It was not expected by DFO personnel involved that the spawning beds would be used in the 2012 season, but both Pink and Coho salmon were observed digging redds in the new spawning beds during September and October 2012.

After unexpectedly poor Coho returns in the 2011 season, returns for 2012 have been unexpectedly strong, with about 400 adults being counted through the fence to October 31^st, and the potential for a traditional surge in early November, if water levels increase.

The unexpectedly large return in 2012, as well as the percentage of returning Coho that appear to be abnormally large has raised questions regarding Coho possible holding for an additional year in the ocean.  This could also partially explain the low returns in the 2011 season.  Under DFO direction, scale samples are being taken from some of the subject Coho to determine their age at the time of return.

The fence structure was damaged by a high water event, possibly human-caused, on October 1^st.  This required emergency repairs to both the fence structure and the new weirs installed to retain spawning gravel. Action by several agencies (District of New Hazelton, Ministry of Transportation, CN Rail) in ‘managing’ beaver dams upstream has raised concerns regarding potential impact on adult spawning and on fry survival.  The society and DFO Community Advisor hope to re-establish a watershed roundtable to discuss appropriate procedures for dealing with beaver dams as well as lines of communication with other parties working in the watershed.

Greig Houlden, President

Public Events in the Region

A large number of community groups came together to hold recreational, habitat improvement and community awareness events on the Bulkley River to celebrate BC Rivers’ Day on September 30^th.  This is the second year of such extensive celebrations.  Participation in the day appears to have increased since the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal has been under environmental review.

Community members in Smithers and Hazelton held rallies on October 24^th outside MLA and MP offices to express opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal while hearings were ongoing in Prince George.  The region’s MLAs have already taken positions in opposition to the proposal and the MP for the region is the opposition Environment Critic and was involved in questioning Enbridge at the October hearings in Prince George.

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SEHAB Member: Greig Houlden (Gord Wadley, alternate)

Area: Smithers and Northwest BC

Community Advisor: Natalie Newman (Acting)

Date: November 2, 2012

SEHAB Submissions, Comments from Groups:

Toboggan Creek Society

Our concerns are basically the same as what we have expressed in the past,
but still need stating.

Much of the infrastructure (creek intake, pipeline, valves, settling pond,
etc ...) are original (1984) and will not last forever. As well, our base
funding has remained the same for over 20 years now despite the obvious
inflation over the period.

On the escapement end of things the Coho run to Toboggan in 2012 is close to
3,000 spawners which is our 8th highest in 24 years of operating our
assessment fence. The Bulkley Chinook stock, however, is doing poorly due
to their freshwater environment and very warm water temperatures pre-spawn.

We appreciate the continued support from DFO and SEHAB.

Mike O’Neill, Hatchery Manager

Chicago Creek Society

Thanks to funding received from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the society was able to install rock weirs near the mouth of the target watershed in July 2012 to retain spawning gravel for Pink and Coho salmon. It was not expected by DFO personnel involved that the spawning beds would be used in the 2012 season, but both Pink and Coho salmon were observed digging redds in the new spawning beds during September and October 2012.

After unexpectedly poor Coho returns in the 2011 season, returns for 2012 have been unexpectedly strong, with about 400 adults being counted through the fence to October 31^st, and the potential for a traditional surge in early November, if water levels increase.

The unexpectedly large return in 2012, as well as the percentage of returning Coho that appear to be abnormally large has raised questions regarding Coho possible holding for an additional year in the ocean. This could also partially explain the low returns in the 2011 season. Under DFO direction, scale samples are being taken from some of the subject Coho to determine their age at the time of return.

The fence structure was damaged by a high water event, possibly human-caused, on October 1^st. This required emergency repairs to both the fence structure and the new weirs installed to retain spawning gravel. Action by several agencies (District of New Hazelton, Ministry of Transportation, CN Rail) in ‘managing’ beaver dams upstream has raised concerns regarding potential impact on adult spawning and on fry survival. The society and DFO Community Advisor hope to re-establish a watershed roundtable to discuss appropriate procedures for dealing with beaver dams as well as lines of communication with other parties working in the watershed.

Greig Houlden, President

Public Events in the Region

A large number of community groups came together to hold recreational, habitat improvement and community awareness events on the Bulkley River to celebrate BC Rivers’ Day on September 30^th. This is the second year of such extensive celebrations. Participation in the day appears to have increased since the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal has been under environmental review.

Community members in Smithers and Hazelton held rallies on October 24^th outside MLA and MP offices to express opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal while hearings were ongoing in Prince George. The region’s MLAs have already taken positions in opposition to the proposal and the MP for the region is the opposition Environment Critic and was involved in questioning Enbridge at the October hearings in Prince George.

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Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board

Meeting June 9, 2012 Smithers BC

 Community Advisor Report, North Coast upper Skeena, Presented by Brenda Donas

Smithers area volunteers are working on habitat monitoring and habitat restoration: gravel catchment structures on Comeau Cr and Mission Cr to provide additional spawning habitat, plus work on off-channel habitat and installation of alcoves to provide juvenile rearing.

 Focusing on looking for potential habitat projects with groundwater influence.

Mission Creek coho run has slowly been declining over the past two years. Discussions are taking place re: should we start some small scale enhancement again. Possible factors in population decline are increasing recreational harvest rates and declining marine survival.

Overwintering study is being conducted annually and information is used as a simple indicator of coho stock abundance.

Upper Bulkley coho stock abundance at index sites has decreased over the last five years.

 Stream to Sea Program is extremely popular. We have added some lessons and field trips that take a wider ecosystem based approach.

Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Enhancement Class, SEP Community License
Best Management Practices (BMPs) Update

BMP draft going out to CAs mid June for their last round of input.

BMP draft to go to Community groups in mid July Groups will be encouraged to review the document and become familiar with the standards. As groups conduct their fish culture activities, they can refer to the standards to follow sections of the BMPs and then make sure that their fish culture methods do in fact follow the standards in the BMPs. NOTE : the CA is still the main point of contact for guiding fish culture activities at PIP and CEDP projects.

Community groups are encouraged to provide input on the BMPs through their CA. The CAs will be asked to collate comments and pass along the input to Brenda Donas. Brenda will consider the input and update the BMP document accordingly.

Discussions are taking place between SEP and Aquaculture Management Directorate re: including BMP standards as a condition of license in the 2013/2014 Pacific Aquaculture Regulation licenses.

Thank you.

Brenda Donas

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Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board

Meeting June 9, 2012 Smithers BC

Community Advisor Report, North Coast upper Skeena, Presented by Brenda Donas

Smithers area volunteers are working on habitat monitoring and habitat restoration: gravel catchment structures on Comeau Cr and Mission Cr to provide additional spawning habitat, plus work on off-channel habitat and installation of alcoves to provide juvenile rearing.

Focusing on looking for potential habitat projects with groundwater influence.

Mission Creek coho run has slowly been declining over the past two years. Discussions are taking place re: should we start some small scale enhancement again. Possible factors in population decline are increasing recreational harvest rates and declining marine survival.

Overwintering study is being conducted annually and information is used as a simple indicator of coho stock abundance.

Upper Bulkley coho stock abundance at index sites has decreased over the last five years.

Stream to Sea Program is extremely popular. We have added some lessons and field trips that take a wider ecosystem based approach.

Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Enhancement Class, SEP Community License

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Update

BMP draft going out to CAs mid June for their last round of input.

BMP draft to go to Community groups in mid July Groups will be encouraged to review the document and become familiar with the standards. As groups conduct their fish culture activities, they can refer to the standards to follow sections of the BMPs and then make sure that their fish culture methods do in fact follow the standards in the BMPs. NOTE : the CA is still the main point of contact for guiding fish culture activities at PIP and CEDP projects.

Community groups are encouraged to provide input on the BMPs through their CA. The CAs will be asked to collate comments and pass along the input to Brenda Donas. Brenda will consider the input and update the BMP document accordingly.

Discussions are taking place between SEP and Aquaculture Management Directorate re: including BMP standards as a condition of license in the 2013/2014 Pacific Aquaculture Regulation licenses.

Thank you.

Brenda Donas

Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board

Meeting June 9, 2012 Smithers BC

Community Advisor Report, North Coast upper Skeena, Presented by Brenda Donas

Smithers area volunteers are working on habitat monitoring and habitat restoration: gravel catchment structures on Comeau Cr and Mission Cr to provide additional spawning habitat, plus work on off-channel habitat and installation of alcoves to provide juvenile rearing.

Focusing on looking for potential habitat projects with groundwater influence.

Mission Creek coho run has slowly been declining over the past two years. Discussions are taking place re: should we start some small scale enhancement again. Possible factors in population decline are increasing recreational harvest rates and declining marine survival.

Overwintering study is being conducted annually and information is used as a simple indicator of coho stock abundance.

Upper Bulkley coho stock abundance at index sites has decreased over the last five years.

Stream to Sea Program is extremely popular. We have added some lessons and field trips that take a wider ecosystem based approach.

Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Enhancement Class, SEP Community License

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Update

BMP draft going out to CAs mid June for their last round of input.

BMP draft to go to Community groups in mid July Groups will be encouraged to review the document and become familiar with the standards. As groups conduct their fish culture activities, they can refer to the standards to follow sections of the BMPs and then make sure that their fish culture methods do in fact follow the standards in the BMPs. NOTE : the CA is still the main point of contact for guiding fish culture activities at PIP and CEDP projects.

Community groups are encouraged to provide input on the BMPs through their CA. The CAs will be asked to collate comments and pass along the input to Brenda Donas. Brenda will consider the input and update the BMP document accordingly.

Discussions are taking place between SEP and Aquaculture Management Directorate re: including BMP standards as a condition of license in the 2013/2014 Pacific Aquaculture Regulation licenses.

Thank you.

Brenda Donas

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Upper Skeena Roundtable Report – Winter 2011

After about 14 years of involvement with SEHAB Ev Person has decided to step back from representation on the Board. He has very much enjoyed his tenure with the board and discussions and association with SEHAB members. Due to family commitments and old age Ev (78) feels it is time to step down. He feels the work of the Board is important but is often slowed in process, and that the advice of the Board is not often listened to by DFO. As time progresses DFO appears to be stepping away from responsibilities and commitment to community process and protection of the resource. After many years of participation with agency and advisory organizations Ev is hopeful agencies will follow through on working with community projects, as well as obligations to the resource and local stewards. As a 14 year member of SEHAB, 25 year treasurer and director of Toboggan Creek Society, chairman and member of SFAB locally, Ev has put in his time. He will continue to offer his support to Toboggan Creek Society, SEHAB and SFAB as an experienced member. His efforts and representation over the years are much appreciated by the volunteers and associations he has touched during 2 decades of service.

Toboggan Creek Enhancement Society and the manager Mike O’Neil were recently awarded 25 year plaques in recognition of their years of assessment work in Skeena Region. Habitat biologist Barry Finnegan presented the awards to the Board of Directors and the manager at a recent director’s meeting. The facility had another successful year of operations in Chinook and Coho salmon enhancement for assessment purposes and operations of adult and smolt assessments. Coho returns to Toboggan Creek were approximately 4200 adults above the fence. A steelhead counting fence was also employed by the society on Toboggan Creek in spring 2010 and early indications suggest approximately 400+ steelhead returned to the creek to spawn. The Morice Chinook program forcoded wire tag releases was also brought back again with over 70,000 eggs collected for release as marked smolts in 2012.

Chicago Creek Society has lost the opportunity to operate the coho hatchery and release program as the property it was located on has been sold. Equipment owned by the Society and DFO has been moved from the site. The Chicago Creek group will continue to run a fence and transport operation for Coho adults on Station Creek in conjunction with DFO and the Dept. of Highways. Dept. of Highways pays for this operation due to an obstruction caused by highway construction years ago. Greig Holden of Chicago Creek Society has been nominated by the local CA as a representative to replace Ev’s position.

A new chapter of the BC Steelhead Society has resurfaced in the Northwest and local anglers and volunteers in the Smithers area are involved in trying to restore off channel habitat on the Telkwa River that has not been maintained over the years. The new group can be contacted through the local chairman Jessea Grice by e-mail. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) The group will be renewing their rehabilitation efforts come springtime.

The Wet’suwet’en Fisheries had another successful year of operations at Moricetown Canyon. The crews tagged over 8,000 steelhead, 7000 coho, 3344 sockeye as well as chinook. Final reports on total escapements based on their works are pending.

Gitksan Fisheries carried out a number of programs in the Upper Skeena including a radio tagging project on Chinook in the middle and upper reaches of the Skeena. Reports are still coming but preliminary reports from middle Skeena/Kispiox area suggest the Chinook runs were below the 10 year average, coho were slightly about average, while sockeye returns to native streams were poor. Chum salmon have almost disappeared with only a few remnant pods remaining in the Kispiox. Pink salmon runs were also very poor even considering the even year normal lower returns.

Nat’oot’en Fisheries completed their third successful year of operations of the Babine Counting Fence and passed approximately 1,000,000 sockeye, including over 100,000 jack sockeye, through to Babine Lake and tributaries. Following the Fort Babine Salmon Enhancement Project’s recent demise the Lake Babine Band negotiated strongly to maintain the contract in the area for residents and were successful in attaining about 50% of the previous annual allocation of SEP funds. The CEDP component is now managed by the Lake Babine Band. Local crews were trained as streamkeepers, on data collection and following the field season local area streams were picked clean of debris. Nat’oot’en Fisheries also implemented a local sale component for their jack sockeye sales which proved very popular at Farmers’ markets in the area.

Major projects proposed for the area continue to be the main habitat focus for residents of the Pacific Northwest with the proposed Enbridge pipeline still the biggest battle to be won. Residents, Municipalities and First Nations remain determined to ensure this does not happen in Skeena region. The Northwest Transmission Line is in the works as well and negotiations on location seem key to approvals and final review.

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{pdf}http://www.sehab.org/pdf/Toboggan Creek.pdf|height:1100|width:800|app:adobe{/pdf}

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Upper Skeena Roundtable Report for Feb./09

As we start  another year there are a lot concerns on the  horizon, such as a potential lack of funds to support the Morice River chinook study.It is funded by the P.S.C. Northern Fund which is short of funds.

We have been told the coded Wire Tagging Team is not coming north this year so we are waiting further developments. "No hatchery fish should be released unmarked."

The Toboggan Creek Hatchery is going well, survivals are good. The fish ponds require new bulkheads as they are like the rest of us, "getting old and weak".

I talked to Jim Lemky from the Chicago Creek Hatchery, he reports they have 18,000 eyed Coho eggs on hand for Mission Creek. They had a run of 400 Coho last fall. Everything is going well.

There is a source of funds for all this. Put all of the funds from the Salmon Conservation Stamp, and the Conservation Surcharge Stamp into conservation and research instead of a large part of it into General Revenues.

Ev Person

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October 2008

Upper Skeena Roundtable Report

Summer in Skeena country brought returning salmon back to the rivers in varying levels. Sockeye was good and provided a commercial and a surplus fishery in river. Chinook salmon was average, coho returns were good, but pink salmon and chums were almost non-existent. Pink and Chum continue to demonstrate the biggest decline in  species numbers on the Skeena along with the Pacific Lamprey which also seems to be disappearing. Eulachons are also in serious decline.

Low flows in summer and early fall restricted access for fish into tributaries until October. How this affected sockeye and coho remains to be seen. Steelhead runs were good early with above average returns to Skeena systems according to the Tyee Test Fishery. Sport fishing was good for all target species until the masses beat the fish down in later September.

The Skeena Watershed initiatives are moving forward through Skeena Wild on the consultation aspect with a number of meetings to garner support and develop principles to move forward with. A report from the Skeena Independent Science Review Panel has revealed that the positions and assumptions brought forward by the Ministry regarding steelhead are based on indefensible data and that there is serious lack of steelhead stock trend data which is the most serious failing of the MOE’s historical monitoring and so called management system. Recommendations  included more work on steelhead population status such as a Bulkley/Morice population estimate which the Province has been dead against since 2001. Operation of the Toboggan fence would also assist in this process but again the Ministry does not support more science.

The Provincial Quality Waters initiative is still ongoing and they have successfully divided all of the sportfishing sectors from guides to residents and B&B’s to sporting goods stores, and they now want to consult with the Non-residents from out of the country before they decide anything….  So the saga continues on the 6th process in 20 years to resolve the issues on steelhead rivers. Frankly the Ministry has done nothing over 20 years in the form of management of the resource or the rivers and our paid professionals treat it as a cash cow with little respect for residents views. The current process does not even include fish, habitat or enforcement which have strangely gone missing from the agenda.

The Skeena Watershed Coalition continues its battles to save the Upper Skeena from Coal Bed Methane development by Dutch Shell. Dutch Shell has suspended exploration activities for one year due to public and community concerns. The BC Municipal Association has come out in opposition to the Dutch Shell proposal as well. This issue seems to have built a large support base within the watershed.

The Enbridge Pipeline Proposal to cross Northern BC with two pipelines is in the consultation stage with meeting throughout the communities. This project certainly has the potential to affect rivers in the area but time and development plans will provide more focus. Heads up!

February 2008

Upper Skeena Roundtable Report

A scientific review of Skeena River salmon and steelhead stocks has been initiated through an agreement with Fisheries & Oceans Canada and the Provincial Ministry of Environment. This process is headed by a group of 5 noted scientists from the west coast who are to review existing stock information on the Skeena and come up with recommendations for future fisheries prior to the 2008 commercial fishing season. A lot of information to digest and a short time frame for serious comment but we wish the panel well and are hopeful for a constructive result. The funding for this initiative is apparently through the Tide Foundation and from the Moore Foundation from the USA. Our government must not have the money or a serious enough commitment to the Skeena resource to look after the second largest river on the west coast.

The Moore Foundation via Tide is also fronting money to the Skeena Wild Foundation for a Skeena Watershed Committee De-brief. Skeena Wild is the newest NGO in the area and the Skeena Watershed Committee (SWC) was a multi-sectoral groups set up in the 1990’s to deal with Skeena fisheries management issues in a co-management context. Since the SWC’s demise, when the commercial sector stepped away from the process, North Coast fisheries management has again slipped back into its old ways and stocks of all species are again in decline on the Skeena. One can only hope that taking funds from outside sources does not compromise the process for residents and fishers of the area. The purpose of the de-brief is to try and take what worked from the old process and perhaps try and establish a new consultation/management process with Skeena stakeholders. The group attending will include agency members, some interested observers and a few of the other First Nation, sport and commercial sector members from the past committee.

The Provincial Quality Waters Process has completed it’s first of a few trips through the watershed towards compiling Angling Management Plans for many northern rivers with angling use issues. This is the fifth process and fifth consultant in the past 15 years that the province has hired to try and do their job for them. Let’s hope something gets done this time around.

The latest resource news from the mining sector related to the Upper Skeena is a proposal from Fortune Minerals to run a pipeline from the Upper Skeena to a railhead at Hazelton to transport a coal and water slurry from the coal deposits in the upper watershed to the Prince Rupert container port. They contend that the water used to transport the coal in the pipeline should be clean as it would be just like running it through a charcoal filter….perhaps they think it’s a way to cleanup the sour water from their methane deposits!?

October 2007

Upper Skeena Roundtable Report – Fall 2007

The Bulkley River went from a forty year low water period in summer/fall 2006 to historic recorded high in June 2007. Heavy snow packs and a slow spring thaw kept all upper Skeena tributaries at high levels into late summer. This affected angling for Chinook due to water conditions and sockeye and coho fishing were considered poor overall for most systems.

High water also affected access to Chinook broodstock in upper Bulkley but spawners did make it into the upper watershed to areas they have not always make it to in recent years.

A new program for Morice Chinook was initiated through Pacific Salmon Commission funding from the Northern Endowment Fund for Chinook Enhancement, the purpose is to provide a CWT group from the Morice River. Broodstock was taken from the Morice by the Toboggan Creek Society in September of 2007 to start this program.

Coded Wire Tagging is again an issue for the north as results from the monitoring are dismal for the commercial trollers who were found to be non compliant overall (>70%). There is also no structured monitoring of marked fish for the burgeoning charter and tidal sportfishery which leave a large gap in any CWT data being collected.

Chinook runs to the Upper Skeena continue their downward slide with no apparent action by area managers. Results from 2007 are 30% of the 5 year average in the 1990’s and many rivers such as the Kispiox are not even being assessed for spawner counts.

Coho stocks in the upper Skeena appear to be down approximately 30% from last year and anglers reported poor success rates for their efforts, likely partially due to water conditions. Toboggan creek reported 2630 Coho adults into the stream of which 11.9% were CWT tagged hatchery returns. Coho were observed in Canyon creek following a 3 year fry outplanting program from the Toboggan facility and it was heartening to see Coho back to this system after many years.

The Gitanyow Chiefs are taking Fisheries & Oceans Canada to court for not meeting escapement goals for sockeye returns to the Kitwanga River. This has been a long standing issue with First Nations in the Upper Skeena as Fisheries continues to prosecute commercial fisheries at the mouth of the Skeena and continually fails to meet escapement goals for natural sockeye stocks in the region while attempting to harvest the enhanced Babine sockeye runs. Unfortunately this affects not only native sockeye stocks to all other tributaries but Chinook, Coho, Chum and Steelhead stocks bound for the upper Skeena rivers as well.

MOE has approached local anglers through the local SFAB to introduce a “NEW” initiative for a “Quality Waters Program” said to be designed to apply “Angling Management Plans” to some Skeena quality rivers by late 2009…..This after 20 years of a legislated requirement for Angling Use Plans that were never put in place. As mentioned in our last report and brought up by local anglers at the meeting it may well be too late as that boat has sailed and our rivers appear to have been sold for $20 a day to as many non-resident as want to come.

Steelhead runs were said to be about the worst since the early 70’s and you won’t find much argument from anyone who bothered to go down to the river. Some big fish were caught and more smaller fish than normal but the average 6 – 16 pound fish were virtually absent from the population through much of the fishery. This from Babine and Kispiox reports as well. Local anglers report recent improvement in the fishing since the hordes have left the river but still slower than usual for this time of year.

Dutch Shell continues the push to develop Coalbed Methane in the Upper Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers with the support of the Provincial Government and against the wishes of the majority of the northern population. For more info see: http://skeenawatershed.com
We need all the help we can get to “Keep the Shell Out”

February 2007

Upper Skeena Roundtable Report
The Skeena system has had numerous years of years with low snow pack and as a result of this, and lack of precipitation in the summer we experienced very low flow conditions in most of our rivers (estimated to be 40 year lows). Groundwater tables were lower as well with many long term shallow wells drying up in the summer and fall. The lack of water in late summer fall impacted salmon trying to access the tributaries for spawning. Sockeye, Pink and Coho were the most noticeably affected. Current snow levels are said to be 150% of average and in the Bulkley valley we have over 3’ of snow on the ground and have had since the end of October.

In 2006 Chinook returns to the upper Skeena were slightly improved in a few main tributaries, such as the Kispiox, Kitwanga (5000-5500) and Morice, but dismal in the Bear Sustut, Babine etc. Runs to most streams are still well below optimum escapements and harvest by commercial trollers and commercial sport fishers in NWBC continue to climb. FOC spawner escapement estimates are inconsistent and considered unreliable due to lack of effort and concern. Chinook captured were considered to be larger in body size that the past year for 4 to 6 year old fish, this information was drawn from anglers at large and is analogue information only.

The Toboggan Creek Enhancement Society has received notification from the Pacific Salmon Commission of funding from the Northern Endowment Fund for Chinook enhancement to provide a CWT group from the Morice River. This will in future provide an index on Upper Skeena Chinook for more catch information from Alaskan and north coast fisheries should the effort to recover CWT’s continue.

On that we note we would like to reiterate the concern of northern groups on the reduction and/or elimination of CWTagging for Coho and Chinook from the CEDP and volunteer facilities. While we do recognize the high cost of tagging we question how you will be able to distinguish “wild salmon” from enhanced stocks should that policy ever reach the ground. We are losing our only sources of empirical information on who is catching what stock short of DNA sampling of a large portion of the landed catch. While collection of heads is poor in the Northcoast commercial and commercial sport fishery information from Alaska and inland sport fisheries are more consistent.

Coho returns were determined to be good in the area with estimates of 35–40,000 coho to the Bulkley Morice system, good returns o the Kispiox and a consistent return to Toboggan Creek (3100). Bulkley/Morice Coho estimates are derived from a tagging program through the Wet’Suwet’en First Nations at Moricetown, with upstream sampling at Toboggan Creek and Little Bulkley fence programs and tributary and helicopter surveys by WETfish and FOC staff.

Mission Creek, which is a small lower Bulkley stream enhanced by the Chicago Creek Enhancement Society counted 194 coho into the creek while expecting 900. Low flows were considered to be the primary reason for the low numbers of fish entering the stream.

The Provincial Government is still not participating in the existing SFAB process. There appears to be initiatives to set up their own process with meetings for the Skeena area in a central location. They do not intend to provide travel costs for volunteers and are currently trying to solicit more anglers at large to complement their selected membership. While crying lack of funds and staffing over the past so many years as the reason for not participating in SFAB they seem to have found monies for their own game and selective process. Efforts to engage MOE in steelhead assessment have again been rejected and there appears to be little hope in sight for cooperation on stewardship with the province in the north.

Perhaps the biggest issue facing northern fishers from the provincial perspective is the continued sale of our steelhead rivers to the parades of non-guided non-residents who invade our rivers in the fall. The Ministry seems to believe that conservation is accomplished only through catch and release of steelhead. They apparently do not feel there is any conservation concern for the spawning salmon, eggs in the gravel or other species of wildlife that used to frequent our rivers. Wildlife that depends on access to the river and its bounty can hardly get there without traffic control. There is absolutely no control over the numbers of stream stomping, how many, how big, how cheap, anglers that can arrive from outside of Canada to fish our rivers for weeks on end. Locals are tired of watching anglers wade through spawning salmon and redds and watching the parade of boats of all types from daylight to dark. Most locals have hung up their rods for steelhead, or at least until late fall in hopes the pressure will dissipate, but there appears to be no end in sight. While resident angler licence numbers plummet the Province continues to reap the bounty from the sale of access to our fair rivers to non-residents at $20.00 per day. Enforcement is at an all time low on the rivers and the increase of outfitters and guides from outside the country grows annually. When is enough enough?

We would like to thank SEHAB for their support on the upper Skeena Chinook index issue and for providing the list of abbreviations used so often in correspondence these days.

Our concerns from the north regarding habitat will be presented in the EPMP discussions and working group.

May 2006

Upper  Skeena Roundtable Report - May 13 and 14, 2006 As prepared by Ev Person
There has been little change in the situations in the north since the last SEHAB meeting in February. This in itself suggests there is little going on and no progress on issues brought forward previously.
There has been no response on the Chinook issue fishers have been complaining about over the last few years. Proposals to enhance and put out CWT groups from Upper Skeena stocks have been deep-sixed in favour of attempting to capture wild smolts and CWT tagging them. This will be cost prohibitive, marginally successful based on past attempts and we still won't have anything constructive or otherwise for another full cycle. The poor recovery efforts on existing CWTs suggest that unless there is more monitoring of catch for CWT this exercise will be futile.
The lack of attention to the declining Chinook stocks has set us up for another CK crisis similar to the 70s and early 80s. Managers should bear the blame for allowing this to get to this stage and ignoring the declining trends of the past cycle. Word is there appears to be lots of fish off the coast now but it remains to be seen how many actually make it up the river to spawn.
The fish farming issue continues to be the priority for many groups and individuals in the Skeena region as the Province and FOC are quietly supporting the initiative and ignoring the constituents. Coastal and upriver communities strongly oppose any fish farming off the Skeena and are very vocal but with little progress to date.
As previously mentioned there is currently a dramatic increase in exploration for coal, coalbed methane and minerals in general in northern BC, and with limited population and resources stewardship and environmental groups are working hard to keep up. Their efforts are currently to try and keep up to speed with the companies and agencies involved and to establish meaningful consultation processes rather than the open house scenario being utilized by the Ministry of Mines and others. A similar tack is being taken by Enbridge with the oil pipeline issue where public open house meet and greet are held but no meaningful consultation process for questions and answers are in place.
For more information on the coal and coalbed methane issue contact: Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition at 250 842-0021 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   For more information on the Fish farming issue contact: www.saveourskeenasalmon.com
With respect to the EPMP, the word in our area is that we have already lost staff out of Prince Rupert and even if that person or position is replaced we will still not maintain status quo. I think we all know what status quo means. We have been going backwards already and less effort, more compliance based monitoring etc. will do little to protect habitat and fish from the impending projects in the north.

February 2006

SEHAB Roundtable North Coast February 2006
Upper Skeena Roundtable Report - February 17, 18 & 19, 2006
As prepared by Ev Person & G. Wadley (Alternate)

1. Priority Issue: As reported in Ev Person’s Oct. 2005 roundtable report the Chinook issue remains the priority issue from the Northwest. The depressed runs over the past few years have raised alarms with inland fishers with minimal response from FOC staff. Average run strengths to Skeena tributaries have declined dramatically in the past 10 years, in some cases by >60% of average escapements in the 1990’s.  (See attached Table “Chinook Escapements for Upper Skeena Tributary Streams”) This issue has been brought forward to FOC over the past 3 years through stewardship groups and the Sportfish Advisory Board and the response from FOC has been rhetoric. (See attached notes from the Northcoast SFAB meetings at the end of this report)

Skeena stewards have asked for a Chinook index stream from the upper Skeena for at least 5 years and applications for support and funding have been ignored. Currently the only Chinook index stream is the Kalum River, flowing into the lower Skeena, which is not representative of upper Skeena stocks. In past years (1980’s – late 1990’s) CWT Chinook were produced for the upper Skeena from Kispiox (middle Skeena), Fort Babine (upper Skeena) and the Toboggan Creek (upper Bulkley/Morice) Community Involvement Projects. These provided a much needed supplement to depressed stocks and information on harvest by Alaska and Canadian fisheries. Similar to Coho CWT programs from the same facilities, these provided the only relevant information on interceptions and exploitation rates available to FOC prior to and during the coho crisis.
Recent moves by FOC to reduce marking of enhanced fish appears to be a huge step backwards for assessment and is not viewed as positive by local fishers. 

To further articulate our position as an action item……We in the north want an upper Skeena Chinook indicator from at least one of the stocks in jeopardy and we want SEHAB support for this initiative to HEB.

2. Marking and Assessment Priority: Where hatchery fish are being released we want support to continue marking (regardless of who pays for it) and a commitment from FOC to continue to improve monitoring for marks. We feel this is key to better understanding our Skeena stocks for all concerned. FOC locally seems determined to drop marking as a priority even if stewardship groups are willing to pay for it. In some jurisdictions on the coast all released fish must be marked and one would think that consistency would be key to assessment goals over all jurisdictions. Currently FOC recovery and monitoring efforts for marks through the commercial and commercial sport fishery in the north are abysmal and we need this information to determine why our upriver stocks are in decline and who’s catching them.

3. Relevant to the Chinook enhancement and marking issues, the Kispiox SEP was closed by the current CA in 1996 and the Fort Babine SEP facility was taken from the 20 year contractor (Fort Babine Enterprises) and handed off to the Chicago Creek Enhancement Society to operate for the past 3 years. FOC - HEB staff were directly involved in both of these debacles and recent comments and initiatives by OHEB staff continue to irk First Nations stewards and compromise their efforts to remain involved in stewardship activities. Unsolicited comments from the above groups, as well as Houston representatives suggest there are continuing issues related to FOC’s selective working relationship with stewards in the area. This is nothing new for some of the groups here but should be a cause for concern for HEB officials and FOC regional staff.

4. Another major issue looming for Skeena Country is the Coalbed Methane exploration being pushed by the Province of BC. The following excerpt from the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition outlines the issue.

SHELL OIL DRILLING ON THE SKEENA
~ Submitted by the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition 
Shell Oil has been granted tenure to drill exploratory wells for Coalbed Methane on the Skeena River.  4 wells have been approved by the government without any input from the residents or First Nations.  There is no place in the world where Coalbed Methane and salmon or steelhead have been able to co-exist but the government and Shell have assured us that our resources will be protected.  Their promises are about as meaningful as the promise the fish farms won’t harm our wild salmon!  The Ministry of Energy and Mines as well as the Oil and Gas Commission of BC have fewer laws in place than Alberta to protect our wild resources.  Employment seems to be the key reason the government claims to support such mega-projects in our sacred headwaters but when the 11 other coalbed methane projects in BC get 85% of their employees from Alberta, I tend to question whose employment are we trying to improve?  Less than 1% of the jobs on a coalbed methane jobsite go to residents of the local communities affected by the development.
In a study conducted last year on the Oil and Gas sites currently operating in Northeastern BC, there were more than 3000 environmental infractions cited as well as more than 75% of soil or water near the sites contaminated to the point that it is not fit for consumption and in some cases, quite lethal.  If you would like more information on this, you can visit any of the websites listed below.
www.dogwoodinitiative.org, www.wcel.org, www.cbmwatch.ca

5. A Mega Project proposed for Northern BC with major habitat protection implications.
The Enbridge Gateway Pipeline Project

The Environmental Process Modernization Plan proposed by Fisheries will have to demonstrate a profound ability to deal with the methane exploration AND the Enbridge Gateway Pipeline. This mega project proposes to cross the northern part of the province from Alberta with an oil pipeline to the Port of Kitimat.  The proposed pipeline, along with the Shell gas exploration constitute the two major issues facing Northwest BC and pose a serious environmental risk to upper Fraser, Skeena, Nass, Stikine and the upper Finlay Rivers. The first four of which represent the best remaining salmon rivers on the BC coast.

With little population base in our northern communities the need to review and monitor development plans places an onerous burden on regional stewardship groups. In order to protect environment and habitat through these processes reliance on our agencies and other NGO’s is imperative.  Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada will have to demonstrate a strong commitment early in the process to ensure habitat and water quality are a priority issue. More on Enbridge as the information comes available. (web address for preliminary report – www.endbridge.com/pdf/2005-11-02-gatewaypip.pdf  )


6. SEHAB related issues brought forward are as follows:

•    Roundtable issues are a priority to constituents. Written reports can bring issues forward but there needs to be adequate time for discussion of major issues such that actions can be seen to follow from FOC.  There is no assurance that written comments or concerns will be adequately addressed through the process. We need to follow issues through the SEHAB process to see what has been resolved other than new processes.
•    In that vein, there has been a myriad of new processes and new directions, re-organization, obvious dis-organization and little action from FOC. It appears the issue of $ to carryout the programs we are concerned with remains one of the biggest stumbling blocks and more effort towards funding of programs deemed priority by the public may be required. What did happen to the CEDP review?
•    Conservation and Protection issues related to habitat remains a concern with northern groups as the history of enforcement in our region is fraught with dissension and lack of action. We look for a clear path through the agency to record and report habitat violations and to follow the investigation and resolution or possible prosecution. FOC efforts with the two major projects should be transparent and accessible.
•    Efforts are underway to increase communication with more stewardship groups in the area and an updated list will be forwarded within a month .
•    If SEHAB is going to be responsible for, or expected to be educating the public about issues such as EPMP, Groundwater contamination, priority roundtable issues and funding sources, FOC will need to consolidate some of the information in concise presentation for dissemination to stewards and NGO’s. Formal presentations for EPMP will probably be required and FOC staff will have to be presenting.
•    Ev Person (his 73rd birthday this year) has requested a dictionary of acronyms for ease of understanding the flow of e-mails and reports.

Copies of Notes and motions from a recent Northcoast Sportfish Advisory Board Meeting

NCCM01-10 – It was moved by Terri O’Neil and seconded by Tom Protheroe that DFO move quickly to provide for (finance and implement) an indicator stock for the upper skeena chinook stocks, and an indicator stock for lower skeena coho stocks.  PASSED UNAIMOUSLY
John McCulloch – Opportunities to establish conservation units for upper Skeena chinook may be possible through the Wild Salmon Policy.
Upper Skeena – Terri O’Neil
There is a growing concern regarding chinook escapements to the Bear/Sustut and Bulkley/Morice systems.  There was a discussion around Skeena sockeye and the restrictions placed on the recreational fishery in-season.  The Babine weir issue was discussed and it was suggested that DFO stock assessment should be invited to the next meeting.  3 motions were introduced.
Chinook Stock Assessment – Ivan Winther(FOC CK BIO)
All of the normal summertime stocks came in less than we have been experiencing recently.  The Nass was better than the Skeena.  The Bear was very low and the counts were conducted by Dan Wagner so there is no concern with the method.  The Sustut was down to a lesser extent.  Doesn’t believe the Bear is being hit disproportionately in any fishery.
John Brockley – What is the difference between historical escapements and biological based escapements?
Ivan Winther – The biological based goal is the amount needed to get maximum output.
Terri O’Neil – Why is there no CWT data for the Bulkley.
Ivan Winther – The Cedar and little Bulkley stocks have passed Tyee before the test fishery starts.  We have looked at the little Bulkley CWT’s but because of run timing they miss most all of the domestic fisheries other than in terminal areas.  They are being harvested in Alaska.
John Brockley – There was a motion passed last spring to establish a tagging program in the upper Skeena.
Ivan Winther – Would have to look into it and would have to do a program of a few systems in the Skeena and also use radio tagging to compare to Kalum data.
Dave Peacock – Would cost 1 million dollars over 2 years.  We will do work for the Wild Salmon Policy but don’t believe will have any new funds.

October 2005

Upper Skeena Roundtable Report - February 17, 18 & 19, 2006
As prepared by Ev Person & G. Wadley (Alternate)
1. Priority Issue: As reported in Ev Person’s Oct. 2005 roundtable report the Chinook issue remains the priority issue from the Northwest. The depressed runs over the past few years have raised alarms with inland fishers with minimal response from FOC staff.
Average run strengths to Skeena tributaries have declined dramatically in the past 10
years, in some cases by >60% of average escapements in the 1990’s. (See attached
Table “Chinook Escapements for Upper Skeena Tributary Streams”) This issue has
been brought forward to FOC over the past 3 years through stewardship groups and the
Sportfish Advisory Board and the response from FOC has been rhetoric. (See attached
notes from the Northcoast SFAB meetings at the end of this report)
Skeena stewards have asked for a Chinook index stream from the upper Skeena for at
least 5 years and applications for support and funding have been ignored. Currently the
only Chinook index stream is the Kalum River, flowing into the lower Skeena, which is
not representative of upper Skeena stocks. In past years (1980’s – late 1990’s) CWT
Chinook were produced for the upper Skeena from Kispiox (middle Skeena), Fort Babine
(upper Skeena) and the Toboggan Creek (upper Bulkley/Morice) Community
Involvement Projects. These provided a much needed supplement to depressed stocks and
information on harvest by Alaska and Canadian fisheries. Similar to Coho CWT
programs from the same facilities, these provided the only relevant information on
interceptions and exploitation rates available to FOC prior to and during the coho crisis.
Recent moves by FOC to reduce marking of enhanced fish appears to be a huge step
backwards for assessment and is not viewed as positive by local fishers.
To further articulate our position as an action item……We in the north want an upper
Skeena Chinook indicator from at least one of the stocks in jeopardy and we want
SEHAB support for this initiative to HEB.
2. Marking and Assessment Priority: Where hatchery fish are being released we want
support to continue marking (regardless of who pays for it) and a commitment from FOC
to continue to improve monitoring for marks. We feel this is key to better understanding
our Skeena stocks for all concerned. FOC locally seems determined to drop marking as a
priority even if stewardship groups are willing to pay for it. In some jurisdictions on the
coast all released fish must be marked and one would think that consistency would be key
to assessment goals over all jurisdictions. Currently FOC recovery and monitoring efforts
for marks through the commercial and commercial sport fishery in the north are abysmal
and we need this information to determine why our upriver stocks are in decline and
who’s catching them.
3. Relevant to the Chinook enhancement and marking issues, the Kispiox SEP was closed
by the current CA in 1996 and the Fort Babine SEP facility was taken from the 20 year
contractor (Fort Babine Enterprises) and handed off to the Chicago Creek Enhancement
Society to operate for the past 3 years. FOC - HEB staff were directly involved in both of
these debacles and recent comments and initiatives by OHEB staff continue to irk First
Nations stewards and compromise their efforts to remain involved in stewardship
activities. Unsolicited comments from the above groups, as well as Houston
representatives suggest there are continuing issues related to FOC’s selective working
relationship with stewards in the area. This is nothing new for some of the groups here
but should be a cause for concern for HEB officials and FOC regional staff.
4. Another major issue looming for Skeena Country is the Coalbed Methane
exploration being pushed by the Province of BC. The following excerpt from the
Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition outlines the issue.
SHELL OIL DRILLING ON THE SKEENA
~ Submitted by the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
Shell Oil has been granted tenure to drill exploratory wells for Coalbed Methane on the Skeena River. 4
wells have been approved by the government without any input from the residents or First Nations. There
is no place in the world where Coalbed Methane and salmon or steelhead have been able to co-exist but the
government and Shell have assured us that our resources will be protected. Their promises are about as
meaningful as the promise the fish farms won’t harm our wild salmon! The Ministry of Energy and Mines
as well as the Oil and Gas Commission of BC have fewer laws in place than Alberta to protect our wild
resources. Employment seems to be the key reason the government claims to support such mega-projects
in our sacred headwaters but when the 11 other coalbed methane projects in BC get 85% of their employees
from Alberta, I tend to question whose employment are we trying to improve? Less than 1% of the jobs on
a coalbed methane jobsite go to residents of the local communities affected by the development.
In a study conducted last year on the Oil and Gas sites currently operating in Northeastern BC, there were
more than 3000 environmental infractions cited as well as more than 75% of soil or water near the sites
contaminated to the point that it is not fit for consumption and in some cases, quite lethal. If you would
like more information on this, you can visit any of the websites listed below.
www.dogwoodinitiative.org, www.wcel.org, www.cbmwatch.ca
5. A Mega Project proposed for Northern BC with major habitat protection implications.
The Enbridge Gateway Pipeline Project
The Environmental Process Modernization Plan proposed by Fisheries will have to
demonstrate a profound ability to deal with the methane exploration AND the Enbridge
Gateway Pipeline. This mega project proposes to cross the northern part of the province
from Alberta with an oil pipeline to the Port of Kitimat. The proposed pipeline, along
with the Shell gas exploration constitute the two major issues facing Northwest BC and
pose a serious environmental risk to upper Fraser, Skeena, Nass, Stikine and the upper
Finlay Rivers. The first four of which represent the best remaining salmon rivers on the
BC coast.
With little population base in our northern communities the need to review and monitor
development plans places an onerous burden on regional stewardship groups. In order to
protect environment and habitat through these processes reliance on our agencies and
other NGO’s is imperative. Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada will have to
demonstrate a strong commitment early in the process to ensure habitat and water quality
are a priority issue. More on Enbridge as the information comes available. (web address
for preliminary report – www.endbridge.com/pdf/2005-11-02-gatewaypip.pdf )

June 2005

Ev Person – Smithers and Northwestern B.C. (Brenda Donas)

1. Chicago Creek PIP project building destroyed by fire January 28th. New building close to lock-up stage according to Greg Houlden, Chair of Chicago Creek.
2. Babine River Fish Health Monitoring Program not happening due to budget cuts.  (This was to establish a baseline to check against the introduction of fish farms at mouth of Skeena.)
3. Steelhead started spawning two weks early due to warmer water temperatures.  I walked a short stretch of Toboggan Creek two weeks after spawning started and observed 18 spawners.  Light was poor for observing.
4. Toboggan hatchery is going well.  Money-wise, we had to extend our line of credit to $40,000 as we were $26,000 into our credit line before our first advance came through.
5. I attended a Friends of Wild Salmon Workshop in Terrace May 7th.  It was attended by many groups, natives from the Skeena and Kitimat, commercial fishermen, anglers, sport fish lodges, Alaska trollers, etc.
6. They want a moratorium on any further expansion of netcage finfish farms on the Coast of B.C.
7. Mike O'Neill, our hatchery manager, has been on CBC Radio and Northern TV promoting the turning in of heads of adipose-clipped hatchery fish.  (see handout)

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Upper Skeena Roundtable Report –February 2008
A scientific review of Skeena River salmon and steelhead stocks has been initiated through an agreement with Fisheries & Oceans Canada and the Provincial Ministry of Environment. This process is headed by a group of 5 noted scientists from the west coast who are to review existing stock information on the Skeena and come up with recommendations for future fisheries prior to the 2008 commercial fishing season. A lot of information to digest and a short time frame for serious comment but we wish the panel well and are hopeful for a constructive result. The funding for this initiative is apparently through the Tide Foundation and from the Moore Foundation from the USA. Our government must not have the money or a serious enough commitment to the Skeena resource to look after the second largest river on the west coast.
The Moore Foundation via Tide is also fronting money to the Skeena Wild Foundation for a Skeena Watershed Committee De-brief. Skeena Wild is the newest NGO in the area and the Skeena Watershed Committee (SWC) was a multi-sectoral groups set up in the 1990’s to deal with Skeena fisheries management issues in a co-management context. Since the SWC’s demise, when the commercial sector stepped away from the process, North Coast fisheries management has again slipped back into its old ways and stocks of all species are again in decline on the Skeena. One can only hope that taking funds from outside sources does not compromise the process for residents and fishers of the area. The purpose of the de-brief is to try and take what worked from the old process and perhaps try and establish a new consultation/management process with Skeena stakeholders. The group attending will include agency members, some interested observers and a few of the other First Nation, sport and commercial sector members from the past committee.
The Provincial Quality Waters Process has completed it’s first of a few trips through the watershed towards compiling Angling Management Plans for many northern rivers with angling use issues. This is the fifth process and fifth consultant in the past 15 years that the province has hired to try and do their job for them. Let’s hope something gets done this time around.
The latest resource news from the mining sector related to the Upper Skeena is a proposal from Fortune Minerals to run a pipeline from the Upper Skeena to a railhead at Hazelton to transport a coal and water slurry from the coal deposits in the upper watershed to the Prince Rupert container port. They contend that the water used to transport the coal in the pipeline should be clean as it would be just like running it through a charcoal filter….perhaps they think it’s a way to cleanup the sour water from their methane deposits!?

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Upper Skeena Roundtable Report – Fall 2007
The Bulkley River went from a forty year low water period in summer/fall 2006 to historic recorded high in June 2007. Heavy snow packs and a slow spring thaw kept all upper Skeena tributaries at high levels into late summer. This affected angling for Chinook due to water conditions and sockeye and coho fishing were considered poor overall for most systems.
High water also affected access to Chinook broodstock in upper Bulkley but spawners did make it into the upper watershed to areas they have not always make it to in recent years.
A new program for Morice Chinook was initiated through Pacific Salmon Commission funding from the Northern Endowment Fund for Chinook Enhancement, the purpose is to provide a CWT group from the Morice River. Broodstock was taken from the Morice by the Toboggan Creek Society in September of 2007 to start this program.
Coded Wire Tagging is again an issue for the north as results from the monitoring are dismal for the commercial trollers who were found to be non compliant overall (>70%). There is also no structured monitoring of marked fish for the burgeoning charter and tidal sportfishery which leave a large gap in any CWT data being collected.
Chinook runs to the Upper Skeena continue their downward slide with no apparent action by area managers. Results from 2007 are 30% of the 5 year average in the 1990’s and many rivers such as the Kispiox are not even being assessed for spawner counts.
Coho stocks in the upper Skeena appear to be down approximately 30% from last year and anglers reported poor success rates for their efforts, likely partially due to water conditions. Toboggan creek reported 2630 Coho adults into the stream of which 11.9% were CWT tagged hatchery returns. Coho were observed in Canyon creek following a 3 year fry outplanting program from the Toboggan facility and it was heartening to see Coho back to this system after many years.
The Gitanyow Chiefs are taking Fisheries & Oceans Canada to court for not meeting escapement goals for sockeye returns to the Kitwanga River. This has been a long standing issue with First Nations in the Upper Skeena as Fisheries continues to prosecute commercial fisheries at the mouth of the Skeena and continually fails to meet escapement goals for natural sockeye stocks in the region while attempting to harvest the enhanced Babine sockeye runs. Unfortunately this affects not only native sockeye stocks to all other tributaries but Chinook, Coho, Chum and Steelhead stocks bound for the upper Skeena rivers as well.
MOE has approached local anglers through the local SFAB to introduce a “NEW” initiative for a “Quality Waters Program” said to be designed to apply “Angling Management Plans” to some Skeena quality rivers by late 2009…..This after 20 years of a legislated requirement for Angling Use Plans that were never put in place. As
mentioned in our last report and brought up by local anglers at the meeting it may well be too late as that boat has sailed and our rivers appear to have been sold for $20 a day to as many non-resident as want to come.
Steelhead runs were said to be about the worst since the early 70’s and you won’t find much argument from anyone who bothered to go down to the river. Some big fish were caught and more smaller fish than normal but the average 6 – 16 pound fish were virtually absent from the population through much of the fishery. This from Babine and Kispiox reports as well. Local anglers report recent improvement in the fishing since the hordes have left the river but still slower than usual for this time of year.
Dutch Shell continues the push to develop Coalbed Methane in the Upper Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers with the support of the Provincial Government and against the wishes of the majority of the northern population. For more info see: http://skeenawatershed.com
We need all the help we can get to “Keep the Shell Out”

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Upper Skeena Roundtable Report
The Skeena system has had numerous years of years with low snow pack and as a result of this, and lack of precipitation in the summer we experienced very low flow conditions in most of our rivers (estimated to be 40 year lows). Groundwater tables were lower as well with many long term shallow wells drying up in the summer and fall. The lack of water in late summer fall impacted salmon trying to access the tributaries for spawning. Sockeye, Pink and Coho were the most noticeably affected. Current snow levels are said to be 150% of average and in the Bulkley valley we have over 3’ of snow on the ground and have had since the end of October.
In 2006 Chinook returns to the upper Skeena were slightly improved in a few main tributaries, such as the Kispiox, Kitwanga (5000-5500) and Morice, but dismal in the Bear Sustut, Babine etc. Runs to most streams are still well below optimum escapements and harvest by commercial trollers and commercial sport fishers in NWBC continue to climb. FOC spawner escapement estimates are inconsistent and considered unreliable due to lack of effort and concern. Chinook captured were considered to be larger in body size that the past year for 4 to 6 year old fish, this information was drawn from anglers at large and is analogue information only.
The Toboggan Creek Enhancement Society has received notification from the Pacific Salmon Commission of funding from the Northern Endowment Fund for Chinook enhancement to provide a CWT group from the Morice River. This will in future provide an index on Upper Skeena Chinook for more catch information from Alaskan and north coast fisheries should the effort to recover CWT’s continue.
On that we note we would like to reiterate the concern of northern groups on the reduction and/or elimination of CWTagging for Coho and Chinook from the CEDP and volunteer facilities. While we do recognize the high cost of tagging we question how you will be able to distinguish “wild salmon” from enhanced stocks should that policy ever reach the ground. We are losing our only sources of empirical information on who is catching what stock short of DNA sampling of a large portion of the landed catch. While collection of heads is poor in the Northcoast commercial and commercial sport fishery information from Alaska and inland sport fisheries are more consistent.
Coho returns were determined to be good in the area with estimates of 35–40,000 coho to the Bulkley Morice system, good returns o the Kispiox and a consistent return to Toboggan Creek (3100). Bulkley/Morice Coho estimates are derived from a tagging program through the Wet’Suwet’en First Nations at Moricetown, with upstream sampling at Toboggan Creek and Little Bulkley fence programs and tributary and helicopter surveys by WETfish and FOC staff.
2
Mission Creek, which is a small lower Bulkley stream enhanced by the Chicago Creek Enhancement Society counted 194 coho into the creek while expecting 900. Low flows were considered to be the primary reason for the low numbers of fish entering the stream.
The Provincial Government is still not participating in the existing SFAB process. There appears to be initiatives to set up their own process with meetings for the Skeena area in a central location. They do not intend to provide travel costs for volunteers and are currently trying to solicit more anglers at large to complement their selected membership. While crying lack of funds and staffing over the past so many years as the reason for not participating in SFAB they seem to have found monies for their own game and selective process. Efforts to engage MOE in steelhead assessment have again been rejected and there appears to be little hope in sight for cooperation on stewardship with the province in the north.
Perhaps the biggest issue facing northern fishers from the provincial perspective is the continued sale of our steelhead rivers to the parades of non-guided non-residents who invade our rivers in the fall. The Ministry seems to believe that conservation is accomplished only through catch and release of steelhead. They apparently do not feel there is any conservation concern for the spawning salmon, eggs in the gravel or other species of wildlife that used to frequent our rivers. Wildlife that depends on access to the river and its bounty can hardly get there without traffic control. There is absolutely no control over the numbers of stream stomping, how many, how big, how cheap, anglers that can arrive from outside of Canada to fish our rivers for weeks on end. Locals are tired of watching anglers wade through spawning salmon and redds and watching the parade of boats of all types from daylight to dark. Most locals have hung up their rods for steelhead, or at least until late fall in hopes the pressure will dissipate, but there appears to be no end in sight. While resident angler licence numbers plummet the Province continues to reap the bounty from the sale of access to our fair rivers to non-residents at $20.00 per day. Enforcement is at an all time low on the rivers and the increase of outfitters and guides from outside the country grows annually. When is enough enough?
We would like to thank SEHAB for their support on the upper Skeena Chinook index issue and for providing the list of abbreviations used so often in correspondence these days.
Our concerns from the north regarding habitat will be presented in the EPMP discussions and working group.

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Upper  Skeena Roundtable Report - May 13 and 14, 2006 As prepared by Ev Person
There has been little change in the situations in the north since the last SEHAB meeting in February. This in itself suggests there is little going on and no progress on issues brought forward previously.
There has been no response on the Chinook issue fishers have been complaining about over the last few years. Proposals to enhance and put out CWT groups from Upper Skeena stocks have been deep-sixed in favour of attempting to capture wild smolts and CWT tagging them. This will be cost prohibitive, marginally successful based on past attempts and we still won't have anything constructive or otherwise for another full cycle. The poor recovery efforts on existing CWTs suggest that unless there is more monitoring of catch for CWT this exercise will be futile.
The lack of attention to the declining Chinook stocks has set us up for another CK crisis similar to the 70s and early 80s. Managers should bear the blame for allowing this to get to this stage and ignoring the declining trends of the past cycle. Word is there appears to be lots of fish off the coast now but it remains to be seen how many actually make it up the river to spawn.
The fish farming issue continues to be the priority for many groups and individuals in the Skeena region as the Province and FOC are quietly supporting the initiative and ignoring the constituents. Coastal and upriver communities strongly oppose any fish farming off the Skeena and are very vocal but with little progress to date.
As previously mentioned there is currently a dramatic increase in exploration for coal, coalbed methane and minerals in general in northern BC, and with limited population and resources stewardship and environmental groups are working hard to keep up. Their efforts are currently to try and keep up to speed with the companies and agencies involved and to establish meaningful consultation processes rather than the open house scenario being utilized by the Ministry of Mines and others. A similar tack is being taken by Enbridge with the oil pipeline issue where public open house meet and greet are held but no meaningful consultation process for questions and answers are in place.
For more information on the coal and coalbed methane issue contact: Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition at 250 842-0021 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   For more information on the Fish farming issue contact: www.saveourskeenasalmon.com 
With respect to the EPMP, the word in our area is that we have already lost staff out of Prince Rupert and even if that person or position is replaced we will still not maintain status quo. I think we all know what status quo means. We have been going backwards already and less effort, more compliance based monitoring etc. will do little to protect habitat and fish from the impending projects in the north.

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SEHAB Roundtable North Coast February 2006
Upper Skeena Roundtable Report - February 17, 18 & 19, 2006
As prepared by Ev Person & G. Wadley (Alternate)
1. Priority Issue: As reported in Ev Person’s Oct. 2005 roundtable report the Chinook issue remains the priority issue from the Northwest. The depressed runs over the past few years have raised alarms with inland fishers with minimal response from FOC staff. Average run strengths to Skeena tributaries have declined dramatically in the past 10 years, in some cases by >60% of average escapements in the 1990’s.  (See attached Table “Chinook Escapements for Upper Skeena Tributary Streams”) This issue has been brought forward to FOC over the past 3 years through stewardship groups and the Sportfish Advisory Board and the response from FOC has been rhetoric. (See attached notes from the Northcoast SFAB meetings at the end of this report)
Skeena stewards have asked for a Chinook index stream from the upper Skeena for at least 5 years and applications for support and funding have been ignored. Currently the only Chinook index stream is the Kalum River, flowing into the lower Skeena, which is not representative of upper Skeena stocks. In past years (1980’s – late 1990’s) CWT Chinook were produced for the upper Skeena from Kispiox (middle Skeena), Fort Babine (upper Skeena) and the Toboggan Creek (upper Bulkley/Morice) Community Involvement Projects. These provided a much needed supplement to depressed stocks and information on harvest by Alaska and Canadian fisheries. Similar to Coho CWT programs from the same facilities, these provided the only relevant information on interceptions and exploitation rates available to FOC prior to and during the coho crisis.
Recent moves by FOC to reduce marking of enhanced fish appears to be a huge step backwards for assessment and is not viewed as positive by local fishers. 
To further articulate our position as an action item……We in the north want an upper Skeena Chinook indicator from at least one of the stocks in jeopardy and we want SEHAB support for this initiative to HEB.
2. Marking and Assessment Priority: Where hatchery fish are being released we want support to continue marking (regardless of who pays for it) and a commitment from FOC to continue to improve monitoring for marks. We feel this is key to better understanding our Skeena stocks for all concerned. FOC locally seems determined to drop marking as a priority even if stewardship groups are willing to pay for it. In some jurisdictions on the coast all released fish must be marked and one would think that consistency would be key to assessment goals over all jurisdictions. Currently FOC recovery and monitoring efforts for marks through the commercial and commercial sport fishery in the north are abysmal and we need this information to determine why our upriver stocks are in decline and who’s catching them.
3. Relevant to the Chinook enhancement and marking issues, the Kispiox SEP was closed by the current CA in 1996 and the Fort Babine SEP facility was taken from the 20 year contractor (Fort Babine Enterprises) and handed off to the Chicago Creek Enhancement Society to operate for the past 3 years. FOC - HEB staff were directly involved in both of
these debacles and recent comments and initiatives by OHEB staff continue to irk First Nations stewards and compromise their efforts to remain involved in stewardship activities. Unsolicited comments from the above groups, as well as Houston representatives suggest there are continuing issues related to FOC’s selective working relationship with stewards in the area. This is nothing new for some of the groups here but should be a cause for concern for HEB officials and FOC regional staff.
4.  Another  major  issue  looming  for  Skeena  Country  is  the  Coalbed  Methane exploration being pushed by the Province of BC.  The following excerpt from the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition outlines the issue.
SHELL OIL DRILLING ON THE SKEENA
~ Submitted by the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition 
Shell Oil has been granted tenure to drill exploratory wells for Coalbed Methane on the Skeena River.  4 wells have been approved by the government without any input from the residents or First Nations.  There is no place in the world where Coalbed Methane and salmon or steelhead have been able to co-exist but the
government and Shell have assured us that our resources will be protected.  Their promises are about as meaningful as the promise the fish farms won’t harm our wild salmon!  The Ministry of Energy and Mines
as well as the Oil and Gas Commission of BC have fewer laws in place than Alberta to protect our wild resources.  Employment seems to be the key reason the government claims to support such mega-projects
in our sacred headwaters but when the 11 other coalbed methane projects in BC get 85% of their employees from Alberta, I tend to question whose employment are we trying to improve?  Less than 1% of the jobs on
a coalbed methane jobsite go to residents of the local communities affected by the development.
In a study conducted last year on the Oil and Gas sites currently operating in Northeastern BC, there were
more than 3000 environmental infractions cited as well as more than 75% of soil or water near the sites contaminated to the point that it is not fit for consumption and in some cases, quite lethal.  If you would
like more information on this, you can visit any of the websites listed below.
www.dogwoodinitiative.org, www.wcel.org, www.cbmwatch.ca
5. A Mega Project proposed for Northern BC with major habitat protection implications.
The Enbridge Gateway Pipeline Project
The Environmental Process Modernization Plan proposed by Fisheries will have to demonstrate a profound ability to deal with the methane exploration AND the Enbridge Gateway Pipeline. This mega project proposes to cross the northern part of the province from Alberta with an oil pipeline to the Port of Kitimat.  The proposed pipeline, along with the Shell gas exploration constitute the two major issues facing Northwest BC and pose a serious environmental risk to upper Fraser, Skeena, Nass, Stikine and the upper Finlay Rivers. The first four of which represent the best remaining salmon rivers on the BC coast.
With little population base in our northern communities the need to review and monitor development plans places an onerous burden on regional stewardship groups. In order to protect environment and habitat through these processes reliance on our agencies and other NGO’s is imperative.  Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada will have to demonstrate a strong commitment early in the process to ensure habitat and water quality are a priority issue. More on Enbridge as the information comes available. (web address for preliminary report – www.endbridge.com/pdf/2005-11-02-gatewaypip.pdf  )
6. SEHAB related issues brought forward are as follows:
• Roundtable issues are a priority to constituents. Written reports can bring issues forward but there needs to be adequate time for discussion of major issues such that actions can be seen to follow from FOC.  There is no assurance that written comments or concerns will be adequately addressed through the process. We need to follow issues through the SEHAB process to see what has been resolved other than new processes.
• In that vein, there has been a myriad of new processes and new directions, reorganization,
obvious
dis-organization
and
little
action
from
FOC.
It
appears
the

issue
of $ to
carryout
the
programs
we
are
concerned
with
remains
one
of the

biggest
stumbling
blocks
and
more
effort
towards
funding
of programs
deemed

priority
by the
public
may
be
required.
What
did
happen
to
the
CEDP
review?
• Conservation and Protection issues related to habitat remains a concern with northern groups as the history of enforcement in our region is fraught with dissension and lack of action. We look for a clear path through the agency to record and report habitat violations and to follow the investigation and resolution or possible prosecution. FOC efforts with the two major projects should be transparent and accessible.
• Efforts are underway to increase communication with more stewardship groups in the area and an updated list will be forwarded within a month .
• If SEHAB is going to be responsible for, or expected to be educating the public about issues such as EPMP, Groundwater contamination, priority roundtable issues and funding sources, FOC will need to consolidate some of the information in concise presentation for dissemination to stewards and NGO’s. Formal presentations for EPMP will probably be required and FOC staff will have to be presenting.
• Ev Person (his 73
rd
birthday this year) has requested a dictionary of acronyms for ease of understanding the flow of e-mails and reports.
Copies of Notes and motions from a recent Northcoast Sportfish Advisory Board     Meeting 
NCCM01-10 – It was moved by Terri O’Neil and seconded by Tom Protheroe that DFO move quickly to provide for (finance and implement) an indicator stock for the upper skeena chinook stocks, and an indicator stock for lower skeena coho stocks.  PASSED UNAIMOUSLY
John McCulloch – Opportunities to establish conservation units for upper Skeena chinook may be possible through the Wild Salmon Policy.
Upper Skeena – Terri O’Neil
There is a growing concern regarding chinook escapements to the Bear/Sustut and Bulkley/Morice systems.  There was a discussion around Skeena sockeye and the restrictions placed on the recreational fishery in-season.  The Babine weir issue was discussed and it was suggested that DFO stock assessment should be invited to the next  meeting.  3 motions were introduced.
Chinook Stock Assessment – Ivan Winther(FOC CK BIO)
All of the normal summertime stocks came in less than we have been experiencing recently.  The Nass was better than the Skeena.  The Bear was very low and the counts were conducted by Dan Wagner so there is no concern with the method.  The Sustut was down to a lesser extent.  Doesn’t believe the Bear is being hit disproportionately in any fishery.
John Brockley – What is the difference between historical escapements and biological  based escapements?
Ivan Winther – The biological based goal is the amount needed to get maximum output.
Terri O’Neil – Why is there no CWT data for the Bulkley.
Ivan Winther – The Cedar and little Bulkley stocks have passed Tyee before the test  fishery starts.  We have looked at the little Bulkley CWT’s but because of run timing they miss most all of the domestic fisheries other than in terminal areas.  They are being harvested in Alaska.
John Brockley – There was a motion passed last spring to establish a tagging program in the upper Skeena.
Ivan Winther – Would have to look into it and would have to do a program of a few systems in the Skeena and also use radio tagging to compare to Kalum data.
Dave Peacock – Would cost 1 million dollars over 2 years.  We will do work for the Wild Salmon Policy but don’t believe will have any new funds.

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