November 2009
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
November 2009
SEHAB Rep –Leandre Vigneault/George Farrell
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
Community Advisor – Pat Fairweather
Challenges/Issues and Opportunities/Successes of the Volunteer Aquatic Stewards
1.Management (Fisheries Management)
Despite generally low levels of abundance of chum stocks around the islands DFO is still committed to fishing any identified surpluses and has accepted the annual cuts to the charter patrol program as they have not significantly affected the department’s ability to do that.Currently the two charter patrol do not inspected streams south of Juan Perez Sound on the east coast, south of Tasu Sound on the west coast or north of Skidegate Inlet and Channel.In the absence of charter patrolmen, the Coast Guard/DFO vessel Arrow Post has been tasked with inspecting some streams.However key streams, which were historically inspected by several charter patrolmen, are not being inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks and Coast Guard priorities.The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 streams) outside of Deena River coho (thanks to Haida Fisheries) and Tlell River coho (thanks to the Tlell Watershed Society).This lack of platforms and human resources is on going problem that does not seem to be likely to change in the foreseeable future.
The local office has hired a person to mentor with the current fisheries manager the department is to be commended on their proactive succession planning. In addition to working on fisheries management activities they have been able to get out and count some of the streams that have fallen through the cracks.
2.Enforcement (Conservation and Protection)
Four new replacement fisheries officers were hired in the last year and a half and more enforcement presence has been noted.
3.Habitat - Freshwater (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue.Parks Canada has secured further funding for both juvenile and adult enumeration, habitat restoration, and coho enhancement in Gwaii Haanas over the next 4 years.
The signing of the Strategic Land Used has placed 50% of the islands’ land area and 73% of the shoreline in protected areas and has set out some very stringent guidelines for riparian protection for forest activities.This a higher level plan so some of the ground implementation details still need to be worked out but is a huge step in the right direction and the is supposed to be fully implemented by December 2009.
Logging of riparian areas on private lands is still an issue.The area currently being logged is also in the community watershed for the town of Queen Charlotte and a local committee has been working to improve practices.The current downturn in the economy has resulted in much less logging on the islands as a whole.Currently the only significant logging employer on Graham Island is on private land making this a complex issue.
4.Habitat - Oceans, Estuaries and Marine (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
In addition to the newly announced Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area several marine conservation initiatives are on going right now.The Haida Fisheries Program is working on marine use planning for all of the waters surrounding Haida Gwaii and the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve is in intensive planning stages with an interim management plan scheduled to be ready for government approval in late 2008 or early 2009.The development of an integrated management plan for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) has started and stakeholders are trying to find their place within this new process.
5.Salmon Enhancement (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
Broodstock was a success and incubation is currently underway for all of small volunteer enhancement projects. The coho and chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) for Skidegate Inlet and east coast Graham Island have not yet completed the chum and coho broodstock collection. Their enhancement efforts concentrate on Coho streams which have been rehabilitated (rock berms and gradient control) at the mouth (highway culverts) and chum streams which have been restored (LWD placement and barrier manipulation) after damage from historic logging.
Salmon Unlimited, Husby Forest Products and the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club continue their Coho enhancement programs in Masset Inlet and Naden Harbour.Technical support for the Naden Harbour program becomes increasingly difficult to provide due to the DFO budget cuts.
Pallant Creek hatchery has been massively scaled back with no chum eggs taken and only 300,000 coho eggs collected.Funding is in place to see the coho through to realse as un-fed fry but the future of the facility beyond next spring is not clear at this time.
The department is to be commend in its prompt hiring of Pat Fairweather to replace Christina Engle as our Community Advisor. Pat has many years experience in the fisheries field and has extensive local knowledge having lived on Haida Gwaii for the past 16 years.
6.Science, Canadian Hydrographic Service (Science and Research)
As discussed in the fisheries management section above, for the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar.The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data in the Pacific Region has been reduced to a dangerously low, almost non existent, level by DFO over the last 20 years.Locally, DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River.However, over the last 4 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level.Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.In order to refocus the priorities of the charter patrol program they should be moved from fisheries management to stock assessment.
As well, additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring.The Wild Salmon Policy’s success depends on adequate monitoring, which at this time is missing.
7.Stewardship & Community Involvement (Stewardship & Community)
The Tlell Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii.The CIP has provided consistent support and funding. For the past 4 years, DFO North Coast Stock Assessment and the QCI Salmon Unlimited Society have provided the bulk of the inseason operating funds.We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistently support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy.TWS has successfully operated the new video counting system for the last 4 years.
The QCI Salmon Unlimited Society has completed several projects in partnership DFO and the Ministry of Highways to improve fish passage through culverts at the north end of the islands.
7.Consultations: Acts, Regulations, Policy, Program Development and Implementation, Capacity, and Partnerships (Consultations)
8.Treaty & Aboriginal Programs (Treaty & Aboriginal Programs)
9.Safe and Accessible Waters (Canadian Coast Guard, Navigable Waters, Small Craft Harbours)
October 2008
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
October 2008
SEHAB Rep – George Farrell/Leandre Vigneault
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
Community Advisor – Christina Engel
Challenges/Issues and Opportunities/Successes of the Volunteer Aquatic Stewards
1. Management (Fisheries Management)
Despite generally low levels of abundance of chum and pink stocks around the islands DFO is still committed to fishing any identified surpluses and has accepted the annual cuts to the charter patrol program as they have not significantly affect the department’s ability to do that. As there have recently been limited fishing opportunities in these areas, DFO has not regularly assigned a charter patrolman to inspected streams south of Juan Perez Sound on the east coast, south of Tasu Sound on the west coast or north of Skidegate Inlet and Channel for the last several years. In the absence of charter patrolmen, the Coast Guard/DFO vessel Arrow Post has been tasked with inspecting some streams however key streams, which were historically inspected by several charter patrolmen, are not being inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks and Coast Guard priorities. The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 streams) outside of Deena River coho (thanks to Haida Fisheries) and Tlell River coho (thanks to the Tlell Watershed Society). This lack of platforms and human resources is evident on the entire coast of British Columbia.
The North Coast Chinook commercial troll fishery has seen a dramatic reduction in fishing effort and quota. This management action is taken because of concerns over the status of Chinook stocks on the entire Pacific Coast.
2. Enforcement (Conservation and Protection)
Four new replacement fisheries officers have been hired in the last year and a half. All are relatively young and new to the job but have been keen to do their jobs and more enforcement presence has been noted.
3. Habitat - Freshwater (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. Parks Canada is pursuing further funding for both juvenile and adult enumeration, habitat restoration, and coho enhancement in Gwaii Haanas.
The signing of the Strategic Land Used has placed 50% of the islands’ land area and 73% of the shoreline in protected areas and has set out some very stringent guidelines for riparian protection for forest activities. This a higher level plan so some on the ground implementation details still need to be worked out but is a huge step in the right direction. With the removal of private lands from TFLs, riparian area protection on private lands has become an issue. The area currently being logged is also in the community watershed for the town of Queen Charlotte which is raising the profile of the issue.
The Community Involvement Programs BioTech and Education Coordinator and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers offered a hands-on Matter in Motion course and stream restoration on Charlie Hartie Creek. The QCS Secondary Outdoor Education class participated in 2 classroom sessions and 11 outdoor sessions. Preliminary stream assessments were funded by the Ministry of Transportation’s Environmental Enhancement Fund while restoration materials were funded by the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Chum salmon were observed this September above the 3rd culvert for the first time in over 25 years!
4. Habitat - Oceans, Estuaries and Marine (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
In addition to the newly announced Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area several marine conservation initiatives are on going right now. The Haida Fisheries Program is working on marine use planning for all of the waters surrounding Haida Gwaii and the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve is in intensive planning stages with an interim management plan scheduled to be ready for government approval in late 2008 or early 2009. To engage and inform Haida Gwaii residents in marine issues, Haida Fisheries, Gwaii Haanas, World Wildlife Fund Canada and DFO Oceans are working together to host ‘An Ocean Forum for Haida Gwaii’ on January 23 & 24, 2009. We are still waiting for DFO to formally announce the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) integrated marine use planning process so that communities and stakeholders have an official avenue to provide input.
Al Cowan, the long standing DFO Habitat Biologist for the islands, is scheduled for retirement in early 2009. He has been a very active and positive representative of DFO in our community and volunteers will be sad to see him go. However, it appears his replacement has been hired and will have an opportunity to learn from a seasoned veteran. DFO is to be congratulated for this opportunity for mentoring. We can only hope this is a standard that will continue to be met.
5. Salmon Enhancement (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
CIP Budget Cuts = less partnerships and reduced service by CA
The 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP in the Pacific Region has been denigrated by short sighted Federal, Regional and Area management decisions the past several years. Significant and historic programs have disappeared. This appeared to be an area management financial strategy in the past few years, specific to Haida Gwaii (the same as extensive patrolman cuts). It appears the CIP may not receive further cuts this next fiscal year.
Many believe it is imperative that DFO return the CIP to its own Regional Division which could avoid area managers making financial decisions that have a negative impact by area. Area Habitat Directors are not physically or logistically able to be fully committed to the advancement of the Community Involvement Program. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community CIP should be returned to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by a Regional staff outside the area management model.
The coho and chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) for Skidegate Inlet and east coast Graham Island have not yet completed the chum and coho broodstock collection. (Very low pink salmon returns led to limited pink eggs being incubated for Jungle Creek). Their enhancement efforts concentrate on Coho streams which have been rehabilitated (rock berms and gradient control) at the mouth (highway culverts) and chum streams which have been restored (LWD placement and barrier manipulation) after damage from historic logging.
Salmon Unlimited, Husby Forest Products and the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club continue their Coho enhancement programs in Masset Inlet and Naden Harbour. Technical support for the Naden Harbour program becomes increasingly difficult to provide due to the budget cuts mentioned above.
6. Science, Canadian Hydrographic Service (Science and Research)
As discussed in the fisheries management section above, for the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data in the Pacific Region has been reduced to a dangerously low, almost non existent, level by DFO over the last 20 years. Locally, DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. However, over the last 4 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org. In order to refocus the priorities of the charter patrol program they should be move from fisheries management to stock assessment.
As well, additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The Wild Salmon Policy’s success depends on adequate monitoring, which at this time is missing.
7. Stewardship & Community Involvement (Stewardship & Community)
The Tlell Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP has provided consistent support and funding. For the past 4 years, DFO North Coast Stock Assessment and the QCI Salmon Unlimited Society have provided the bulk of the inseason operating funds. We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistently support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. TWS has successfully operated the new video counting system for the last 3 years and is looking into some hardware and software upgrades to reduce the cost of operations for 2009.
The QCI Salmon Unlimited Society has completed several projects in partnership DFO and the Ministry of Highways to improve fish passage through culverts at the north end of the islands.
Haida Fisheries continues to provide education tours at Pallant Creek hatchery as well opportunities for people to learn by accompanying crews doing field work.
Peter Dyment is the new education coordinator hired to deliver the islands wide Stream to Sea program. Peter is a biologist and guide with a passion for waterways and fish. Peter and CA Christina Engel traveled to Harrison Hot Springs to participate in the CIP Education Coordinators meeting in August. This meeting provided inspiration and new ideas for the island wide Stream to Sea education program with all Haida Gwaii schools.
7. Consultations: Acts, Regulations, Policy, Program Development and Implementation, Capacity, and Partnerships (Consultations)
Hecate Strait Streamkeepers is continuing its partnership with the Ministry of Highways EEF fund to improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
A small amount of habitat restoration work has been funded by FIA over the past few years. This year additional money has been distributed to assess culverts on older active logging roads for fish passage issues.
8. Treaty & Aboriginal Programs (Treaty & Aboriginal Programs)
9. Safe and Accessible Waters (Canadian Coast Guard, Navigable Waters, Small Craft Harbours)
February 2008
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
February 2008
SEHAB Rep – George Farrell/Leandre Vigneault
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
Community Advisor – Christina Engel
1. CIP Budget Cuts = less partnerships and reduced service by CA
In contrast to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) written and verbal communications to the public about support for volunteerism and stewardship the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Advisor (CA) has received yearly and significant budget cuts on Haida Gwaii (15%+). The 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP in the Pacific Region is being denigrated by short sited Federal, Regional and Area management decisions. This appeared to be an area management financial strategy in the past few years, specific to Haida Gwaii, however this year it appears similar cuts to SEP/CIP are being experienced in some other management areas of the Pacific Region. Although the extent of program delivery damage through budget cuts was minimized through attrition (logging camp closures) in previous fiscal years, significant and historic programs have had to be suspended for lack of funds.
CA Christina Engel and HSS technical support could not gather chum eggs from Selwyn inlet this October because of the above mentioned budget cuts. The chum eggs which have been incubated and reared at the Pallant Creek Hatchery since the closure of Sewell were not gathered. Thus the partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers (NTA), Hecate Strait Streamkeepers and the Community Involvement Program in the chum enhancement program for Selwyn Inlet has been discontinued.
2. Chum Crisis
A chum crisis committee has been formed consisting of members from HSS, TWS, and NTA, (with support from the CA, Gowgaia Institute and Haida Fisheries). General consensus of the group ‘the chum are missing’ – there’s been a slow, steady decline of chum stocks in the past 4 to 5 years and recent evidence (escapement #’s) suggest the stocks may be approaching extinction levels in some areas on the Queen Charlottes. A major decline or extinction of our chum stocks will adversely affect all other species. Chum play a major role in the health of Coho salmon, our riparian areas and are an important contributing factor to our balanced ecosystems.
3. Stock Assessment
Locally, DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. The Tlell Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only wild adult coho and pink salmon counting fish fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP continues to be their most consistent supporter and funder. The North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project for the last 3 years. TWS has been in discussion with stock assessment in Prince Rupert about a multi-year funding arrangement and hope that the Tlell fish fence becomes an integral part of a DFO strategy to consistency support data collection for implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. Other important past funders for the Tlell River fish counting fence have been: QCI Salmon Unlimited, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gwaii Trust Society. For the 2007 season we have had a very informal commitment of funds from QCI Salmon Unlimited but have not received any funds to date. The TWS will also be seeking to establish a multi-year funding arrangement with this group.
The TWS successfully installed and operated a new underwater video counting system in 2006 and this system was used again in 2007. The system allows for a lower cost, more accurate count of the salmon run. A lack of committed funds to the project until later in the salmon spawning season delayed fish counting work in 2007 and the video counting is still in progress. The old and dangerously corroded steel fish fence walkways were also replaced with aluminum walkways this year. Frequent and extreme high water during the 2007 counting season resulted in minor damage to the fish counting fence. The TWS intends to apply to the Pacific Salmon Foundation for funds to complete repairs to the fence in 2008.
For the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data in the Pacific Region has been reduced to a dangerously low, almost non existent, level by DFO over the last 20 years. Spawner surverys for chum have been reduced by >80 % since 1995. Coho spawner counts have been virtually eliminated except for interested locals and volunteers collecting broodstock.
Over the last 4 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.
In an abrogation of its responsibility and mandate DFO did not inspect any of several dozen of streams this year. The few streams, which are inspected by the 2 charter patrolmen, can not be inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks. The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 + streams) except for the Tllel River Coho (thanks to the Tllel Watershed Society). Unfortunately, flooding prevented Haida Fisheries from conducting any AUC counts on the Deena River.
4. Enhancement
As has been mentioned the partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers Association, and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers in the chum enhancement program for Selwyn Inlet has been discontinued.
The coho and chum enhancement program (NTA, ABG, & HSS) for Skidegate Inlet and east coast Graham Island had difficulty in meeting egg targets for both Chum and Coho because of seriously low numbers of chum, below average numbers of coho , and heavy flooding. Many new streams have been added to their enhancement efforts concentrating on Coho streams which have been rehabilitated (rock berms and gradient control) at the mouth (highway culverts) and chum streams which have been restored (LWD placement and barrier manipulation) after damage from historic logging.
Salmon Unlimited coho enhancement program for Masset Inlet continues.
The Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club meet its coho egg take target. Mamin River coho returns were reported by volunteers to be below average. Coho fry are being ponded the first week of February. The hatchery upgrade continues to provide a much improved environment for fish culture.
Husby Forest Products is supporting the last isolated volunteer hatchery on Haida Gwaii. Technical and logistical support for broodstock collection is very difficult for CA Christina Engel because of budget constraints. Flood conditions made broodstock collection difficult. Engineering staff at the camp recently shocked and picked their eggs.
5. Education
All schools on Haida Gwaii have incubators running. Education coordinator Brian Skelton is delivering eggs and salmon life cycle and habitat talks from the end of January thru the second week of February. A 12 session Matter in Motion and stream rehabilitation course beginning in March is again being offered to the Queen Charlotte Senior Secondary Outdoor Ed Program. The ALMathers OE program is also in the planning stages. Details are still to be worked out but it is hoped that CA Engel, Habitat Biologist Cowan and Habitat technician McDiarmid will be able to support Brian in this valuable and successful education program. It is planned to apply for PSF funding for materials.
6. Other
In other matters, the Council of the Haida Nation and the Province of BC agreed to protect of much of the unlogged portion the Tlell River watershed through the Haida Gwaii Strategic Land Use Agreement signed in mid-December 2007. For the past 15 years the TWS has actively pursued the conservation and protection of the Tlell River watershed through various activities, including support for the CHN in land use planning. A community feast celebrating this historic agreement was held Jan 31 with the Premier and other dignitaries in attendance.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. However, further funding for both juvenile and adult enumeration and habitat restoration in Gwaii Hanas has not been secured.
Recommendations
Chronic under funding for essential DFO services combined with a dysfunctional area management scheme have led to:
1. reduction in CIP program delivery and an under valued volunteer stewardship community
2. an abrogation of DFO responsibility to inspect and assess salmon streams.
Additional monies should be returned to the DFO by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) and science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The health of our salmon populations and the Wild Salmon Policy’s success depends on adequate monitoring, which at this time is missing. Strategic plans and management strategies supporting an operational framework could outline where and how additional funds should and are being used.
DFO should return the PIP to its own Regional Division which could avoid area managers making financial decisions that have a negative impact by CA or area. Area Habitat Directors are not physically or logistically able to be fully committed to the advancement of the Community Involvement Program. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community, CIP should be a regionally supported Division, returning it to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by a Regional staff outside the area management model.
October 2007
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
October 2007
SEHAB Rep – George Farrell/Leandre Vigneault
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
Community Advisor – Christina Engel
Individuals and stewardship groups in Skidegate Inlet have become very concerned about the collapse of chum salmon stocks in the last 5-6 years. Upon further investigation it appears evident that chum stocks have collapsed (except for a few site specific streams) in the whole North Coast. Local fisherman are aware of declines of stocks caused by environmental conditions and habitat loss. Many are convinced that the recent reports (radio and newspaper) of miles of illegal nets on the high seas are having an even more devastating effect on specific species. In this view only Chinook and Coho are not being affected by this illegal fishing. In view of the concern generated in the community, the Northern Trollers Association, Hecate Strait Streamkeepers and Haida Fisheries have agreed to meet and discuss options for verifying and highlighting this concern and providing a political push to monitor and enforce actions against illegal fishing on the high seas.
In contrast to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) written and verbal communications to the public about support for volunteerism and stewardship the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Advisor (CA) are threatened yearly with significant budget cuts on the North Coast (15%+). This appeared to be an area management financial strategy in the past few years, however this year it appears similar cuts to SEP/CIP are being experienced in all areas of the Pacific Region. Although the extent of program delivery damage through budget cuts was minimal last fiscal year, the accumulated cuts are negatively impacting program delivery this year. The 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP in the Pacific Region is being denigrated by short sited Federal, Regional and Area management decisions.
Many believe it is imperative that DFO return the CIP to its own Regional Division which could avoid area managers making financial decisions that have a negative impact by area. Area Habitat Directors are not physically, financially or logistically able to be fully committed to the advancement of the Community Involvement Program. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community CIP should be returned to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by a Regional staff outside the area management model.
For the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data in the Pacific Region has been reduced to a dangerously low, almost non existent, level by DFO over the last 20 years. Locally, DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. However, over the last 4 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. (Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org).
Additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The Wild Salmon Policy’s success depends on adequate monitoring, which at this time is missing.
Many on Haida Gwaii believe that a return to a separate Community Involvement Division within DFO along with dedicated planning teams for each Community Advisor’s area is a number 1 priority. At the very least a region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas. Community Advisor, Christina Engel, has held a successful fish health planning meeting for all Haida Gwaii facilities. Engineering and biological support for volunteer groups from the Resource Restoration Unit since Y2K has never approached the support received prior to the Y2K reorg.
The Tllel Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP continues to be their most consistent supporter and funder. The North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project for the last 2 years. We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistency support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. Other important funders for this fence have been: QCI Salmon Unlimited, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gwaii Trust.
TWS successfully operated the new video counting system last year and has built on this past success this year.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. However, further funding for both juvenile and adult enumeration and habitat restoration in Gwaii Hanas has not been secured.
In an abrogation of its responsibility and mandate DFO will not inspect any of several dozen of streams south of Darwin Sound (and in all areas of the islands) this year. Streams, which are inspected by the 2 charter patrolmen, can not be inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks. The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 streams) outside of the Deena River Coho (thanks to Haida Fisheries) and the Tllel River Coho (thanks to the Tllel Watershed Society).
Several educators (4) from Haida Gwaii traveled to Bamfield to participate in the CIP Education Coordinators meeting in August. This yearly meeting provides inspiration and new ideas for the island wide Stream to Sea education program with all Haida Gwaii schools.
Salmon Unlimited and the Community Involvement Program have financially supported the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club’s hatchery upgrade. The upgrade at the hatchery has been a complete success. Both the quality (O2) and quantity of water has been significantly improved. A backup water recirc system has also been installed.
The partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers (NTA), and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers in the chum enhancement program for Selwyn Inlet continues. CA Christina Engel and HSS technical support are gathering chum eggs this October. The eggs and fry will be incubated and reared at the Pallant Creek Hatchery.
The coho and chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) for Skidegate Inlet and east coast Graham Island are continuing their broodstock collection this fall. Their enhancement efforts concentrate on Coho streams which have been rehabilitated (rock berms and gradient control) at the mouth (highway culverts) and chum streams which have been restored (LWD placement and barrier manipulation) after damage from historic logging.
Hecate Strait Streamkeepers is continuing its partnership with the Ministry of Highways EEF fund to improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
The ITQ “test fishery” as a resource management tool is of great concern. Many believe ITQ’s will eliminate the owner operator which has been the backbone of our small communities. The rights to commercially fish will become concentrated in the hands of a small number of corporations. The creation of ITQ’s privatizes a common resource and is being resisted by coastal communities and the active fishing community. DFO fish managers miscalculated quotas and because of this error in judgement (lack of data) cut off the last part of the season for many trollers.
The implication of the lack of funding to implement the EPM Plan is of concern in the Northcoast. This plan should require active monitoring of habitat (baseline data) prior to industrial or linear development. The lack of funds to support field staff to accomplish this primary function is evident.
June 2007
Christina Engel - Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
SEHAB Member – George Farrell
(Report submitted by Leandre Vigneault, Alternate Member)
In contrast to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) written and verbal communications to the public about support for volunteerism and stewardship the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Advisor (CA) are threatened yearly with significant budget cuts on the North Coast (15%+). This appears to be an area management financial strategy and similar threats of cuts to CIP are not being experienced in other areas of the Pacific Region. Although the extent of program delivery damage through budget cuts was minimal last fiscal year, the 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP on Haida Gwaii is being denigrated by short-sighted Area management decisions.
Many believe it is imperative that DFO return the CIP to its own Regional Division that could avoid area managers making financial decisions that have a negative impact by area. Area Habitat Directors are not physically or logistically able to be fully committed to the advancement of the Community Involvement Program. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community CIP should be returned to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by its own Regional staff outside the area management model.
For the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data has been reduced to a dangerously low almost non-existent level by DFO over the last 20 years. DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. However, over the last 3 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. As an example, the charter patrol budget for the Queen Charlotte Islands was reduced by ~75% between 2000 and 2006 and this years budget has again been reduced by ~5% from last years budget. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.
Additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The Wild Salmon Policy’s success depends on adequate monitoring, which at this time is missing.
Many on Haida Gwaii believe that a return to a separate Community Involvement Division within DFO along with dedicated planning teams for each Community Advisor’s area is a number 1 priority. At the very least a region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas.
The Tlell Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP continues to be the most consistent supporter and funder. The North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project for the last 2 years. We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistently support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. Other important funders for this fence have been: QCI Salmon Unlimited, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gwaii Trust.
TWS has now successfully operated the new video counting system for 1 year.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. However, further funding for habitat restoration has not been secured. Juvenile assessment and adult Coho and Chum enumeration on 7 Lyell Island streams will be funded for 1 more season.
In an abrogation of its responsibility and mandate DFO did not inspect any of several dozen of streams south of Darwin Sound (and in all areas of the islands) last year. Streams, which were inspected by the 2 charter patrolmen, could not be inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks. The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 streams) outside of the 7 Lyell Island streams, the Deena River (thanks to Haida Fisheries) and the Tlell River (thanks to the Tlell Watershed Society).
Students from local schools have released their coho fry in May. Students at all schools have completed “bug” studies. Biologist Jody Bisset complements the island wide education program by providing Ocean curriculum in Haida Gwaii classrooms.
Salmon Unlimited and the Community Involvement Program have financially supported the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club’s hatchery upgrade. The upgrade at the hatchery has been a complete success. Both the quality (O2) and quantity of water has been significantly improved. A backup water recirc. system has also been installed. More than 25k Mamin coho were fed by local students and released at over 1.5 grams by students into the Blackwater trib
The partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers (NTA), and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers in the chum enhancement program for Selwyn Inlet continue. CA Christina Engel and HSS technical support managed to release several thousand Chum fry. These fry were transported by boat and backpack and released into Dass Creek. The eggs and fry were incubated and reared at the Pallant Creek Hatchery.
The chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) for Skidegate Inlet has had a successful year. 100,000+ chum fry have been released into the 4 small streams along the south shore of Skidegate Inlet collected.
Hecate Strait Streamkeepers is continuing its partnership with the Ministry of Highways EEF fund to improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
Another key issue for Haida Gwaii and the North Coast generally may very well be Fisheries Reform- Fisheries Act changes. Many fear the Conservative government is intent on privatizing habitat protection (EPMP) and the “fish resource” (ITQ).
The ITQ “test fishery” as a resource management tool is of great concern. Many believe ITQ’s will eliminate the owner operator, which has been the backbone of our small communities. The creation of ITQ’s privatizes a common resource and is being resisted by coastal communities and the active fishing community.
The implication of the implementation of the EPM Plan is just beginning to be understood in the Northcoast. This plan should require active monitoring of habitat (baseline data) prior to industrial or linear development. The lack of funds to support field staff to accomplish this primary function is evident.
As an example of what may be occurring in the Northcoast:
- The DFO QCI (District 9) Habitat Biologist has been a true champion of habitat protection and community stewardship. It appears his position (Bi 3) will be replaced by a HMB based out of Rupert whose travel budget to QCI will be dependent on the whims of area based management and politicians. New habitat monitoring positions (EPMP) are being created for the north coast based out of Prince Rupert. (to pay for this?)Some or all Habitat Technicians positions in the North Coast will be eliminated, current BI 3 positions will be reclassified BI 2 and become office jobs.
- Currently the QCI BI 3(soon to retire) is field oriented, intimately knowledgeable on most streams on QCI and the stewardship community. Habitat technicians on the North Coast are typically very involved with watersheds, industry and community.
Business and individuals who alter or damage fish habitat are “users” of the resource and should be managed and regulated at least as closely as commercial fisherman.
February 2007
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
February 2007
SEHAB Rep – George Farrell
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands
Community Advisor – Christina Engel
In contrast to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) written and verbal communications to the public about support for volunteerism and stewardship the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Advisor (CA) are threatened yearly with significant budget cuts on the North Coast (15%+). This appears to be an area management financial strategy and similar threats of cuts to CIP are not being experienced in other areas of the Pacific Region. Although the extent of program delivery damage through budget cuts was minimal this fiscal year, the 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP on Haida Gwaii is being denigrated by short sited Area management decisions.
I believe it is imperative that DFO return the CIP to its own Regional Division which would avoid area managers making financial decisions that have a negative impact by area. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community CIP should be returned to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by it’s own Regional staff outside the area management model.
For the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data has been reduced to a dangerously low level by DFO over the last 20 years. DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. However, over the last 3 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.
Additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The Wild Salmon Policies success depends on adequate monitoring which at this time is missing.
Many on Haida Gwaii believe that a return to a separate Community Involvement Division within DFO along with dedicated planning teams for each Community Advisor’s area is a number 1 priority. At the very least a region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas.
The Tllel Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP continues to be the most consistent supporter and funder. The North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project last year and again this year. We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistency support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. Other important funders for this fence have been: QCI Salmon Unlimited, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gwaii Trust.
TWS successfully operated the new video counting system. Coho migration was late this year because of low water levels. However the run size was good with about 10k full cycle adults and 2.5k jacks.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. Adult Coho and Chum enumeration on 7 Lyell Island streams were completed last fall season. In an abrogation of its responsibility and mandate DFO did not inspect any of several dozen of streams south of Darwin Sound this year. Streams, which were inspected by the 2 charter patrolment, could not be inspected in a timely fashion due to patrolman cutbacks. The reliability of salmon escapement numbers is very low for all of Haida Gwaii (200 streams) outside of the 7 Lyell Island streams, the Deena River (thanks to Haida Fisheries) and the Tllel River (thanks to the Tllel Watershed Society).
Students from local schools have set up their classroom incubators and received their coho eggs from Brian Skelton in January and February. Students at Port Clements Elementary completed a “bug” study and a weight sampling study to complement their feeding the coho program at the Port Clements Hatchery. Josina Davies complements the island wide education program by continuing to provide Ocean curriculum in Haida Gwaii classrooms.
Partnerships between Salmon Unlimited and the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club have been progressing. Salmon Unlimited has financially supported the hatchery upgrade. The upgrade at the hatchery has been a complete success. Both the quality (O2) and quantity of water has been significantly improved. A backup water recirc system has also been installed.
The partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers (NTA), and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers in the chum enhancement program in Selwyn Inlet continues. CA Christina Engel and HSS technical support managed to get several thousand Chum eggs for Dass Creek. The chum eggs were transported by boat to Pallant Creek Hatchery where the eggs will be incubated and fry reared. Broodstock collection for the south shore Skidegate Inlet chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) collected 100,000 + eggs. Fry are presently being ponded at the NTA Hatchery.
The Ministry of Highways has partnered DFO, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers to continue improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
The key issue for Haida Gwaii and the North Coast generally may very well be Fisheries Reform- Fisheries Act changes. Many fear the Conservative government is intent on privatizing habitat protection (EPMP) and the “fish resource”. In reading the Fisheries Ministers comments on changes to the Fisheries Act the word habitat is rarely if ever used and the support of east coast commercial fishers interest is heavily utilized.
As an example of misrepresentation of fisherman’s support in the Pacific Region look to the ITQ Area F troll Chinook so called “demonstration fishery”. This fishery was not “voluntary” as there was no real choice for commercial fisherman wishing to fish while Chinnok were in the area. More importantly ITQ’s will eliminate the owner operator that are the backbone of our small communities. The creation of ITQ’s privatizes a common resource and is being resisted by coastal communities and the active fishing community.
The implication of the implementation of the EPM Plan is just beginning to be understood in the Northcoast. This plan should require active monitoring of habitat (baseline data) prior to industrial or linear development. The lack of funds to support field staff to accomplish this primary function is evident.
As an example of what may be occurring in the Northcoast:
The DFO QCI (District 9) Habitat Biologist has been a true champion of habitat protection and community stewardship. It appears his position (Bi 3) will be replaced by a HMB based out of Rupert whose travel budget to QCI will be dependent on the whims of area based management and politicians. New habitat monitoring positions (EPMP) are being created for the north coast based out of Prince Rupert. (to pay for this?) Some or all Habitat Technicians positions in the North Coast will be eliminated, current BI 3 positions will be reclassified BI 2 and become office jobs.
Currently the QCI BI 3(soon to retire) is field oriented, intimately knowledgeable on most streams on QCI and the stewardship community. Habitat technicians on the North Coast are typically very involved with watersheds, industry and community.
Business and individuals who alter or damage fish habitat are “users” of the resource and should be managed and regulated at least as closely as commercial fisherman.
October 2006
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
October 2006
SEHAB Rep – George Farrell
Community Involvement Area – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
Community Advisor – Christina Engel
1. DFO Capacity
In contrast to Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) written and verbal communications to the public about support for volunteerism and stewardship, the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Advisor (CA) have taken a significant budget cut on the North Coast (15%+). This appears to be an area management financial strategy and similar cuts to CIP are not being experienced in other areas of the Pacific Region. Although the extent of program delivery damage can only be measured after the fact, the 30 year volunteer commitment fostered through the CIP on Haida Gwaii is being squandered by short sited Area management decisions.
I believe it is imperative that DFO return the CIP to its own Regional Division which would avoid area managers making financial decisions which have a negative impact by area. For DFO to truly show support to the volunteer stewardship community they should put the money where their mouth is and return CIP to its rightful position as a priority. We should all be demanding a Pacific Region Community Involvement Division supported by its own Regional staff outside the area management model.
2. Stock Assessment
For the most part stock assessment on Haida Gwaii continues to be off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of data concerning the timing and migration of local stocks is the basis of any salmon management plan or “science based” plan including the WSP. The collection of this data has been reduced to a dangerously low level by DFO over the last 20 years. DFO has made a good choice by supporting one coho fence count on the Tlell River. However, over the last 3 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have been reduced to an unacceptable level. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.
The Tllel Watershed Society (TWS) has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. The CIP continues to be the most consistent supporter and funder. The North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project last year and again this year. We hope this is part of a DFO strategy to consistency support data collection for the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. Other important funders for this fence have been: QCI Salmon Unlimited, Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gwaii Trust. The new video counting system has been purchased and installed. Coho migration has been slow to date because of low water levels.
3. Planning Team
Christina Engel, DFO Community Advisor, did put together a broodstock planning meeting with the support of Brian Anderson. Hopefully this is a first step in returning the planning team concept to the CIP on the QCI/Haida Gwaii.
Before the advent of “New Direction”, restructure and Resource Restoration Teams, a yearly planning meeting with the Community Advisor, technician, engineer and biologist (the “planning team”) was held. This included site visits to volunteers, CEDP facilities, hatcheries, fences and new projects for on the ground trouble shooting. This planning has rarely happened since restructure. The Resource Restoration Team has recently been doing good work in partnership with MoT on problem culverts; however, it has chosen not to participate in biological and technical planning for CIP in a number of years.
Many on Haida Gwaii believe that a return to a separate Community Involvement Division within DFO along with dedicated planning teams for each Community Advisor’s area is a number 1 priority. At the very least a region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas.
4. Updates
a. Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries (HFP) and DFO Community Involvement continue. HSS and HFP completed stream and juvenile assessment, and strategic, low tech stream restoration on selected streams on Lyell Island in July and August. Adult Coho and Chum enumeration on 7 Lyell Island streams will start in mid October. In an abrogation of its responsibility and mandate DFO has no plans to inspect any of dozens of streams south of Darwin Sound this year.
b. Students from local schools have been on field trips to observe spawning salmon and will be participating in coho egg takes later this month. Josina Davies will complement this education program by continuing to provide Ocean curriculum in Haida Gwaii classrooms.
c. Partnerships between Salmon Unlimited and the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club have been progressing. Salmon Unlimited has financially supported the hatchery upgrade. The possibility of locating a coho counting fence in Masset Inlet (Kumdis River) is also being investigated.
d. The partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers (NTA), and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers in the chum enhancement program in Selwyn Inlet continues. The hatchery and camp at Sewell Inlet have been closed so chum eggs are being incubated and fry reared at Pallant Creek Hatchery.
e. CA Christina Engel and HSS technical support managed to get a few thousand Chum eggs for Dass Creek. Water levels have been very low along with chum returns, making it difficult to obtain broodstock. Broodstock collection for the south shore
f. Skidegate Inlet chum enhancement program (NTA & HSS) has collect 100,000 eggs to date.
g. The Ministry of Highways has partnered with Salmon Unlimited, DFO, and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers to improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
h. A “Northern Regional Watershed Roundtable Inaugural Meeting” sponsored by Pacific Salmon Foundation and Enbridge Pipelines Inc. was held in Terrace Sept 8/9. The original “regional” area and invitation did not include Haida Gwaii. The anticipated outcome of this meeting was “to support or not support a regional process” and “to develop a framework for seeking funding…and prioritize allocation of funding resources.” No volunteers from Haida Gwaii were able to commit 3 days to attend this meeting. Some volunteers have expressed concern about possible partnerships with companies connected to the shipping of toxic condensate on our coast. I have not received a report on participation or outcomes of this meeting.
i. DFO’s Multi-Interest Dialogue Session was held in Prince Rupert’s Fisherman’s Hall October 4 & 5. There was good participation from the commercial fishing and native communities but little from the stewardship community. The session’s purpose was to provide information and consult with session participants on the Wild Salmon Policy, Fisheries Reform, the Environmental Process Modernization Plan (EPMP) and species proposed for listing under the Species at Risk Act. Several key issues/policies from participants were evident at this session:
i. DFO should immediately stop supporting open net salmon aquaculture as part of the Wild Salmon Policy. Money currently invested in Aquaculture should be invested in the field monitoring of the Wild Salmon Policy. Additional monies should be budgeted by Ottawa to support data collection (on the water, real time, real people) to support a science based monitoring of successes and failures in the creation of Conservation Units and Habitat Status Assessment Monitoring. The Wild Salmon Policies success depends on adequate monitoring which at this time is missing.
ii. Fisheries Reform. The ITQ Area F troll Chinook so called “demonstration fishery” was not “voluntary” as there was no real choice for commercial fisherman wishing to fish while chinook were in the area. More importantly ITQ’s will eliminate the owner operator which is the backbone of our small communities. The creation of ITQ’s privatizes a common resource and is being resisted by coastal communities and the active fishing community.
iii. EPMP-This plan requires active monitoring and the lack of funds to support field staff is evident. Business and individuals who alter or damage fish habitat are “users” of the resource and should be managed and regulated at least as closely as commercial fisherman.
February 2006
QCI/HAIDA GWAII ROUND TABLE
February 2006
Stock assessment on Haida Gwaii has taken a back seat to trans boundary rivers and the need for data concerning accurate run timing and size is off the DFO radar. The consistent and accurate collection of stock assessment data has been reduced to a dangerously low level by DFO over the last 20 years. Over the last 3 years fence counts, AUC counts, and the patrolman counts have reduced to an unacceptable level. Please read Patrolman Pettigrew’s letter to the Minister and replies on the web site sehab.org.
However, on the bright side, the Tllel Watershed Society has forged successful partnerships to continue operating the only adult counting fence on Haida Gwaii. Supported by the North Coast and QCI Sports Fish Advisory Boards they successfully lobbied DFO North Coast Stock Assessment to financially support this vital project. Other important funders were: QCI Salmon Unlimited, DFO PIP, and PSF. Plans for the coming season include purchasing, installing and piloting a video counting system along side the traditional count with people.
The planning team concept has not improved on the QCI/Haida Gwaii. Before the advent of “New Direction”, restructure and Resource Restoration Teams, a yearly planning meeting with the Community Advisor, technician, engineer and biologist (the “planning team”) was held. This included site visits to volunteers, CEDP facilities, hatcheries, fences and new projects for on the ground trouble shooting. This planning has rarely happened since restructure. While the Resource Restoration Team may be doing good work on the North Coast, it has rarely benefited community groups on Haida Gwaii. I believe that a return to a separate Community Involvement Division with dedicated planning teams for each Community Advisor’s area is a number 1 priority. At the very least a region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas. Perhaps SEHAB could offer this advice to OHEB.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries and DFO Community Involvement continue. The Lyell Island Stream Restoration Steering Committee met February 13 to discuss last years program and plan for next years program. Stream assessment, juvenile and adult enumeration, strategic, low tech stream restoration, and monitoring protocols leading to possible strategic reintroduction of coho is on the agenda.
The Outdoor Ed program in Queen Charlotte Secondary will be in place again after a 1 year absence. CIP will be supporting 1/3 of the program in cooperation with Hecate Strait Streamkeepers (HSS) with watershed assessment and stream restoration activities. A sister group to HSS the Island Hikers Association may also become involved with trail mapping and restoration.
The classroom incubation program has completed delivery of eggs. Macro invertebrates studies have begun in Port Clements Elementary and will continue in other schools in March. Other activities in all schools will include Oceans curriculum provided by Josina Davies.
Partnerships between Salmon Unlimited and the Port Clements Salmon Enhancement Club have been progressing. Salmon Unlimited is investigating helping in the hatchery upgrade and possible funding for locating a coho counting fence in Masset Inlet (Kumdis River).
Community Advisor, Christina Engel, has forged a partnership between the Pallant Creek Hatchery (Haida Fisheries), Northern Trollers, and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers to continue the chum enhancement program in Selwyn Inlet. The hatchery and camp at Sewell Inlet have been closed so chum eggs are being incubated and fry fed reared at Pallant Creek Hatchery. NTA and HSS volunteers plan on transporting by boat to Dass Creek and releasing fry in April of this year.
The Ministry of Highways has partnered with Salmon Unlimited, DFO, and Hecate Strait Streamkeepers to improve culvert and fish passage problems along Highway 16. This positive involvement of a provincial government Ministry has been very encouraging for volunteers.
OCTOBER 2005
Haida Gwaii Marine Planning Forum – July
-hosted by Haida Fisheries Program, Gwaii Haanas & WWF Canada
-empower people to proactively engae in marine planning Haida Gwaii
-overview of marine uses and issues
-guests discuss marine conservation tools
Habitat Restoration – June, July
-Hecate Strait Streamkeepers has completed a multi phased habitat restoration project, receiving funding and support from Ministry of Highways, Gwaii Trust, DFO and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Ocean side habitat was successfully manipulated to address migration and erosion problem culverts on the highway. MoT was suitably impressed with HSS ability to satisfactorily address migration and erosion problems for $3k on each culvert. Upstream habitat degradation caused by logging and beaver invasion, which caused downstream highway flooding, has been rehabilitated and will need monitoring to insure no flooding in the future and continued habitat improvement.
Hatcheries
Only chum broodstock collected to this point of the season. Sewell Inlet camp is being decommissioned. Community Advisor, Christina Engel, is attempting to continue the Selwyn Inlet chum program by forging a partnership with Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Northern Trollers, and Pallant Creek Hatchery. To date 20k Dass chum eggs have been placed in a special heath stack at Pallant Creek. Hecate Strait and the Northern Trollers have experienced the best year yet in the North Moresby chum program with approximately 120k chum eggs collected.
The Alliford Bay Hatchery Group has cleaned their water supply and intake. They will be again using their hatchery site for the coho program. The Northern Trollers have provided space for the ABH eggs for the past 2 years.
The Yakoun River Hatchery had a major scare when a diesel truck spilled its contents on a hillside leading to Marie Lake. The emergency response by hatchery staff (release of all stocks holding in Marie Lake) and the cleanup crew has been successful to date. However, the jury is still out on the long term health of the watershed and the location of net pen rearing sites.
Fences
Tlell Watershed Society has received funding to install and run its fence. They are presently writing proposals to secure the long term operation of the fence. The Jungle fence has been redesigned by the Lawn Hill Group and is scheduled for repair the summer of 2006
Stock Assessment
Stock assessment on Haida Gwaii has taken a back seat to trans boundary rivers and the need for data concerning accurate run timing and size is off the DFO radar. Some community groups are considering what action they can take to protest this lack of information gathering and the ramifications for wild salmon.
Partnerships
The most significant partnership on island is working in Gwaii Haanas. Haida Fisheries, Hecate Straight Streamkeepers, DFO, and Parks Canada our working towards a project in Gwaii Hanas which assessess salmon habitat and stock abundance, restores or rehabilitates habitat and investigates enhancement opportunities.
Community Involvement Program
There has been some discussion about budget cuts to at least 2 CAs on the North Coast. It appears the North Coast Area Management may not be aware that the Minister of Fisheries has pledged there will be no cut to SEP.
JUNE 2005
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.
0) George Farrell – Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwai (Christina Engel)
Individual transferable Quota scheme for Northern Trollers is being put in place on “volunteer” basis. This scheme privatizes the salmon resources and leads to centralizing fishing rights in the hands of non fishers and away from the community. Community volunteers and fishers believe managers should be ashamed of themselves for this scheme.
The planning team concept has completed dissolved on the QCI. It has been replaced by a Resource Restoration Team who have refused to give advice on counting fence modifications. A region wide standard of planning should be established for all areas. Perhaps SEHAB could offer this advice to OHEB.
Good relations between Hecate Strait Streamkeepers, Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries and DFO Community Involvement. Stream assessment, juvenile and adult enumeration, strategic, low tech stream restoration, leading to possible strategic chum and coho enhancement. Two streams on Lyell Island in Atli Inlet will be the focus of energies this July.
20th annual CIP Volunteer Banquet was held May 27th. Several people received awards. 4 year, 10 year, 20 year and 30 year.
The Outdoor Ed program in Queen Charlotte Secondary will be in place again after a 1 year absence. CIP will be supporting 1/3 of the program in cooperation with Hecate Strait Streamkeepers (HSS) with watershed assessment and stream restoration activities. A sister group to HSS the Island Hikers Association may also become involved with trail mapping and restoration.
The classroom incubation program has completed most of its releases. Other activities in all schools have included Oceans curriculum provided by Josina Davies and macro invertebrates and estuaries studies provided by George Farrell.