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.