KSNC Stewardship Plan I June 2016 SUMMARY

Kischi Sipi Namao Committee

Namao (Lake Sturgeon) Stewardship Plan

June 2016

PREFACE

In 2012, Manitoba Hydro (MH), Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP), Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN), War Lake First Nation (WLFN), York Factory First Nation (YFFN), Fox Lake Cree Nation (FLCN), and Shamattawa First Nation (SFN) entered into the Lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon Stewardship Agreement (2012). All of the parties to that Agreement recognized that Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River had been adversely affected by a number of factors and had a common interest in protecting the stock. The Agreement set out objectives for defining and carrying out projects to monitor and increase knowledge of Lake Sturgeon and ultimately to conserve and enhance populations.

To meet the objectives of the Agreement, the signatory parties agreed to form, and participate in, the Lower Nelson River Sturgeon Stewardship Committee, which ultimately was renamed the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee (KSNC). The Committee is seen as being complimentary to other Lake Sturgeon co- management activities within the Province. The Committee’s focus includes the Lake Sturgeon populations inhabiting the lower Nelson system from Kelsey Generating Station (GS) to Hudson Bay including tributaries, and the Hayes River system including the Hayes, Gods, and Echoing rivers.

The first core activity listed within the Terms of Reference for the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee is to develop a Sturgeon Stewardship Plan that sets overall research, monitoring and enhancement measures, objectives, and strategies for protection and enhancement in the lower Nelson River for the immediate (1-3 years), medium (3-5 years) and long term (greater than 5 years) future. The objective of the plan is to provide guidance and to set priorities for the Committee. A workshop and meetings were held to develop the plan by consensus of Committee members. This document presents the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee Stewardship Plan.

KSNC Stewardship Plan i June 2016 SUMMARY

Pursuant to its Terms of Reference, the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee initiated a process in fall, 2014 to develop a Stewardship Plan for Lake Sturgeon inhabiting the lower Nelson River system from Kelsey GS to Hudson Bay including tributaries, and the Hayes River system including the Hayes, Gods and Echoing rivers. The Plan’s foundation was formulated during a workshop with broad community participation held at the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson, Manitoba on February 24- 26, 2015. In attendance were KSNC members and/or advisors from FLCN, SFN, TCN, WLFN, and YFFN, along with invited community members including elders, resource users and youth. Representatives from MH, KHLP, Manitoba Sustainable Development (MSD) and the Nelson River Sturgeon Board (NRSB) also participated. Guests shared their expertise in sturgeon populations and recovery.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

 Exchange traditional and scientific knowledge of Lake Sturgeon;  Develop a plan for committee priorities and activities going forward;  Broaden community involvement and determine community priorities in sturgeon stewardship; and  Map out approaches to stewardship that are agreeable to the communities and jurisdictions involved.

Follow-up meetings were held on December 1, 2015 and February 2, 2016 to further develop a common vision, goals and conservation strategies.

This KSNC Stewardship Plan is based on the ideas and priorities put forth at the workshop and the two follow-up meetings. The Plan has also drawn on existing literature that focuses on both scientific and aboriginal knowledge. The Plan is seen as a living document that will be revised as the committee focuses its efforts.

The Plan is divided into four distinct sections:

 A review of existing information on Lake Sturgeon, including a general description of the species, its life history needs and its historical and current status and use in the lower Nelson and Hayes rivers;  An overall vision, goals and priorities for the KSNC;  A description of the strategies that the KSNC envisions for achieving the goals; and  A description of how the Plan will be implemented on an ongoing basis.

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BACKGROUND

Nelson River Lake Sturgeon are currently listed as “Endangered” by the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada, while Lake Sturgeon inhabiting the Hayes River system have been designated as part of the Southern Hudson/James Bay populations and are listed as “Special Concern”. No decision has been made with regard to listing Nelson River Lake Sturgeon under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. The species is currently under review and another assessment is expected to be completed in 2016. As part of a recovery potential assessment conducted for Lake Sturgeon in 2010, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada divided the Nelson River into six Lake Sturgeon Management Units, four of which are encompassed by the area of concern for the KSNC: Kelsey GS to Kettle GS; Long Spruce Reservoir; Limestone Reservoir; and Limestone GS to Hudson Bay. Based on available data and expert opinion, the status of Lake Sturgeon in the reservoirs was considered “critical” as relatively few Lake Sturgeon were known to be present. The status of Lake Sturgeon from Kelsey GS to Kettle GS was deemed to be “cautious” with an unknown trajectory. The status of Lake Sturgeon downstream of Limestone GS was considered “healthy” with an unknown trajectory. The recovery potential assessment set a long-term recovery goal of protecting and maintaining healthy, viable populations of Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River. The KSNC’s Stewardship Plan is seen as complimentary to this goal and will place emphasis on undertakings that will lead to the success of Lake Sturgeon conservation measures implemented by the KSNC and other organizations.

KSNC VISION

Members of the KSNC raised several themes when discussing their vision for Lake Sturgeon Stewardship including knowledge, stakeholders, action, community, family, resources, opportunities, spirituality, responsibility, survival, and health. There was also a desire to ensure that Lake Sturgeon could complete their life cycle within the Nelson River. The committee will take a community-oriented, proactive, approach in implementing stewardship activities. The overall vision can be summed up by the following slogan and tagline:

“Working together to conserve sturgeon for future generations”

“Mamawi Ahtoshehmitowin - Namao Kakekeh” or “Working together, sturgeon forever”

KSNC Stewardship Plan iii June 2016 PRIORITIES

As part of their consultation process, the KSNC established the following priorities for achieving their vision:

 Gathering Information – Community/Traditional Knowledge;

 Sharing Our Message – Educating our communities;

 Bringing Communities Together – Building cohesiveness;

 Engaging Youth – Educating and involving the sturgeon stewards of the future;

 Conserving and Enhancing the Lake Sturgeon Population; and

 Increasing KSNC Functionality.

These priorities were used to establish short and long term goals for the KSNC Stewardship Plan.

GOALS

Short-term goals to be achieved with three years include: To gather information and develop a message To spread our message To increase functionality of KSNC

Medium-term goals to be achieved within the next five years include: To bring communities together To engage youth

The long-term goal of the KSNC is:

To achieve community commitment to sturgeon conservation.

STRATEGIES

The initial emphasis of the KSNC Stewardship Plan will be on sharing information and education. As information is generated and disseminated the KSNC will advocate for measures that directly help to conserve and enhance stocks.

It has been suggested by members of the KSNC that a “coproduction” approach be considered for implementation of the Stewardship Plan. Such an approach brings together local and traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge and transforms community members from being mere participants

June 2016 iv KSNC Stewardship Plan to leading the generation of information for implementation and evaluation. This is an approach that the committee will explore as it selects, develops and implements its stewardship strategies. It is also an approach that the KSNC can advocate for in research and monitoring activities conducted by other groups and organizations.

The KSNC will focus on the following strategies, in order of priority, during the course of this Stewardship Plan. It is expected that these strategies will be used as a guide to select programs for implementation in annual work plans. Several of the strategies, focusing on traditional knowledge, information sharing and youth, are overlapping.

1. GATHER INFORMATION AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP A CONSERVATION MESSAGE

The KSNC will:

 Gather Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge on Lake Sturgeon from elders, resource users, youth and community members;  Compile existing research, studies and reports to establish a comprehensive repository of information on Lake Sturgeon;  Strive to remain informed on the most up-to-date monitoring and research results from the Nelson River;  Develop a message with regard to conservation of lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon; and  Advocate for research and monitoring to be undertaken by other groups to expand our understanding of Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River.

2. SHARE OUR MESSAGE

The KSNC will:

 Use a variety of media such as a website, brochures, pamphlets, posters, promotional items, and a calendar, and will organize events such as open houses, public forums, and band meetings to spread the Committee message of sturgeon conservation.

3. BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

The KSNC will:

 Organize events such as local workshops, summer gatherings, community feasts forums or community field trips that will bring communities together in relation to Lake Sturgeon conservation initiatives.

KSNC Stewardship Plan v June 2016 4. ENGAGE YOUTH

The KSNC will:

 Engage youth through special projects, scholarships, apprenticeship programs, field trips, and camps; and  Advocate for training of youth in research and monitoring undertaken by other groups.

The KSNC will encourage and facilitate the transfer of knowledge within families (e.g., from elders to their grandchildren), as well as have elders teach traditional skills to youth in their community.

5. CONSERVE AND ENHANCE POPULATIONS

The KSNC will:

 Advocate for responsible harvesting;  Advocate for stocking, habitat enhancement and protection measures undertaken by other groups; and  Advocate for coproduction of monitoring and research undertaken by other groups.

6. INCREASE KSNC FUNCTIONALITY

The KSNC will:

 Work toward completing a policy and procedures document and will develop and follow annual plans; and  Work toward increasing consistent participation by each participating community.

It is important for the committee to function efficiently so that all resources are put to good use and have a noticeable positive impact. Having standard plans and procedures in place will help the committee to stay on track and make good use of their meeting time. Having stable participation from each community will greatly increase the ability of the Committee to successfully complete projects.

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WORKPLANNING

The KSNC will meet every two months unless otherwise warranted or changes are deemed appropriate. Committee meetings will alternate between Winnipeg and either Thompson, Gillam or one of the First Nations communities party to the Agreement. Meetings will focus on presentation of program results and discussion of proposed projects. Other meeting activities may include presentations by outside specialists or groups.

Core funding for projects will be provided by Manitoba Hydro on an annual basis. The Committee will develop a work plan and budget consistent with its mandate for submission to Manitoba Hydro prior to March 31 each year. Work plan activities will be selected by consensus and will be based on the goals and priority strategies outlined in the Stewardship Plan. Committee members will review, discuss and modify ideas, as appropriate, until all Committee members are comfortable with the proposed approach. Costs for research, monitoring and enhancement activities conducted by the Committee that are in excess of the core funding will be sourced by the Committee.

Working groups may be established by the Committee as necessary, to focus on specific issues of study or to implement specific projects on behalf of the Committee. The working groups will report to the Committee on a quarterly basis.

The work planning process will be revised on an ongoing basis as procedures are established.

KSNC Stewardship Plan vii June 2016 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sincere gratitude is extended to all of the participants of the member First Nations who through their contributions have created the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee and their vision of “Working together to conserve sturgeon for future generations”. Acknowledgments to all members of the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee:

Fox Lake Cree Nation

Shamattawa First Nation

Tataskweyak Cree Nations

War Lake First Nation

York Factory First Nation

Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership

Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba Sustainable Development

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

KSNC VISION ...... iii PRIORITIES ...... iv STRATEGIES ...... iv 1. GATHER INFORMATION AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP A CONSERVATION MESSAGE ...... v 2. SHARE OUR MESSAGE ...... v 3. BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER ...... v 4. ENGAGE YOUTH ...... vi 5. CONSERVE AND ENHANCE POPULATIONS ...... vi 6. INCREASE KSNC FUNCTIONALITY ...... vi WORKPLANNING ...... vii

1.0 INTRODUCTION ------1 1.1 Kischi Sipi Namao Committee (KSNC) ...... 4 1.2 KSNC Area of Concern ...... 5

2.0 THE STEWARDSHIP PLAN ------7 2.1 Plan Development ...... 8

3.0 LAKE STURGEON ------9 3.1 Overview and Status ...... 9 3.1.1 Sturgeons World-Wide ...... 9 3.1.2 North America ...... 9 3.1.3 Canada ...... 11 3.2 Life History Needs and Habitat Use ...... 12 3.2.1 Reproduction ...... 13 3.2.2 Rearing ...... 16 3.2.3 Juveniles and Sub-Adults ...... 18 3.2.4 Overwintering ...... 19 3.2.5 Foraging ...... 19 3.2.6 Movements ...... 20

KSNC Stewardship Plan ix June 2016 4.0 LOWER NELSON RIVER (DOWNSTREAM OF KELSEY GS) ------23 4.1 Historical Overview ...... 23 4.1.1 Lake Sturgeon Distribution ...... 23 4.1.2 Harvest ...... 24 4.1.3 Habitat Changes ...... 29 4.2 Current Knowledge ...... 33 4.2.1 First Nation Perspectives ...... 33 4.2.2 Harvest ...... 35 4.2.3 Distribution and Abundance ...... 35 4.2.4 Kelsey to Kettle ...... 35 4.2.5 Kettle to Long Spruce ...... 39 4.2.6 Long Spruce GS – Limestone GS ...... 42 4.2.7 Limestone to Hudson Bay ...... 43 4.2.8 Hayes River ...... 46 4.2.9 Knowledge Gaps ...... 48

5.0 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES USED ELSEWHERE ------51 5.1 Monitoring ...... 52 5.1.1 Population ...... 52 5.1.2 Harvest ...... 52 5.2 Stocking ...... 54 5.3 Habitat ...... 56 5.3.1 Restoration/Enhancement...... 56 5.3.2 Flow Management ...... 57 5.3.3 Defragmentation ...... 58 5.3.3.1 Barrier Removal ...... 58 5.3.3.2 Fish Passage ...... 58 5.4 Research ...... 59 5.4.1 Inventory ...... 59 5.4.2 Life History ...... 59 5.4.3 Modeling ...... 60 5.4.4 Traditional Knowledge ...... 60 5.5 Protection ...... 61 5.5.1 Recommendations ...... 61 5.5.2 Regulations ...... 62 5.6 Education ...... 62 5.6.1 Presentations to Youth/Resource Users/Community Members ...... 62

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5.6.2 Brochures and Reports ...... 62 5.6.3 Website and Social Media...... 63 5.6.4 Videos ...... 63 5.6.5 Sturgeon in the Schools ...... 63 5.7 Public Engagement ...... 63

6.0 KSNC VISION AND GOALS ------65 6.1 KSNC Vision ...... 65 6.2 KSNC Priorities and Goals ...... 65 6.2.1 Short-Term Goals (1-3 years) ...... 66 6.2.2 Medium-Term Goals ...... 66 6.2.3 Long Term Goal (5 + years) ...... 66

7.0 KSNC PRIORITIES AND STEWARDSHIP STRATEGIES ------67 7.1 Gather Information and Traditional Knowledge and Develop a Conservation Message ...... 67 7.2 Share our message ...... 69 7.3 Bring Communities Together ...... 70 7.4 Engage Youth ...... 71 7.5 Conserve and Enhance Population ...... 72 7.6 Increase KSNC Functionality ...... 73

8.0 WORK PLANNING PROCESS ------74

9.0 LITERATURE CITED ------75

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Population status and trajectories for Lake Sturgeon in Management Units (MU) within the KSNC area of interest as determined by DFO during their recovery potential assessment conducted in 2010 (Cleator et al. 2010a)...... 12

Table 2. Estimates of adult (<800 mm fork length) abundance for Lake Sturgeon populations in the lower Nelson River and Fox River (North/South Consultants Inc., unpublished data).40

Table 3. Summary of key knowledge gaps and ranking of relative importance...... 50

Table 4. Summary of stewardship strategies that have been used elsewhere...... 53

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LIST OF MAPS

Page

Map 1. Reach of interest for the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee...... 6

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Commercial Lake Sturgeon harvest from the Nelson River 1902-1992 (from Stewart 2009)...... 28

Figure 2. Commercial Lake Sturgeon harvest from the Hayes River system, including the Fox and Bigstone rivers, 1939-1992 (from Stewart 2009)...... 28

LIST OF PHOTOS

Photo 1. Lake Sturgeon...... 1

Photo 2 Illustration of First Nations harvesting Lake Sturgeon at a spawning site (original image by John Dyess)...... 2

Photo 3. Construction of the Limestone Generating Station, 1989...... 3

Photo 4. Typical Lake Sturgeon spawning habitat below an impassable falls (Witchai Lake Falls, Grass River)...... 14

Photo 5. A Lake Sturgeon spawning location below the Pointe du Bois GS on the Winnipeg River in eastern Manitoba...... 14

Photo 6. Lake Sturgeon spawning on the shores of the Lower Limestone Rapids, Nelson River, MB...... 15

Photo 7. Fertilized Lake Sturgeon egg undergoing cell division...... 17

Photo 8. Larval Lake Sturgeon following absorption of yolk sac...... 17

Photo 10. Kelsey Generating Station...... 29

Photo 11. Kettle Generating Station...... 31

Photo 12. Long Spruce Generating Station...... 32

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Photo 13. Limestone Generating Station...... 33

Photo 14. The first falls on the Odei River...... 36

Photo 15. Mouth of the Weir River...... 36

Photo 16. First Rapids on the Burntwood River...... 41

Photo 17. Upstream end of Long Spruce Reservoir viewed in a downstream direction...... 41

Photo 18. Limestone Reservoir...... 42

Photo 19. The Nelson River looking upstream from near the mouth of the Angling River...... 44

Photo 20. Port Nelson at the mouth of the Nelson River...... 44

Photo 21. Looking downstream at the lower Limestone or Flathead Rapids...... 45

Photo 22. Red Sucker Rapids on the Gods River...... 47

Photo 23. Rainbow Falls on the Fox River...... 47

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1: Committee Terms of Reference ...... 87

Appendix 2: Example Activities of Lake Sturgeon Stewardship Groups...... 97

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Namao or Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) (Photo 1) have always been important to northern Manitoba First Nations living in the Hudson Bay lowlands and along the Nelson River. Ancient gathering sites dating back over 2000 years have been located at Lake Sturgeon spawning sites where the fish were harvested on an annual basis and formed an important part of the seasonal diet (Lytwyn 2002; Photo 2). Sturgeon also yielded several useful by-products such as the skin, oil, and isinglass, a substance from the air bladder that was used as a glue and as a fixative in paints. Sturgeon were considered a gift from the creator and, like other animals, were culturally and spiritually important.

Photo 1. Lake Sturgeon.

Following contact with Europeans in the late 1600s, Lake Sturgeon also became important to First Nations from a commercial perspective. Lytwyn (2002) reported that the Lowland Cree traded substantial quantities of fish to European traders. A trade for 25 sturgeon at York Factory in 1781 was noted as a “noble supply of fresh provisions as both English and Indians are tired of salt food” (Lytwyn 2002).

By the late 1800s commercial Lake Sturgeon fisheries developed in the south. The fisheries were characterized by initial high yields, followed by sharp and lasting drops in production. Initial production in Manitoba focused on Lake Winnipeg, but as the southern fisheries failed, commercial Lake Sturgeon fisheries spread northward. Commercial fishing for Lake Sturgeon on the upper Nelson River commenced around 1900 and, while the fisheries were generally operated by fish companies from the

KSNC Stewardship Plan 1 June 2016 south, local First Nations played a large role in harvesting the fish. Significant harvests are thought to have occurred below Kelsey and from the Grass River and Gull Rapids. The fishery was eventually

Photo 2 Illustration of First Nations harvesting Lake Sturgeon at a spawning site (original image by John Dyess). extended downstream to the Weir River in 1958, but little harvest is thought to have occurred downstream of Kettle Rapids due to difficult travel conditions.

Lake Sturgeon habitat on the Nelson River began to change with construction of the Kelsey Generating Station (GS) in the late 1950s. Changes continued to occur through the 1960s and 1970s with the completion of Lake Winnipeg Regulation (LWR), the Churchill River Diversion (CRD) and three more generating stations at Kettle, Long Spruce and Limestone rapids (Photo 3).

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Photo 3. Construction of the Limestone Generating Station, 1989.

By the early 1990s it became clear that Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River were in peril. Following the R. vs. Sparrow court decision which affirmed First Nation harvesting rights, the commercial fishery was closed for good on the Nelson River in 1993 and on the Hayes River system in 1999 (Stewart 2009).

Throughout the commercial fisheries and habitat changes, Lake Sturgeon continued to form an important part of the subsistence food base for communities along the Nelson and Hayes rivers. Although the relationship between Lake Sturgeon and First Nations has gradually been altered, the species continues to be important from a spiritual and cultural perspective.

By 2012, with further development occurring and contemplated on the lower Nelson River, it became clear that Lake Sturgeon required enhanced attention.

“They [sturgeon] are a gift from the Creator”

Sam Miles, Shamattawa First Nation (during 2015 workshop presentation)

“We must protect them [sturgeon] for future generations”

Audrey Ouskan, War Lake First Nation (during 2015 workshop presentation)

KSNC Stewardship Plan 3 June 2016 1.1 Kischi Sipi Namao Committee (KSNC)

In 2012, Manitoba Hydro (MH), Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP), Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN), War Lake First Nation (WLFN), York Factory First Nation (YFFN), Fox Lake Cree Nation (FLCN) and Shamattawa First Nation (SFN) entered into the Lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon Stewardship Agreement (2012) (the “Agreement”). All of the parties to the Agreement recognized that Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River had been adversely affected by a number of factors. The parties recognized that there was an overlap of Lake Sturgeon between the Nelson and Hayes rivers and communities on both rivers had similar concerns. The parties also recognized that Lake Sturgeon had a significant historical and cultural relationship with Aboriginal peoples along the rivers. All stakeholders had a common interest and a desire to protect and enhance Lake Sturgeon populations.

The objectives of the Agreement were to define and carry out projects to monitor and increase knowledge of Lake Sturgeon and ultimately to conserve and enhance populations. To meet the objectives, the parties agreed to form, and participate in, the Lower Nelson River Sturgeon Stewardship Committee. By participating in the Committee, the parties agreed to share information, wherever possible, with regard to sturgeon protection and enhancement. A Terms of Reference was developed that defines the areas of interest, core activities, funding and implementation structure of the Committee (Appendix 1). Although not a signatory to the Agreement, Manitoba Sustainable Development (MSD) has one representative that participates on the Committee as a non-voting member. This participation includes attending Committee meetings, providing information, and participating in Committee discussions.

The Committee is seen as being complimentary to other Lake Sturgeon co-management activities within the Province. It recognizes that the Nelson River Sturgeon Board (NRSB) is focusing conservation efforts on upper Nelson River (Lake Winnipeg to Kelsey GS) Lake Sturgeon populations. This Committee will focus on the area downstream of Kelsey GS and expects to work cooperatively with, and complimentary to, the NRSB. The Committee is not directing efforts to “manage” Lake Sturgeon stocks (as would a management board), but instead, will concentrate on engaging and educating the public, generating information and undertaking projects that may enhance or protect Lake Sturgeon populations. Committee activities are seen as complimentary to the Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Lake Sturgeon Management Strategy (MCWS 2012), Manitoba Hydro’s Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program (Manitoba Hydro 2012) and to the Lake Sturgeon components of Keeyask Hydro Limited Partnership’s 'Aquatic Effects Monitoring Plan' and 'Fisheries Offsetting Management Plan'. Committee participants have the desire to take a proactive approach to Lake Sturgeon Stewardship.

The first meeting was held on May 23, 2013. The Committee was renamed the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee (KSNC) in 2013 to reflect First Nations participation and principles.

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“KSNC is a voice for the sturgeon and the future”

Gilbert Beardy, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (while presenting his group’s vision for KSNC)

1.2 KSNC Area of Concern

The KSNC focuses on the Lake Sturgeon populations inhabiting the lower Nelson system from Kelsey GS to Hudson Bay including tributaries, and the Hayes River system including the Hayes, Gods and Echoing rivers (Map 1).

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Map 1. Reach of interest for the Kischi Sipi Namao Committee.

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2.0 THE STEWARDSHIP PLAN

The first core activity listed within the Terms of Reference for the KSNC is to develop a Sturgeon Stewardship Plan that sets overall research, monitoring and enhancement measures, objectives, and strategies for protection and enhancement in the lower Nelson River for the immediate (1-3 years), medium (3-5 years) and long term (greater than 5 years) future.

The objective of the plan is to provide guidance and to set priorities for the Committee. Activities for consideration listed in the Committee Terms of Reference include:

 Undertaking research and monitoring activities based upon both western science and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge to gain a better understanding of sturgeon populations in the lower Nelson River, including information relative to the different life stages of Lake Sturgeon, habitat requirements, spawning and fish passage through generating stations;  Undertaking protection and enhancement projects in the lower Nelson River area;  Creating a forum for the sharing of expertise, resources and capacity among the parties and, where applicable, other jurisdictions. This will include consultation and/or coordination, where appropriate, with relevant Resource Management Boards and the Nelson River Sturgeon Board;  Working to create a comprehensive repository of available information on Lake Sturgeon in the lower Nelson River and, if relevant, elsewhere in the world;  Carrying out public education activities;  Undertaking consultations regarding decisions about voluntary sturgeon harvest levels for member communities;  Coordinating and providing advice, where appropriate, on research, enhancement and protection activities being undertaken by KSNC signatories and others outside of the Committee structure;  Negotiating funding for research, monitoring and enhancement activities to be undertaken by the Committee;  Establishing working groups, as necessary, to focus on specific issues of study, or to implement specific projects on behalf of the Committee;  Recommending management measures to government;  Where appropriate, informing and communicating with federal and provincial governments, local First Nations and communities, and other potentially interested parties about the status of sturgeon in the lower Nelson River and efforts underway to protect and enhance sturgeon populations in this area; and  Conducting any other activities the Committee determines necessary to achieve its mandate.

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2.1 Plan Development

In fall, 2014, the Committee decided to initiate discussions and a planning process to develop a Stewardship Plan. To achieve that goal it was decided to host a workshop with broad community participation. The workshop was held at the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson, Manitoba on February 24-26, 2015. In attendance were KSNC members and/or advisors from FLCN, SFN, TCN, WLFN, and YFFN, along with invited community members including elders, resource users and youth. Representatives from MH, KHLP, MSD and the NRSB also participated. The KSNC invited Joe Hunter from Rainy River First Nation, and Dr. Cam Barth from North/South Consultants Inc. to participate and share their expertise in sturgeon populations and recovery.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

A Kischi Sipi Namao Committee Lake Sturgeon Workshop Report was prepared to summarize the proceedings (KSNC 2015).

Follow-up meetings were held on December 1, 2015 and February 2, 2016 to further develop a common vision, goals, and conservation strategies.

The following KSN Stewardship Plan is primarily based on the ideas and priorities developed at the workshop and the two follow-up meetings. The Plan has also drawn on existing literature that focuses on both scientific and aboriginal knowledge. The Plan was revised following a review process and is seen as a living document that will be revised as the committee focuses its efforts.

The Plan is divided into four distinct sections:

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3.0 LAKE STURGEON

3.1 Overview and Status 3.1.1 Sturgeons World-Wide

There are twenty-five species of sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) that are found in sub-tropical, temperate and sub-Arctic rivers, lakes and coastlines of Eurasia and North America. Members of the sturgeon family are distinctive for their elongated bodies, lack of scales, and occasional great size. Sturgeon ranging from 2-3 m in length are common, and some species reach lengths of 5.5 m.

Sturgeon appeared in the fossil record approximately 200 million years ago and managed to survive the extinction of the dinosaurs. Since that time, sturgeon have undergone little morphological change indicating that their evolution has been exceptionally slow. Their persistence is explained in part by their long generation interval, tolerance for wide ranges of temperature and salinity, and lack of predators due to size and bony plated armour on the young. They still retain several primitive characteristics, such as a heterocercal tail with an elongated upper tail lobe, lack of distinct scales, and a unique jaw suspension. Sturgeon have four barbels that precede their toothless wide mouths. They navigate their riverine habitats traveling just off the bottom with their barbels dragging along the substrate.

Throughout their extensive range, almost all sturgeon species have become highly threatened or vulnerable to extinction due to a combination of habitat destruction and partitioning, overfishing, and pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 16 species as “critically endangered”, two as “endangered”, two as “near threatened”, three as “vulnerable”, and two of “least concern” (ICUN 2015). Most species are at least partially anadromous,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadromous spawning in fresh water and feeding in nutrient- rich, brackish waters of estuaries or undergoing significant migrations along coastlines. However, some species, such as the Lake Sturgeon, have evolved primarily freshwater existences. 3.1.2 North America

Namao or Lake Sturgeon are found exclusively in North America and, although they have one of the widest geographic distributions of any fish on the continent, are restricted to three major watersheds: the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi (Houston 1987; Map 2). In the United States, Lake Sturgeon are found in the Mississippi Drainage and its large tributaries south to Nebraska, Missouri and Alabama (Harkness and Dymond 1961; Scott and Crossman 1998). They are also found in tributaries to the Great Lakes and in the Red River drainage. Harkness and Dymond (1961) reported Lake Sturgeon occurring,

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Map 2. Lake Sturgeon distribution in North America.

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to at least some degree, in nineteen states. In Canada, Lake Sturgeon occur in five provinces. They can be found in the Great Lakes, upper St. Lawrence River, and most of the large rivers draining into James Bay and the lower half of the western shores of Hudson Bay (Scott and Crossman 1998). They also occur in the North and South Saskatchewan rivers into Alberta and in the Churchill River into Saskatchewan.

Ironically, while Lake Sturgeon are considered of “least concern” to the IUCN in terms of world-wide sturgeon populations, the species is listed as “Special Concern” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as “Threatened” in North America by the American Fisheries Society and as either “Threatened” or “Endangered” by 19 of the 20 states within its original range in the United States (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2015). The Lake Sturgeon population in Michigan was estimated to have been reduced to about one percent of its former abundance (Tody 1974). 3.1.3 Canada

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is a group of independent experts that is responsible for assessing and designating the wildlife species in Canada that are in danger of disappearing. In their last assessment of Lake Sturgeon in 2006, COSEWIC delineated Canadian Lake Sturgeon populations into eight “designable units” (DUs): Western Hudson Bay (DU1); Saskatchewan River (DU2); Nelson River (DU3); Lake Winnipeg, Red and Assiniboine rivers (DU4); Winnipeg River/English River (DU5); Lake of the Woods/Rainy River (DU6); Southern Hudson Bay/James Bay (DU7); and Upper St. Lawrence/Great Lakes (DU8). Lake Sturgeon are classified as “Endangered” in five of the eight DUs and as “Threatened” and “Special Concern” in the other three (COSEWIC 2006). The “Endangered” classification is applied to “A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction”.

Nelson River Lake Sturgeon are included in DU3 and are currently listed as “Endangered” by COSEWIC. Lake Sturgeon inhabiting the Hayes River system have been placed in DU7 (Southern Hudson/James Bay populations) and are listed as “Special Concern” (COSEWIC 2006).

Once a species is assessed, COSEWIC sends its assessment and supporting evidence (i.e., rationale and status reports) for species classified as at risk (e.g., Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern) to the Federal Minister of the Environment and the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. Within nine months after receiving the assessment the Federal Government may: accept the assessment and add the species to Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act (SARA); decide not to add the species to the Schedule 1; or refer the matter back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration. Once a species is listed under SARA it becomes illegal to kill, harass, capture or harm it

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in any way. Critical habitats are also protected from destruction. The Act also requires that recovery strategies, action plans and management plans be developed for all listed species.

Although Lake Sturgeon in DU3 were designated as “Endangered” by COSEWIC in 2006, no decision has been made with regard to listing the species under Schedule 1 of SARA. The species is currently under review and another assessment is expected to be completed in 2016.

Based on the listing by COSEWIC in 2006, and pursuant to Lake Sturgeon being considered for listing under SARA, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducted a recovery potential assessment for Lake Sturgeon in DU3 in 2010 (Cleator et al. 2010a). For assessment purposes DFO divided the DU into six Lake Sturgeon Management Units (MUs), four of which are encompassed by the area of concern for the KSNC: Kelsey GS to Kettle GS (MU3); Long Spruce Reservoir (MU4); Limestone Reservoir (MU5); and Limestone GS to Hudson Bay (MU6) (Table 1). Based on available data and expert opinion, the status of Lake Sturgeon in MUs 4 and 5 was considered “critical” as relatively few Lake Sturgeon were known to be present. The status of MU3 Lake Sturgeon was deemed to be “cautious” with an unknown trajectory. The status of MU6 was considered “healthy” with an unknown trajectory. The recovery potential assessment set a long-term recovery goal of protecting and maintaining healthy, viable populations of Lake Sturgeon in all MUs on the Nelson River.

Management Unit Reach Population Status Trajectory MU3 Kelsey GS to Kettle GS Cautious Unknown MU4 Long Spruce Reservoir Critical Unknown MU5 Limestone Reservoir Critical Unknown Limestone GS to Hudson MU6 Healthy Unknown Bay

3.2 Life History Needs and Habitat Use

Lake Sturgeon possess life history characteristics that are unique among freshwater fish species in Manitoba. These include:

 A long life span which can reach 150 years.  Sexual maturity occurring at a late age, ranging from 8- 22 years in males and 14- 33 years in females (Harkness and Dymond 1961; Scott and Crossman 1998; McDougall 2011a);

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 Adults may not spawn every year. Males typically spawn every 1-4 years and females every 3-7 years (Auer 1999); and  Females are highly fecund with documented egg counts per kg of body weight ranging from 7,208-14,813 (Bruch et al. 2007).

While this combination of life history traits has allowed Lake Sturgeon to persist to the present day, some of the traits such as late age at maturity and extended spawning periodicity can also inhibit rapid recovery after populations have declined. Therefore, a long term approach is required to rehabilitate and maintain self-sustaining populations. The following sections provide a summary of how Lake Sturgeon fulfill their life history requirements elsewhere in North America. More details on life history traits specific to the lower Nelson River can be found by reach in Section 4.2.3 3.2.1 Reproduction

Adult Lake Sturgeon move to spawning sites after ice breakup when water temperatures are between 8°C and 10°C. Lake Sturgeon move from overwintering habitats to the base of mainstem rapids or falls or up major tributaries to similar habitats. In some systems, the distance between overwintering habitat and spawning habitat is extensive, while in other systems extensive movements are not required. For example, Lake Sturgeon from the Lake Winnebago system in Wisconsin have been documented moving upwards of 100 kilometres (km) to reach spawning sites (Bruch and Binkowski 2002), whereas the population that exists between the Pointe Du Bois GS and the Slave Falls GS in the Winnipeg River can complete its lifecycle in 10 km of riverine habitat.

Field descriptions of Lake Sturgeon spawning locations often describe areas at the foot of rapids or falls, substantial enough to prevent further upstream migration (Richardson 1836; Stone 1900; Stone 1901) (Photo 4). However, Lake Sturgeon have been known to spawn in areas lacking white water in the Detroit River, Michigan (Manny and Kennedy 2002), in the tailrace of Pointe du Bois GS on the Winnipeg River (Photo 5) (McDougall et al. 2008a, 2008b), and along shorelines of the Fox and Wolf rivers, Wisconsin (Bruch and Binkowski 2002). Some locations where increased water depth has resulted in the loss of white water but maintained appropriate velocity and substrate conditions have continued to support spawning. For example, Lake Sturgeon appear to have continued to spawn in the Nelson River above the Kelsey GS following impoundment (D. Macdonald, MSD, pers. comm.). Lake Sturgeon spawn at depths of 0.6-22.0 m in areas of swift water or rapids over gravel, cobble, and boulder-sized substrates that provide sufficient interstitial spaces for oxygenation during egg incubation (Harkness and Dymond 1961; Bruch and Binkowski 2002; Manny and Kennedy 2002; McDougall et al. 2008b). Flow characteristics in the vicinity of spawning sites have both calm water for staging and swift water for spawning. Actual substrates can vary from igneous bedrock (Aadland et al. 2005) and flat limestone (Ambrose et al. 2007) to glacial till-derived gravel, cobble, and boulder, and even areas of

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Photo 4. Typical Lake Sturgeon spawning habitat below an impassable falls (Witchai Lake Falls, Grass River).

Photo 5. A Lake Sturgeon spawning location below the Pointe du Bois GS on the Winnipeg River in eastern Manitoba.

June 2016 14 KSNC Stewardship Plan coal cinders (Manny and Kennedy 2002). Spawning site selection appears to be more related to hydraulic conditions rather than depth or substrate (North/South Consultants Inc. 2012).

During the spawning act, a single female Lake Sturgeon is surrounded by several males. As the female rises off the river bottom/swims upwards, the males vibrate by beating their tails and undulating their bodies to entice the female to release her eggs (Photo 6). Upon the release of eggs, they are fertilized by several males. The adhesive eggs are scattered and adhere to rocks and logs until they hatch.

Lake Sturgeon eggs and larvae are susceptible to predation (Bruch and Binkowski 2002; Barth 2011). Silver Redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) and Logperch (Percina caprodes) have been either observed feeding on Lake Sturgeon eggs at spawning sites or eggs have been found in their stomach contents (Johnson et al. 2006). Other predators of Lake Sturgeon eggs include crayfish (Orconectes spp.), mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus), carp (Cyprinus carpio), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and adult Lake Sturgeon (Kempinger 1988; Barth 2011).

Photo 6. Lake Sturgeon spawning on the shores of the Lower Limestone Rapids, Nelson River, MB.

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3.2.2 Rearing

Lake Sturgeon eggs typically hatch between 5 and 14 days post-spawn, depending on water temperature (Kempinger 1988; LaHaye et al. 1992; Auer and Baker 2002) (Photo 7). Newly hatched larvae avoid light and actively search for cover within the interstitial spaces of the substrates within their immediate location (Harkness and Dymond 1961; Kempinger 1988). However, if interstitial spaces are unavailable, larvae may begin to drift downstream immediately following hatch (Mandzy et al. 2015). Larvae are nourished by a ventral yolk sac for 9-18 days (Scott and Crossman 1998). Approximately 14 days post- hatch, the young have developed physical features of the adult (Photo 8), and by day 16 they have typically begun to actively feed (Scott and Crossman 1998). At this time, the larvae will begin searching for food and those that have remained in substrates on the spawning sites will leave the substrate at night and drift downstream to nursery areas. The larval drift phase of Lake Sturgeon life history is a passive phase, and is thought to be a major determinant of both reproductive success and habitat utilization by young-of-the-year (YOY) and juveniles (D’Amours et al. 2001; Barth and Anderson, in press). The distance that larvae drift downstream is likely dependent upon a combination of current velocity, channel morphology and substrate selection by drifting larvae (Benson et al. 2006; Gessner et al. 2009; Barth and Anderson, in press). Benson et al. (2006) suggested that areas of decreased water velocity are necessary to provide larvae an opportunity to settle out of the main current and into suitable nursery habitats. Depending on the river system, Lake Sturgeon larvae may drift as far as 60 km downstream from the spawning grounds (Auer and Baker 2002), while in other systems, larvae may drift only a short distance from spawning grounds (Smith and King 2005a; Benson et al. 2006).

Information on the ecology and habitat requirements of YOY Lake Sturgeon is limited. Available YOY habitat is highly variable throughout the species range. In tributaries of the Great Lakes, several authors reported that YOY utilize shallow water depths with sand or gravel substrates. For example, in the Kaministiquia River, Ontario, YOY (51-135 mm) were captured along the river margins at depths of 0.20-0.55 m over primarily sand substrates (Friday 2006a). In the Lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, YOY (40-316 mm TL) selected for areas with sand substrate, low current velocities (median 0.29-0.33 m/s), and depths less than 2 m (Benson et al. 2005). In the Wolf River, Wisconsin, YOY Lake Sturgeon (29-281 mm; 27-186 d post-hatch) were captured in areas with a detectable current, flat substrate composed of pea-sized gravel and coarse sand, and an absence of rooted vegetation (Kempinger 1996). In larger, deeper rivers such as the Winnipeg River, YOY Lake Sturgeon were captured over a sand or sand/gravel substrate in water depths between 16 and 40 m and water velocities between 0.15 and 0.23 m/s (Henderson et al. 2014a; Lacho 2015). In the Winnipeg River between the Slave Falls GS and the Seven Sisters Falls GS, YOY Lake Sturgeon were primarily captured over gravel, sand, or a sand/clay mixture, in water depths between 6.1 and 24.4 m (Barth 2011; Henderson 2011).

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Photo 7. Fertilized Lake Sturgeon egg undergoing cell division.

Photo 8. Larval Lake Sturgeon following absorption of yolk sac.

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In the lower Nelson River, YOY Lake Sturgeon have typically been captured in deep water, with low to moderate velocity, on either soft or hard substrates (MacDonald 2009; Ambrose et al. 2010a).

Information on predation mortality of YOY sturgeon is limited as the issue is difficult to study (Barth 2011). Burbot (Lota lota) were observed to have consumed YOY in the Winnipeg River (K. Kansas, MSD, pers comm).

Lake Sturgeon are most vulnerable to natural mortality during their first year. For successful reproduction, there needs to be suitable environmental conditions for spawning, egg fertilization, egg incubation, and larval drift. The larvae must also be able to find suitable foraging habitat to transition from the yolk sac to feeding on their own and be able to avoid predation while competing for food. Once the young have survived their first winter, mortality rates are thought to be low. It is expected that a high proportion of the sturgeon that survive the first winter will eventually be recruited into the adult population. 3.2.3 Juveniles and Sub-Adults

Juvenile and sub-adult habitat preferences differ between systems and watersheds based on available habitat and prey abundance. Most studies have documented juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon at depths greater than 5 m (Hughes 2002; Environnment Illimité 2003; Holtgren and Auer 2004; Smith and King 2005b; Werner and Hayes 2005; Lord 2007; Michaluk and MacDonald 2010; McDougall 2011a; McDougall 2011b) and in areas with a detectable current (0.2-0.7 m/s; Hughes 2002; Environnment Illimité 2003; Barth et al. 2009; Barth et al. 2013). Studies have also indicated preferences for particular substrates, including silt, clay, organic, sand, and gravel (Chiasson et al. 1997; Hughes 2002; Werner and Hayes 2005; Lord 2007; Barth et al. 2009). In the Nelson River, Manitoba, juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon were captured strictly in deep (≥ 5 m) water habitats (Michaluk and MacDonald 2010; Henderson et al. 2011; Henderson and Pisiak 2012; Henderson et al. 2015) in that same habitat where YOY sturgeon are captured. Similarly, in the Burntwood River, Manitoba, juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon were captured in deep-water habitats (8-17 m), in water velocities ranging approximately from 0.2-0.5 m/s, and over clay, gravel and sand substrates (Henderson and Pisiak 2012; Henderson et al. 2011). In the Winnipeg River from the Slave Falls GS downstream to the Pine Falls GS, juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon were caught in habitats characterized by water depths >13.4 m and a variety of substrates including clay/silt, sand, gravel, and cobble/bedrock (McDougall 2011a; McDougall 2011b). These same habitats were also used by YOY. YFFN (2015) and Mota and MacDonell (2008) reported catching sub-adult sturgeon in relatively shallow habitat at the mouth of the Hayes River.

Biotic factors (e.g., competition, predator-prey interactions) also are likely determinants of rearing habitat type. In some cases, juvenile and sub-adults were found to occupy/forage in habitats different from those of adults and other fish species, likely to avoid either competition or predation (Smith and

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King 2005b; C. Barth, NSC, pers. comm.). In the St. Lawrence River, the abundance and distribution of juvenile Lake Sturgeon differs from that of adults, with juveniles occupying substrates (primarily silt) that support the highest densities of soft-bodied invertebrates (chironomids [midges], amphipods [shrimp], and trichopterans [caddis flies]) (Werner and Hayes 2005).

Predation on juveniles is believed to be rare, as their protective scutes are thought to offer protection. Evidence of predation on juvenile Lake Sturgeon has not been reported in the literature. 3.2.4 Overwintering

During winter, juvenile, sub-adult and adult Lake Sturgeon generally occupy deep water habitat if it is available (Harkness and Dymond 1961; Scott and Crossman 1998). Deep run and pool habitats are particularly important overwintering areas for Lake Sturgeon confined to riverine environments (Hay- Chmielewski and Whelan 1997). In Black Lake, Michigan, Lake Sturgeon used significantly shallower areas during winter (7.1 ± 0.8 m) relative to summer (10.3 ± 2.1 m; Hay-Chmielewski 1987). In the Nelson River between Clark Lake and Gull Rapids, most of the adult Lake Sturgeon tagged with acoustic transmitters congregated in deep (> 8 m), low-moderate water velocity habitats in Gull Lake, while a smaller proportion of the tagged population overwintered in the predominantly riverine reach between Clark Lake and Gull Lake (Hrenchuk and Barth 2015). In Stephens Lake, juvenile sturgeon were found to utilize predominantly deep water habitat (> 10 m) over silt substrate. In lower Nelson River, Lake Sturgeon are known to over winter in Angling Lake, near Jackfish Island in the Nelson River estuary (MacDonell 1992).

Gilbert Beardy in YFFN (2013) noted that “In the winters they (sturgeon) go all over the place feeding in the shallows.” 3.2.5 Foraging

As Lake Sturgeon grow, their dietary (food) preferences change. In the Lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, age-0 Lake Sturgeon selected for areas with macroinvertebrate (larger bugs) assemblages dominated by dipterans (two-winged insects) (Benson et al. 2005). Baetidae nymphs (aquatic form of a mayfly) and Diptera larvae (aquatic form of two winged insect) composed the majority of the diet of YOY captured in the Wolf River, Wisconsin. In the Winnipeg River between the Slave Falls GS and the Seven Sisters GS, YOY diet consisted of dipterans, trichopterans (caddis flies), ephemeropterans (may flies) and nematodes (round worms), however, positive selection was observed for dipterans (Henderson 2011). Stomach contents of YOY Lake Sturgeon captured from the lower Nelson Rive by Jackfish Island were comprised primary of amphipods (Ambrose et al. 2010a).

Juvenile Lake Sturgeon are capable of consuming larger food items (prey) from a more diverse variety of orders such as crustaceans (crayfish, shrimp) and mollusks (clams, snails) (Beamish et al. 1998;

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Chiasson et al. 1997; Kempinger 1996). However, depending on prey availability, juveniles will feed almost exclusively on smaller prey like ephemeropterans, dipterans, and trichopterans (Chiasson et al. 1997). Juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon in the Winnipeg River primarily consumed prey from three invertebrate Orders (trichopterans dipterans, and ephemeropterans), over a variety of substrate types ranging from clay to boulder, during May, June, and July (Barth et al. 2013). Stomach contents of juvenile sturgeon captured near Jackfish Island on the lower Nelson River were comprised primarily of amphipods, trichopterans and chironomids (Ambrose et al. 2010a).

As juveniles transition into larger sub-adults and adults, their diet may shift to include a greater percentage of larger prey items like crayfish and mussels (Choudhury et al. 1996; Stelzer et al. 2008; Werner and Hayes 2005). In Oneida Lake, New York, molluscs (i.e., zebra mussels) were the most common food item in Lake Sturgeon > 700 mm TL (Jackson et al. 2002). Adult Lake Sturgeon are considered habitat generalists and are believed to be more plastic in their habitat selection relative to juveniles or sub-adults (Hay-Chmielewski 1987; Rusak and Mosindy 1997; Block 2001; Barth 2011). Due to their larger size, they are physically capable of exploiting a wider forage base and can therefore utilize a broader range of habitat types and prey.

Beamish et al. (1998) found that juvenile Lake Sturgeon consumed similar prey as suckers, Lake Whitefish and, to a lesser extent, Burbot. These authors found that low invertebrate densities (95 individuals/m2) in the Moose River, Ontario, and the presence of the same invertebrate groups in juvenile Lake Sturgeon and other dominant fish species suggests that competition for food may influence growth in this system. Sucker species are often found in association with Lake Sturgeon and may be considered the most common competitor for food (Harkness and Dymond 1961). 3.2.6 Movements

Gilbert Beardy in (YFFN 2013) noted that, “Sturgeon prefer the fast deep water…sturgeon stay around the deep waters during the summer… when it’s warm they won’t go many places.”

Results of several mark-recapture and biotelemetry studies across the species range have indicated that Lake Sturgeon exhibit relatively restricted movements, remaining mostly within the vicinity of their tagging location (Threader and Brousseau 1986; Dumont et al. 1987; Sandilands 1987; Fortin et al. 1993; Haxton 2003; Haxton and Findlay 2008). Other studies have reported the use of “core areas” or “activity centers”; locations heavily used and frequently returned to by Lake Sturgeon (Borkholder et al. 2002; Knights et al. 2002; Haxton 2003). In some cases, use of a core area is accompanied by much wider ranging movements by a small percentage of fish (Knights et al. 2002). In general, Lake Sturgeon appear to move more frequently and over longer distances during the open-water season, while during winter, fish are more sedentary (Hay-Chmielewski 1987; Mosindy and Rusak 1991; Rusak and Mosindy 1997; Knights et al. 2002; Labadie 2011).

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Studies of YOY Lake Sturgeon have documented a pattern of downstream movement during fall (Thuemler 1988; Kempinger 1996; Holtgren and Auer 2004; Benson et al. 2005), potentially to locate more suitable (lower) water velocities for overwintering (Benson et al. 2005).

Studies of juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon indicate that they exhibit a limited range of movement (Barth et al. 2011). Below Slave Falls GS on the Winnipeg River, Manitoba, a mark-recapture study of 5,671 juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon (213-879 mm FL) was conducted concurrently with acoustic telemetry tracking of 23 juvenile Lake Sturgeon (364-505 mm FL) from May 2006 to October 2008 (Barth et al. 2011). Approximately 91% of marked juvenile and sub-adult fish that were recaptured were caught less than 2.0 river kilometres (rkm) from their original capture location, and 60% of acoustically tagged juvenile Lake Sturgeon moved 1.8 rkm or less from their release location. In the winter, acoustically tagged juveniles exhibited an even more limited range of movement (Barth et al. 2011). In the spring, several acoustically tagged juvenile Lake Sturgeon moved upstream to the Slave Falls GS prior to, or during, the period of Lake Sturgeon spawning in the area. It is possible that juveniles may have undertaken these movements in order to forage on eggs deposited by spawning adults or to accompany adults to the spawning ground, as both behaviours have been observed in the Winnipeg River (Barth et al. 2011) or other locations (Peterson et al. 2007). With the exception of the few fish that moved upstream in the spring, juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon moved over limited home ranges (primarily less than 2 rkm) despite availability of more than 41 km of potential habitat between Slave Falls GS and Seven Sisters GS. However, results indicated that movements were likely limited by river narrows and rapids where water velocities were high. Due to restricted seasonal movements and small home ranges of the tagged fish in the study, an assessment of seasonal movement patterns suggested that juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon are relatively sedentary (Barth et al. 2011).

Studies in the Great Lakes watershed have also shown juvenile Lake Sturgeon to have a high degree of site fidelity and relatively small home ranges. In the Sturgeon River/Portage Lake system, Michigan, four juvenile Lake Sturgeon (220-830 mm FL) tracked with radio telemetry moved an average of 15.5 km (total linear movement) over an 83-day period and had a mean home range area of 11.0 km2 (Holtgren and Auer 2004). In Black Lake, Michigan, five sub-adult and adult Lake Sturgeon (785-1135 mm TL) implanted with acoustic transmitters exhibited home range areas between 4.79 and 7.27 km2 during July to October (Smith and King 2005b). Similarly, in the St. Clair River, Michigan, nine juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon (582-793 mm TL) tracked via acoustic telemetry exhibited home range areas between 0.8 and 10.8 km2 over a two-year period (Lord 2007).

A radio-telemetry study of four Lake Sturgeon in a 70 km un-impounded reach of the Ottawa River reported a mean home range of 1,528 ha and a maximum movement distance of 10 km over a 2.5 y period (Haxton 2003). Tagged fish showed high fidelity to a particular basin, with fish sometimes moving to the periphery or outside the basin but later returning (Haxton 2003).

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Lake Sturgeon in a 52 km reach of the Moose River, Ontario, also appeared to have a relatively small home range. Of 2,346 fish tagged over two years, 169 fish were recaptured. Over 80% of recaptures occurred in the location where the fish had been tagged the year before, and remaining fish had moved <5 km from their tagging site (Threader and Brousseau 1986).

In the 41 km impoundment of the Winnipeg River between the Slave Falls GS and the Seven Sisters GS, 30 adult Lake Sturgeon were acoustically tagged and monitored over a two-year period (Labadie 2011). Summer home ranges (6.0 ± 3.7 km) were significantly larger (P = 0.001) than winter home ranges (3.3 ± 1.0 km). Although barriers to prevent movement within the lower half of the 41 km impoundment were absent, and suitable foraging habitat was identified in the lower reaches, adult Lake Sturgeon remained within their home ranges in the upper 20 km of the study area. Adults left only to move to spawning grounds in spring (Labadie 2011).

In the Kettle River, Minnesota, five radio-tagged adult Lake Sturgeon tracked for 1.5 years were found to remain within a 32 km reach, despite the absence of barriers at either end of the reach (Borkholder et al. 2002). There was a high correlation between movement and river discharge, with upstream movements corresponding to increasing discharge and downstream movements corresponding to decreasing discharge. Each fish used one to three “activity centers”, or areas in which they were located at least 80% of the time (Borkholder et al. 2002).

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4.0 LOWER NELSON RIVER (DOWNSTREAM OF KELSEY GS)

4.1 Historical Overview 4.1.1 Lake Sturgeon Distribution

Edward Umfreville (in Lytwyn 2002), who was stationed at Severn House and York Factory from 1771 to 1782, observed that “in the spring of the year, the river (possibly the Severn or Hayes) was known to abound with exquisite sturgeon”. According to Lytwyn (2002), Lake Sturgeon were not commonly found near the Hudson Bay coast, but were abundant in the upper portions of the waterways in the lowlands. Lytwyn (2002) also quoted Andrew Graham, who said sturgeon “…are found in plenty in the lakes one hundred miles up from the coast and sometimes, though rarely, a strayed one is found in the creek near the fort.” Comeau (1915), who conducted a fisheries survey near Port Nelson in 1914, similarly stated that Lake Sturgeon “…is reported to be abundant in the upper waters of both the Nelson and Hayes rivers. An odd one is sometimes taken in the whitefish nets set by the Indians in the estuaries, but the proper fishing grounds are said to be at and above the Limestone rapids.” In contrast, Fox Lake Cree Nation members recalled abundant stocks of Lake Sturgeon from Kettle Rapids to the estuary prior to hydroelectric development (FLCN 2008).

The Bayline communities of Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage and Wabowden reported abundant Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River and tributaries below Kelsey Rapids during the early part of the 1900s (MacDonell 1997). Sturgeon were captured or sighted at Kelsey Rapids, the lower Grass River to Wichai Lake Falls, below First Rapids on the Burntwood River, at the confluence of the Burntwood and Odei rivers, and in the Odei River upstream to the first falls. Notable fishing locations for Fox Lake Cree members included Kettle Rapids, a former creek called “Oskotowi Sipi” (Moosenose Lake area), a former rapids at “Indian Grave Channel” (located near the now flooded Moskowot Rivers) (FLCN 2010), and at the mouths of large tributaries along the Nelson River including the Butnau, Kettle, Limestone, Angling, Weir and Roblin rivers (FLCN 2008). FLCN elders recall that while sturgeon spawned at the rapids at the mouth of the Kettle River, they did not move as far upstream as the present- day pump house (FLCN 2013) FLCN elders reported that at least 100 sturgeon congregated below the Kettle Rapids during spring prior to hydroelectric development (FLCN 2013). Sturgeon were also reported to be plentiful in the Nelson River between Moondance and Goose creeks (FLCN 2008). YFFN (2013) reported catching sturgeon at Ripple Falls, Mistuska River, Gull Lake, the “turn-off” in Split Lake, at Jackfish Island and the Weir River.

In the Hayes River, Lake Sturgeon were found upstream to Sturgeon Falls on the Gods River and to Sturgeon Lake on the Echoing River and were abundant between Big Bear and Sturgeon Falls (Eaton 2012). Lake Sturgeon also occurred in the Red Sucker River, in the Stupart River and Stupart Lake

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(IRMA 2012), in the Fox River and Fox Lake (Atkinson Lake) (FLCN 2008), and in the Bigstone River and at the mouth of the Dafoe River (FLCN 2013). 4.1.2 Harvest

Fish, including sturgeon, were the main source of sustenance to First Nation communities along the Nelson River and in the Hudson Bay lowlands in the past (Mary Neepin 2007, in FLCN 2008; Richard Beardy, in Lytwyn 2002). Due to their size, Lake Sturgeon represented an excellent source of food and raw materials for household use and were often shared with elders and those in need (FLCN 2008). Sturgeon eggs were used as a softening agent in the hide tanning process and the oil obtained from the intestines was used as an additive to pemmican, a liniment for joints and a cure for sore throats (Samson Dick 2007, in FLCN 2008). They were highly prized as food and, unlike other fish, were not fed to sled dogs (FLCN 2008). The eggs were considered a delicacy and were mixed with flour, lard, salt and baking powder to make Wa-koy-kunow (Lytwyn 2002). The eggs were dried and, in times of need, were soaked in water until becoming soft and then used to make Wa-koy-kunow. Sturgeon flesh was cut into flakes and dried in the sun or over an open fire (Lytwyn 2002). The dried sturgeon could then be pounded between stones until it became a dry powdery mixture called ruhiggan. This was a nutritious portable food supply that could be kept in sturgeon skin containers for long periods without spoiling. Sturgeon pemmican was produced by adding fat and berries to the ruhiggan (Lytwyn 2002). The sticky substance from the airbladder (isinglass) was used as a glue to fix canoes and as a colour fixative in paints (Lytwyn 2002). The heads and notochords were used in soups (Mary Neepin, in FLCN 2008). Catherine Beardy (in FLCN 2008) stated “We ate everything, even the stomach. We pounded it until it was flat and boiled it. We didn’t throw anything away.”

“Although everyone requires food, certain kinds of food are characteristic of distinctive cultures, and can be integral to those cultures. We have traditionally eaten food such as moose, caribou, beaver, gull eggs, sturgeon, ruffed grouse, wild raspberries and many more elements of Mother Earth. This relationship is an integral part of our culture”

CNP 2012

Although the spring spawn was the most intensive period for sturgeon fishing, communities procured a steady supply of sturgeon throughout the year (Lytwyn 2002). Sturgeon were harvested using a variety of methods including nets, spears, hooks, weirs and traps. Lytwyn (2002) reported that several fish weirs were operated on the Nelson River, the lower of which was located downstream from the last fall in the river. Shamattawa First Nation (Eaton 2012) also reported that a weir was located on the Echoing River downstream of Sturgeon Lake. Weirs were built in fast water and were comprised of a combination of fence and trap. Fish were scooped out of the trap with a dip net (Lytwyn 2002). Hook lines

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(boonnakissan) also were used to harvest sturgeon, mostly in the winter (Anderson 2007, in FLCN 2008). Sturgeon were often shot or knocked unconscious before being brought into a boat (Massan 2008, in FLCN 2008)

With the arrival of Europeans to Hudson Bay in the late 1600s, Lake Sturgeon also became a commodity that could be traded for other goods. Local Cree were hired by the fur traders to obtain fish for the trading posts. In the fall of 1693, an elderly Cree man caught all the fish for Albany Fort and was paid one coat, three skeins of twine, two nets and one worn hatchet (Lytwyn 2002). In July 1781, the HBC at York Factory traded for twenty five sturgeon from two canoes coming down-river noting that “…it was a noble supply of fresh provisions as both English and Indians are tired of salt food” (Lytwyn 2002). Lytwyn (2002) noted that although many HBC employees came from the Orkney Islands with a tradition of fishing, they were not as proficient as Cree fishermen. Despite HBC’s interest in isinglass, lowland Cree could not be persuaded to bring in the air bladders for trade (Lytwyn 2002). It was speculated that the care and effort required to remove them was not worth the low price that was being offered.

As the Hudson Bay Railway was completed and the Lake Winnipeg and upper Nelson River sturgeon fisheries began to fail, commercial fishing for Lake Sturgeon commenced downstream of Kelsey Rapids sometime between 1918 and 1924 (MacDonell 1997). Icelanders ran the operations using First Nations help. As the value of sturgeon rose, the fishery intensified. In 1924, Armstrong Independent Fisheries, who operated exclusively on the lower reach of the river, constructed an ice house and freezer at Mile 239 near Manitou Rapids and a second ice house at Kettle Rapids. In that year, 21% of all sturgeon marketed in Canada came from northern Manitoba. In 1926, Skaptason (1926) reported that “…in the northern area of the (Nelson) river, sturgeon seem to be fairly plentiful, and in any favourable year the full limit (100,000 lbs at the time) should be easily obtained. Some summers, however, conditions do not lend themselves to successful operations in the river. When the flood waters of its various large tributaries start to pour in, the water becomes so dirty and so filled with debris of all kinds it makes the handling of nets impossible.” Skaptason also noted that the waters of northern Manitoba “…were the last resort of sturgeon on the Continent”. With an improved rail line to Amery in 1927, movement of Nelson River sturgeon to markets greatly improved (MacDonell 1997). However, by 1928 the fishery had rapidly declined, and by 1934 it was closed.

Domestic fishing for sturgeon continued during the commercial fishery and associated closures. Zach Flett (in MacDonell 1997), who was originally from Split Lake, remembered fishing at Kelsey Rapids with his father during the 1930s and seeing 500-600 sturgeon there at one time. They would set nets anywhere and get sturgeon. “There was generally a race to the best spots and if someone beat you there you would set somewhere else.” He noted that they couldn’t take a boat past Kelsey as the water was too fast.

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The first outboard motors appeared in the 1930s. Domestic fishing for sturgeon occurred at the First Rapids on Burntwood River, where Arthur Brightnose captured 75 sturgeon in three nets on one occasion, and also at the first set of falls on the Odei River (MacDonell 1997).

Commercial fishing for Lake Sturgeon recommenced below Kelsey Rapids in 1937 and included many people from Split Lake (MacDonell 1997). Domestic and commercial fishermen fished side by side. The fish were bought by Keystone Fisheries in The Pas. Sturgeon too small to be sold were often kept to eat (George Brightnose, in MacDonell 1997). The catch would be delivered to the Hudson Bay Railroad at mile 244 (Photo 9). According to Arthur Brightnose (in MacDonell 1997), sturgeon were so plentiful at the Grass River during this time that you could catch them with your hands. Fishing also continued at the Burntwood River. Catches declined quickly, and the fishery was closed again in 1947.

Photo 9. Canoe bringing in a good catch of sturgeon, circa 1940s/50s.

Despite previous declines and closures, the season was re-opened once again in 1953 as far downstream as Split Lake (MacDonell 1997). After a reasonably good season, the fishery was extended downstream to Gull Rapids in 1954 but shortened to close on June 10 to avoid “the green slime problem”. The fishery also was extended to the Fox River where the grade of sturgeon was reported to be poorer than

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from the Nelson. The fishery was further extended downstream to Kettle Rapids in 1956 and to the Weir River in 1958. From 1957 to 1960, J. Hatley (pers. comm., 2010) participated in the commercial fishery below Gull Rapids. His attempts to fish below the Limestone Rapids were unsuccessful as there were no suitable places to set nets. A commercial sturgeon fishery on the Fox and Bigstone during this period yielded many fish (J. Hatley, pers comm., 2010). Sturgeon were also being purchased from fishermen at Shamattawa and Port Nelson (YFFN 2013). By 1960, the Nelson River sturgeon fishery was failing for a third time and it was closed again in 1961.

During the 1960s, Split Lake residents revealed to the Department of Natural Resources that they were capturing large quantities of sturgeon using 5.25” nets (MacDonell 1997). At that time, Split Lake residents believed that the sturgeon population could support a fishery. In 1970, the fishery reopened with quotas of 3,000 lbs from Kelsey to Kettle and 2,000 lbs from Kettle to the Weir River. Domestic fishing continued during this period. The commercial fishery was largely discontinued downstream of Kettle Rapids once the generating station was constructed in 1970 (J. Hatley, pers. comm., 2010).

From 1970-1987 only 4,305 kg (approximately 250-500 fish) of Lake Sturgeon were commercially harvested from Kelsey to Kettle (Patalas 1988). Very few were harvested downstream of Kettle. Commercial fishing on the Fox and Bigstone was conducted from 1972-1992 and yielded catches in 17 of 21 years (Stewart 2009). The annual harvest ranged from 20 to 1405 kg and averaged 725 kg (in the years when harvest occurred).

First Nations continued to harvest sturgeon from the Nelson River for domestic use during this time. In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada decision R. vs. Sparrow affirmed First Nations harvesting rights and removed restrictions on Treaty Indian domestic fishers. In 1992, all commercial fisheries on the Nelson River were closed and the Nelson River Sturgeon Co-management Board was established. One of the primary objectives of the Board was to provide non-regulatory harvest recommendations to domestic fishers that would balance subsistence and cultural needs of the community while protecting the Lake Sturgeon population in the Nelson River from further decline. All Lake Sturgeon commercial fisheries in Manitoba, including the Fox and Bigstone rivers, were closed in 1999. Commercial harvests from the Nelson and Hayes river systems are illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

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110000 - 100000 90000

80000 70000 60000 50000 40000

MarketedWeight (kg) 30000 20000 10000 Commercially HarvestedSturgeon Lake Commercially 0

1900 1903 1906 1909 1912 1915 1918 1921 1924 1927 1930 1933 1936 1939 1942 1945 1948 1951 1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 Year

Figure 1. Commercial Lake Sturgeon harvest from the Nelson River 1902-1992 (from Stewart 2009).

7000

- 6500 6000 5500 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500

MarketedWeight (kg) 2000 1500 1000

Commercially HarvestedSturgeon Lake Commercially 500 0

1900 1903 1906 1909 1912 1915 1918 1921 1924 1927 1930 1933 1936 1939 1942 1945 1948 1951 1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 Year

Figure 2. Commercial Lake Sturgeon harvest from the Hayes River system, including the Fox and Bigstone rivers, 1939-1992 (from Stewart 2009).

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4.1.3 Habitat Changes

The Nelson River flows in a north-easterly direction through the mid-western Canadian Shield and into the Hudson Bay lowlands. The upper portion of the river is irregular in shape, winding through the rocks of the Canadian Shield and dropping approximately 13 cm/km to Split Lake (Rosenberg et al. 2005). In the Hudson Bay lowlands below Split Lake, the Nelson River flows over Paleozoic limestones overlain with deep marine sediments (Rosenberg et al. 2005). The channel in this section is controlled by bedrock outcrops; Precambrian in the upper reaches and Siluiran dolomites and limestones in the lower reaches. Downstream of Kettle Rapids the channel bed becomes gravel/cobble/bedrock as it recuts its channel in a valley that has emerged since glaciation. From Split Lake to the estuary the river drops 57 cm/km. It is this high gradient of the Nelson River, particularly the lower reach that was desirable for hydroelectric development.

Photo 10. Kelsey Generating Station.

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By the 1950s, it was recognized that Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River had been severely impacted by exploitation. In addition, habitat changes from hydroelectric development began to affect the populations. The first generating station was built at Kelsey Rapids between 1957 and 1961 (the 224 MW Kelsey GS) to supply power to the International Nickel company’s mining and smelting operations in Thompson (Photo 10). Approximately 164 km2 were flooded, extending upstream to Sipiwesk Lake. Habitat downstream of the station was altered as a result of re-directed river flow. However, the station did little or no cycling, leaving the downstream environment free of rapid fluctuations in flow or dewatering/rewatering of the riverbed.

The 1,220 MW Kettle GS was the second station on the Nelson River and the first on the lower Nelson River (Photo 11). Construction of the station began in 1966 and it was completed in 1974. It would have affected the fish community in the reach of the river extending to Gull Rapids and possibly affected upstream movements of fish over Gull Rapids but effects are not expected to have extended further upstream. The Kettle GS was built to have an operating head of 30 m (98 ft.), increasing water levels on the Nelson River immediately upstream by approximately 31.5 m (103.3 ft) (Manitoba Hydro-Split Lake Cree Joint Studies 1996) and flooding 221 km2 (85.3 sq miles) in the reach of the Nelson River and tributaries between Gull and Kettle rapids (Manitoba Hydro 2014). In the mid-1960s, inflow of the Butnau River to the Nelson River was blocked by a dam and the river was redirected into the Kettle River such that it would discharge downstream of the GS. Open water levels were increased in 1998 after completion of dam safety upgrades. Operation of the GS causes daily and weekly water level changes on the reservoir (Stephens Lake). At some point the Town of Gillam also constructed a weir on the Kettle River which impacted riverine habitat and affected upstream movements of fish.

In the early 1970s, Manitoba Hydro initiated the Lake Winnipeg Regulation (LWR) and the Churchill River Diversion (CRD) projects to further increase the hydroelectric potential of the Nelson River. Lake Winnipeg Regulation would enable Manitoba Hydro to store water during the open-water season for use during winter when hydroelectric demand was highest. Regulation of Lake Winnipeg was achieved by constructing: 1) channels to improve outflows from Lake Winnipeg; and 2) a generating station (126 MW Jenpeg GS and Control Structure) in the upper reach of the river to regulate flows. The purpose of the CRD was to increase flows in the Nelson River where hydroelectric development would be concentrated. It included a control structure at Missi Falls at the outlet of Southern Indian Lake, which would allow diversion of approximately 900 m3/sec of water into the Burntwood River and subsequently into the Nelson River at Split Lake. Both projects were completed by 1976.

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Photo 11. Kettle Generating Station.

Since 1976 the LWR and CRD water management projects have combined to influence water levels and flows in the lower Nelson River and have significantly increased hydroelectric generation. The CRD has increased flows 8-fold in the Burntwood River from a long-term average of approximately 4,000 cfs to 30,000 cfs (110 cms to 850 cms) (Manitoba Hydro 2014). This has increased the total inflow to Split Lake by 32% and also changed flow patterns. The CRD and LWR have combined to change the seasonal flow pattern so that the highest flows typically occur during the winter rather than during the summer (Manitoba Hydro 2014). Operation of the CRD underwent testing and annual adjustments and as a result, discharge was not consistent until an Augmented Flow Program was fully established in 1986. The average post-CRD/LWR water level in Split Lake is 167.2 m (548.6 ft), which is 0.4 m (1.2 ft) higher than pre- CRD/LWR levels (Manitoba Hydro 2014). The change in seasonal flow distribution and the 32% increase in flow also was experienced in waterbodies downstream of Split Lake.

The 980 MW Long Spruce GS (26 m head) was the fourth to be constructed on the river. Constructed from 1973 to 1979 (Photo 12), it flooded 14.5 km2 (5.6 sq miles) in creating the Long Spruce Reservoir

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(Manitoba Hydro 2014). Construction of the 1,350 MW Limestone GS commenced in 1976 and, after a relatively lengthy construction delay, was finally completed in 1992 (Photo 13). When the forebay was fully impounded, it flooded just 2.2 km2 (0.8 sq miles) (Manitoba Hydro 2014).

Construction of the Kettle GS, and subsequently the Long Spruce and Limestone GSs, resulted in daily and weekly cycling of flows in both the impounded areas and in the river downstream. Depending on local conditions, large areas of the riverbed are dewatered and wetted on a daily or weekly basis. Prior to construction of the GSs, ice cover would develop up the river starting at the Nelson River estuary. After impoundment, stable ice cover formed on the reservoirs.

In summary, hydroelectric development has altered the Nelson River by: changing the amount and timing of flows on the Nelson River; causing daily and weekly dewatering of river channels and lake shores, directly eliminating falls and rapids through the placement of generating stations; increasing water depths; flooding terrestrial habitat; causing erosion and increasing sedimentation; altering water quality; decreasing velocities in reservoirs; inundating rapids, diverting the Butnau River; and blocking fish movement along the river. While these impacts have certainly had some effect on Lake Sturgeon populations in the river, the full extent of the effects remain unknown.

Photo 12. Long Spruce Generating Station.

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Photo 13. Limestone Generating Station.

4.2 Current Knowledge 4.2.1 First Nation Perspectives

First Nations continue to regard Lake Sturgeon as a gift and as culturally significant. However, the relationship between First Nations and Lake Sturgeon has been changing. Due to the impacts from overexploitation and habitat change, a species that was once considered a valuable food source and a main component of their diet, can no longer be accessed at many traditional fishing sites, nor in the quantity or quality of the past. Once viewed as healthy and rich to eat, First Nations have stated that habitat changes due to flooding have affected the taste, texture and colour of sturgeon. There also is a perception that mercury concentrations in Sturgeon have increased as a result of hydroelectric development, which has made the fish less desirable. In fact, many First Nations people will no longer consume Lake Sturgeon from the Nelson River.

First Nations have indicated that habitat changes along the Nelson River have destroyed sturgeon spawning sites and affected their diet and/or foraging patterns. Additionally, generating stations are believed to have blocked upstream fish movements and reduced downstream passage, as well as causing turbine mortality. First Nations have noted that the abundance of Lake Sturgeon has decreased,

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particularly near Gull and Kelsey rapids and in reservoirs. Many fish were stranded and died downstream of the dam as the reservoirs and fore bays were being filled (FLCN 2013). FLCN (2013) stated that uncontrolled and intense fishing by workers during construction of the hydroelectric projects caused the majority of damage to the sturgeon populations.

In addition to blocking fish movements, hydroelectric development has prevented the movement of people to traditional resource harvesting areas. Inputs of debris make fishing more difficult and less predictable, and make travelling more dangerous. While some Lake Sturgeon fishing still occurs, it is substantially reduced from historical levels, in part because of a greater involvement in the wage economy has eroded the importance of hunting and gathering by First Nations people. Traditional community meeting sites that were commonly found at Lake Sturgeon fishing locations, such as at Cache Lake, Butnau River, and the Kelsey, Keeyask, Kettle, Long Spruce and Limestone rapids have changed and are no longer visited on a regular basis. Johnny Beardy (2007 in FLCN 2008) stated,

“Nobody fishes upriver anymore because of the dams”

Lake Sturgeon harvest has been documented on Clark and Gull lakes (CNP, YFFN and FLCN 2011) and the Nelson River downstream of Gull Rapids (FLCN 2008; FLCN Environment Evaluation Report 2012). Due to interest in conserving Lake Sturgeon and concerns with respect to its quality as food, local Cree Nations have reported reduced Lake Sturgeon harvest from the Nelson River in recent years (FLCN 2008; CNP, YFFN and FLCN 2011; FLCN Environment Evaluation Report 2012). However, it has also been noted that the Conawapa road has increased access and sturgeon harvest downstream.

FLCN has reported that pickerel have replaced Lake Sturgeon as the most valued fish (FLCN 2010; FLCN Environment Evaluation Report 2012)

Despite the change in their relationship with First Nations, sturgeon remain culturally important. Central to the Cree world view is Askiy. YFFN (2012) defines Askiy as:

“…the whole of the land, water, people, plants, animals and all things. We are part of Askiy and we have relied on Askiy since we have existed. We respect Askiy and we are affected by even the smallest changes to Askiy. Askiy is beyond value.”

As Lake Sturgeon are a part of Askiy, any changes that have occurred to the species are considered important to First Nations. While First Nations traditionally believed that Lake Sturgeon would take care of them, they now feel a responsibility to take care of Lake Sturgeon.

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4.2.2 Harvest

There is presently no commercial fishery for Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson or Hayes rivers. The sport fishery is restricted to catch and release and current effort is negligible. As described above, although the relationship between First Nations peoples and Lake Sturgeon has changed, the species continues to be harvested to some extent by all First Nations communities participating on the KSNC. Important fishing areas include: below Kelsey GS, the Odei River (Photo 14), Burntwood River, Grass River, Gull Lake, Angling Lake, Weir River (Photo 15), Jackfish Island, mouth of the Limestone River, the lower Hayes River, the Gods River at Limestone Rapids and Shamattawa, the South Opuskiamishes River, Red Sucker Rapids, and upstream into the Echoing River to Sturgeon Lake (YFFN 2013, FLFN 2013, IRMA 2012).

According to Gilbert Beardy in YFFN (2013), “…hardly anyone fishes sturgeon now. There are only a few of us that do that. In York there’s only about three or four. Some fishermen are too old now.”

There is no understanding of the size of the subsistence harvest. 4.2.3 Distribution and Abundance

While populations are not what they once were, Lake Sturgeon are still found from Kelsey GS downstream to the Nelson River estuary and in the Hayes River system (Map 3). The following excerpts describing the river reaches of interest to the KSNC have been taken from ‘Lake Sturgeon in Manitoba: A summary of current knowledge’ (Manitoba Hydro 2015) and are supplemented by information provided by First Nations. 4.2.4 Kelsey to Kettle

The Kelsey GS to Kettle GS reach of the Nelson River is ~150 km in length. It is dominated by several large lakes (Split, Clark, Gull and Stephens) separated by high-gradient riverine sections. Downstream of the Kelsey GS, the Nelson River splits into two channels and flows through bedrock before emptying into Split Lake. The Burntwood and Odei rivers empty into the western arm of Split Lake. Clark Lake occurs just downstream of Split Lake and is separated from Gull Lake by a ~25 km riverine section which includes a significant hydraulic drop at Birthday (Overflow) Rapids. Downstream of Gull Lake, the Nelson River again pitches at the site of Gull Rapids (the site of the currently under construction Keeyask GS), before becoming Stephens Lake, the Kettle GS reservoir. The Kettle GS operates on a peaking and ponding schedule, passing more flow when hydroelectric demand is high, and storing water in the large Stephens Lake reservoir when demand is low. The large volume of Stephens Lake minimizes the effects of peaking and ponding on water level fluctuation on a short-term scale; even on an annual scale, forebay water levels typically vary by less than 1 m (Manitoba Hydro unpublished data).

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Photo 14. The first falls on the Odei River.

Photo 15. Mouth of the Weir River.

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By the time the Nelson River fishery was closed in 1960, the Lake Sturgeon population in this area was considered to have been depleted (MCWS 2012). Currently, the Kelsey GS prevents upstream movement of Lake Sturgeon, but genetic differentiation of populations upstream and downstream indicates that the sharp 6 m hydraulic drop (i.e., Grand Rapid; Denis and Challies 1916) represented an historical barrier to upstream movement and gene flow (Côté et al. 2011). Backwatering from the Kettle GS caused extensive flooding upstream as far as Gull Rapids, meaning that the hydraulic drop present today is less than it would have been historically. Furthermore, this backwatering dramatically altered the character of the Gull Rapids to Kettle GS reach, which was previously a confined riverine section of moderate gradient (Denis and Challies 1916). According to FLCN elders, Lake Sturgeon below Split Lake could move up and downstream to the estuary (FLCN 2013).

The vast majority of contemporary knowledge about Lake Sturgeon in this reach originates from environmental studies completed in support of the proposed Keeyask GS. Mark-recapture tagging, as well as acoustic telemetry studies, indicate that adult Lake Sturgeon tend to remain in the various water bodies in which they have been captured, but some movements (both upstream and downstream) at Gull Rapids and Birthday Rapids have been observed (Barth and Mochnacz 2004; Barth 2005; Barth and Ambrose 2006; Barth and MacDonald 2008; MacDonald 2008; 2009; Michaluk and MacDonald 2010; MacDonald and Barth 2011; Hrenchuk and McDougall 2012).

The most recent population estimates for Lake Sturgeon in this section of the Nelson River are 585 adults between Split Lake and Kelsey GS and in the Burntwood River to First Rapids, and 596 adults from Birthday Rapids to Gull Rapids (Table 2). No clear increasing or decreasing trend was noted for either population; however, it was noted that the precision of the estimates will improve over time as additional monitoring data are incorporated and local resource user tag returns become available (Nelson and Barth 2012). Juvenile and YOY (i.e., age 0) Lake Sturgeon have been captured in several discrete locations in the study reach, including the riverine section between the Kelsey GS and Split Lake, on the Burntwood River downstream of First Rapids (Photo 16), in Gull Lake, and at the upstream end of Stephens Lake (MacDonald 2008; 2009; Michaluk and MacDonald 2010).

Recently, increased emphasis has been placed on understanding the juvenile life stage in this reach. Results indicate generally low juvenile abundance in the Burntwood River, while the Gull Lake and Stephens Lake juvenile segments are dominated by a single strong cohort, produced in 2008 (Henderson and Pisiak 2012). A high-resolution-genetics study (Gosselin et al. 2014) was able to determine this pattern was the result of a successful spawning event in the Nelson River upstream of Gull Lake followed by extensive downstream redistribution of progeny into Stephens Lake. There is indication that limited spawning at Gull Rapids may also have contributed to the 2008 cohort in Stephens Lake.

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Map 3. Distribution of Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River downstream of Kelsey G.S. and in the Hayes River system.

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4.2.5 Kettle to Long Spruce

The Kettle GS to Long Spruce GS (i.e., Long Spruce Reservoir) section of the Nelson River is ~16 km long. Although the upstream portion has retained some of its riverine character (Photo 17), daily fluctuations of flow occur as a result of peaking and ponding operations controlled at the Kettle GS. The downstream portion has been substantially altered by backwatering from the Long Spruce GS. Water levels typically vary on a weekly basis, decreasing from Monday through Friday and increasing on the weekend (Cleator et al. 2010a). At the upstream end of the reservoir, water levels fluctuated within the 0.81 to 1.71 m range during the open-water season; whereas fluctuations were more muted at the downstream end of the reservoir, varying from 0.35 to 0.70 m during the same period (Manitoba Hydro unpublished data).

Recently, studies completed under the Manitoba Hydro Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program (LSSEP) assessed the spawning and juvenile segments of the population in this reach (Lavergne 2012; Lavergne and Barth 2012). In spring 2012, only six adult (and one juvenile) Lake Sturgeon were captured near the base of the Kettle GS powerhouse and spillway, while in fall 2012, only ten juveniles were captured in the middle portion of the reach. These data were similar to results of previous monitoring studies (e.g., Swanson et al. 1988; 1990; 1991; Ambrose et al. 2008; 2009). It was reasoned that the low number of Lake Sturgeon available to spawn annually is likely one of the factors limiting population growth in the impoundment (Lavergne and Barth 2012). Fox Lake elders (kitayatisuk) insist that the size of the Lake Sturgeon population currently in the reservoir is larger than the studies suggest and, thus, are of the opinion that the remnant population is a potential candidate for rehabilitation (FLCN 2013).

Although the majority of Lake Sturgeon captured in the Long Spruce Reservoir over the years have been younger than the age of the reservoir, it is unclear if recruitment has occurred successfully within this stretch (Lavergne and Barth 2012), or if individuals present are solely immigrants from upstream of the Kettle GS. Sturgeon surviving downstream passage at the Kettle GS have been documented (Hrenchuk and McDougall 2012), so immigration appears to be at least somewhat influential. Population supplementation (either via stocking or downstream movement of fish from upstream locations) may be required to yield population growth (Lavergne and Barth 2012); however, two issues may be compounding factors. Firstly, it is unclear if suitable habitat to support all life stages of Lake Sturgeon exists within the reservoir (MCWS 2012). Secondly, if patterns are consistent with those observed in the Winnipeg River (McDougall et al. 2014a), entrainment of middle life stages (juveniles and sub-adults) through the Long Spruce GS may be occurring at a high rate as a result of the contiguous deep-water habitat throughout the middle to and lower portions of the reservoir and a lack of natural movement restrictors. Recent habitat modeling shows that the suitability of Lake Sturgeon spawning habitat below

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Table 2. Estimates of adult (<800 mm fork length) abundance for Lake Sturgeon populations in the lower Nelson River and Fox River (North/South Consultants Inc., unpublished data).

95% Confidence Waterbody Location Year Estimate Limits Lower Upper

Nelson and Nelson River from Kelsey 2001 183 122 576 Burntwood River to Split Lake and Burntwood River from 2002 228 106 735 First Rapids to Split Lake 2005 592 245 1,815 2006 505 325 947 2007 654 528 975 2009 585 478 824 Nelson River Birthday to Gull Rapids 2001 461 370 551 2002 355 277 434 2003 496 410 581 2004 380 298 463 2006 722 590 854 2008 572 443 701 2010 764 524 1,005 2012 707 480 935 2014 596 466 725 Nelson River Limestone GS to Estuary 1996 356 320 392 1997 1,910 1,566 2,254 1998 1,773 1,452 2,095 2004 2,108 1,658 2,558 2005 5,595 5,218 5,993 2006 5,195 4,823 5,601 2007 5,643 5,103 6,223 2008 6,206 5,339 7,200 2010 5,480 4,668 6,376 2013 8,413 6,498 10,758 Fox River Rainbow Falls to Great Falls 2004 646 312 980

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Photo 16. First Rapids on the Burntwood River.

Photo 17. Upstream end of Long Spruce Reservoir viewed in a downstream direction.

KSNC Stewardship Plan 41 June 2016 the Kettle GS powerhouse varies considerably in relation to daily cycling of flows (Manitoba Hydro, unpublished data). 4.2.6 Long Spruce GS – Limestone GS

The Long Spruce GS to Limestone GS (i.e., Limestone Reservoir) reach of the Nelson River is ~23 km long. The nature of the Limestone Reservoir mirrors that of the Long Spruce Reservoir. The upstream portion of the reach has retained some of its riverine character, but daily fluctuations of flow occur due to peaking and ponding operations controlled at the Kettle GS. The downstream portion has been strongly altered by backwatering from the Limestone GS (Photo 18). Water levels typically also vary on a weekly basis, decreasing from Monday through Friday, and increasing on the weekend (Cleator et al. 2010a). In general, patterns of water level fluctuation mirror that of the Kettle GS – Long Spruce GS reach (see above).

Photo 18. Limestone Reservoir.

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A total of 42 Lake Sturgeon have been captured during 13 fisheries surveys conducted in the Limestone Reservoir since its creation in 1989 (NSC, unpublished data). While some of the Lake Sturgeon captured were younger than the age of impoundment, due to the low numbers of fish present it is considered unlikely that there is a self-sustaining population (MCWS 2012).

In 2007, Manitoba Hydro initiated a study to determine habitat use and movement patterns of juvenile and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon in the Limestone Reservoir. Herein, 16 Lake Sturgeon captured in the lower Nelson River downstream of Limestone GS were implanted with acoustic transmitters and released (off-current) at the upstream end of the Limestone Reservoir (Ambrose et al. 2009). Over the next two years, these fish were tracked during the open-water seasons with an array of stationary acoustic receivers deployed throughout the Limestone Reservoir and downstream in the lower Nelson River, to monitor downstream passage. Habitat utilization results varied over time. Sturgeon were observed moving throughout the reservoir; however, in 2007, fish tended to utilize the upper, more riverine, sections (Ambrose et al. 2009). In 2008, the majority of detections occurred in the middle and lower sections of the reservoir. By the end of the 2010 open-water season (when tags should have expired), eight of sixteen transferred fish were confirmed to have passed downstream through the Limestone GS; four in 2007 and four in 2008 (Pisiak et al. 2011). At least five of the eight passed through the turbines, of which at least four survived. 4.2.7 Limestone to Hudson Bay

The Limestone GS – Hudson Bay section of the Nelson River consists of ~100 km of moderate gradient riverine habitat (Photo 19), prior to becoming intermittently saline (dependant on Nelson River flow volumes and tidal influence) in the vicinity of Port Nelson (Photo 20). Short-term flow and water level fluctuations are common in this stretch of river, due to the influence of peaking and ponding operations at the Kettle GS located upstream. Downstream of Limestone GS, extensive dewatering occurs on a daily basis, and although this water regime is known to affect Lake Sturgeon spawning, the full extent of effects on Lake Sturgeon populations is not understood (MCWS 2012).

Studies conducted in support of the Limestone GS and proposed Conawapa GS after 1988 revealed that the Lake Sturgeon population in this section of river was larger than previously thought (MacDonell 1995; 1998; Barth and MacDonell 1999; Holm et al. 2006; Ambrose et al. 2008; 2009; 2010a; 2010b; Pisiak et al. 2011). The Weir River, Angling River, and Lower Limestone Rapids (Photo 21) have been confirmed as spawning locations. Successful spawning and hatch was known to occur at the Lower Limestone rapids in five of eight springs from 2004-2010 (Pisiak et al. 2011). Flow cycling may have affected spawning in the other three years. YFFN (2013) reported that the lower Nelson River continues to provide fishermen with a populated and moderately accessible area for sturgeon fishing.

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Photo 19. The Nelson River looking upstream from near the mouth of the Angling River.

Photo 20. Port Nelson at the mouth of the Nelson River.

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An extensive mark-recapture data set dating back to the 1990s provided the opportunity to estimate the sturgeon population in this reach and determine its trajectory. Results to 2013 suggested that the adult Lake Sturgeon population in this reach of the river was stable or slightly increasing and that a significant recruitment of adults has recently occurred (Henderson et al. 2014b). The presence of a relatively large number of small, unmarked adults (750-849 mm FL) in the most recent catches resulted in a significant increase in the abundance estimate (from 5,467 in 2005 to 8,413 in 2013) (Table 2).

Photo 21. Looking downstream at the lower Limestone or Flathead Rapids.

A concentration of juveniles has been located in the vicinity of Jackfish Island, essentially the only large area (~3 km2) in the lower Nelson River where deep water (> 10 m) and lower water velocities predominate (Ambrose et al. 2010b). One juvenile (age 2) was captured in the Nelson River estuary with limited effort (Holm and Bernhardt 2011), although it is unclear to what extent juveniles utilize this area. Harvest on the lower Nelson River is thought to have increased since the construction of the Conawapa Road in the early 1990s (MCWS 2012).

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The majority of sturgeon in the lower Nelson River inhabit a 65 km reach between Deer Island and the Lower Limestone Rapids and remain in this reach throughout the year. The reach has three known spawning locations and suitable YOY, juvenile and adult habitat. Acoustic telemetry data from 2007 suggested that less than 7% of the adult sturgeon in this reach will move upstream of Lower Limestone Rapids in a given year. Sturgeon in the reach had a higher propensity to move downstream with at least 40% travelling as far as Port Nelson. Some are known to move up the Angling River to Angling Lake where they may stay for up to five years (MacDonell 1992). A low proportion is also known to move around Marsh Point and into the Hayes River (Ambrose et al. 2010a; Klassen 2012). According to Isaac Beardy in YFFN (2013) sturgeon”…don’t like saltwater… but can tolerate it...When the tide goes out they go around.” SFN reported capturing tagged Lake Sturgeon from the Nelson River as far upstream as Sturgeon Lake in Ontario (IRMA 2012). 4.2.8 Hayes River

The Hayes River system is located in the northeastern corner of the province, and includes the Fox, Bigstone, and Gods rivers, which are tributaries to the Hayes River. The Hayes River itself is ~485 km long, flowing northeast through a series of lakes before emptying into Hudson Bay. While the upper reaches of the Hayes River and its various tributaries feature pool/riffle streams and deep shield lakes, the lower portion of the system is fast-flowing and shallow, cutting through the Hudson Bay lowlands.

Sturgeon are known from the Hayes River proper, the Gods River upstream to Sturgeon Falls and into Red Sucker River, the Echoing River to Sturgeon Lake, the Opuskiamishes River, the Stupart River to Stupart Lake, the Fox River into Fox Lake and the Bigstone River. Sturgeon spawning was reported at South Opuskiamishes River and at Red Sucker Rapids (IRMA 2012) (Photo 22). Several other suitable locations are suspected but have not been confirmed. Lake Sturgeon have recently been captured during the spawning season in the Echoing River, and in the Hayes River at Whitemud Falls and in the Fox River below Rainbow Falls (Photo 23) (Koga 2014, Ambrose and MacDonell 2014). However, none of the sturgeon showed signs of current year reproductive activity. A Lake Sturgeon population in the Fox River between Great Falls and Rainbow Falls was estimated at 646 +/- 334 adults in 2004/2005 (Pisiak and MacLean 2007).

Although little is known about Hayes River Lake Sturgeon, populations are believed to be healthy. However, issues may result if harvest pressures increase, as productivity (and carrying capacity) of these rivers is expected to be low (MCWS 2012). As noted previously, Lake Sturgeon tagged in the lower Nelson River have been recaptured in the Hayes River system (Ambrose et al. 2010a; Klassen 2012), but results from high-resolution genetic analyses suggest that the Nelson and Hayes River populations are distinct (Gosselin et al. 2014). Interestingly, the same study indicated that Lake Sturgeon captured in the

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Photo 22. Red Sucker Rapids on the Gods River.

Photo 23. Rainbow Falls on the Fox River.

KSNC Stewardship Plan 47 June 2016 lower Hayes River proper and those captured in the lower Gods River are not genetically differentiated, suggesting historical population connectivity. 4.2.9 Knowledge Gaps

Lake Sturgeon were largely ignored for several decades as populations declined. However, in the last two decades the species has risen in prominence due to its recognition as threatened or endangered throughout much of its range. There has been much interest in understanding its remaining distribution and its life history needs in order to implement suitable measures for recovery. Despite all the studies that have occurred to date, much remains to be learned about Lake Sturgeon to fully understand its decline and the measures that will be most effective in bringing about its recovery.

Golder Associates Ltd. (2011) listed the following information needs in relation to Lake Sturgeon recovery in Ontario:

 Current status of remnant Lake Sturgeon sub-populations and their distribution in remote areas;  Locations of important habitat features including staging, spawning, nursery, and overwintering areas. It was recognized that much of this information may exist within First Nation communities in the form of TK;  Factors impeding recovery in drainages and in localized portions of drainages where Lake Sturgeon abundance is believed to be declining;  Larval, young-of-the-year and yearling habitat preferences and the factors that contribute to habitat suitability;  Disease prevalence with respect to introductions and/or supplemental stocking of Lake Sturgeon;  Standardized assessment and data gathering protocols incorporating Lake Sturgeon sub- population and habitat utilization criteria;  Uncertainty with respect to population structure and population dynamics associated with healthy sub-populations (e.g., age structure, recruitment), including minimum viable population size;  Understanding of what levels of harvest are sustainable;  Potential impacts of climate change on habitat, behavior, survival and recovery;  Impact of introduced species on Lake Sturgeon and how they interact;  Effectiveness of current measures to effectively mitigate threats (e.g., flow management);  Linkage(s) between habitat suitability and availability and population dynamics (e.g., year class strength, survival);  Effects of contaminants on growth, reproduction, survival and body burden;  Understanding of carrying capacity of lake and river habitats, in particular with respect to fragmented systems;  Understanding of the ecological role of Lake Sturgeon within aquatic communities and impacts

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of increasing Lake Sturgeon abundance on existing fish communities;  Efficacy of habitat enhancement methods;  Effectiveness of Lake Sturgeon stocking efforts currently being implemented in other jurisdictions;  Technology to pass all life history stages of Lake Sturgeon across and around man-made barriers, both upstream and downstream; and  Improved technology related to turbine design, in order to reduce entrainment and impingement mortality of all life stages of Lake Sturgeon.

Many of these information gaps are relevant to the Nelson River populations.

Lake Sturgeon studies have been conducted on the Nelson River since Leif Sunde began collecting data for the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources in 1955. Since then, Lake Sturgeon have been subject to study under the Limestone GS Environmental Studies and post-project monitoring, Keeyask GS EIS process, the Conawapa Environmental Studies Program, Manitoba Hydro’s Lake Sturgeon Stewardship Program and the Nelson River Sturgeon Co-management Board. First Nations have also undertaken studies to collect information on Lake Sturgeon from community members and elders (FLCN 2008, FLCN 2013, YFFN 2013, SFN [IRMA 2012]). All of these studies have provided a wealth of information on the status and life history of Lake Sturgeon in much of the river and have provided information to fill some of the gaps listed above. Despite this work, knowledge gaps remain, some of which can be addressed with additional effort. The KSNC can direct their efforts to filling some of these gaps and/or advocate for others to fill the gaps. A summary of knowledge gaps for each of the MUs in the KSNC area of concern is provided in Table 3.

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Table 3. Summary of key knowledge gaps and ranking of relative importance.

Type of Questions that require answers Why we need to know? How can the questions be answered? Importance of Answering Question* Information Hayes Kelsey to Long Spruce Limestone Limestone River Kettle Reservoir Reservoir to Estuary System Population Are current stocks large enough to allow Poor habitat is not the only potential limitation to population growth. The number Monitoring the number of adult spawners and adult population growth without stocking? of adult fish may be important. Being periodic spawners, it may be that ripe females population size will provide information on the number of and males rarely "meet" during the spawning window. Also, if only a few females are potential spawners. Monitoring of young-of-the-year (YOY) 4 1 1 5 4 spawning, reproductive risk is concentrated in one area. This data gap is important populations, egg deposition and larval drift can provide data because there is little point trying to improve habitat quality/quantity if habitat is on whether there are sufficient fish to allow successful not the factor limiting Lake Sturgeon population growth/recovery. recruitment. Habitat Do the existing river reaches provide Many of the key habitat areas under existing conditions are known. However, Information on habitat use can be generated through the necessary habitat for self-sustaining although Lake Sturgeon occur in Long Spruce and Limestone reservoirs, it is not telemetry studies, experimental stocking, populations? known if recruitment is occurring. It is uncertain whether these reservoirs provide all juvenile/recruitment studies and by having a better 4 1 1 6 6 habitats required to support a self-sustaining population. Developing strategies for understanding of the specific habitat needs of the different stock rehabilitation in the reservoirs will depend on the types of habitat present. life history stages of Lake Sturgeon. Movement What are the rates of emigration and It is important to have an understanding of the number of fish entering and leaving a Movement of sturgeon can be monitored using telemetry, immigration in reaches of the lower population in order to assess the need for fish passage to maintain connection hydroacoustics, and mark and recapture. Genetics studies 2 1 1 5 5 Nelson River? between reservoirs. Understanding the number of fish leaving and entering a system provide information on effective dispersal of fish is also essential to accurately model and manage a population. (reproductive contribution to other populations). Mortality What is the mortality rate of Lake Understanding mortality rates is critical in accurately modeling and managing While the first step would be to understand emigration Sturgeon passing by generating populations and for determining the need for, and evaluating the potential rates from a reservoir, the next step would be to determine stations? effectiveness of, mitigation measures. mortality rates of those fish moving downstream. Mortality rates can be inferred from studies on other species, from 3 3 3 5 5 passage of surrogate fish, by estimating pressure changes and subsequent effects on fish and/or by directly studying mortality rates of sturgeon passage. What are the current rates of domestic Understanding mortality rates is critical for accurately modeling and managing a Domestic harvest rates can be determined by harvest harvest? population and for determining the need for, and evaluating the potential surveys or by voluntary reporting. Harvest surveys can be effectiveness of, conservation measures. done on the river, but require a large amount of effort. 1 5 5 1 1 Harvests can also be determined by recall surveys or harvest calendars. Reproduction Are Lake Sturgeon spawning, hatching, Addressing this question is critically important because recruitment is required for Monitoring YOY and juveniles will provide the data and survival drifting, and surviving their first winter? long-term population persistence, growth, and recovery. If fish aren't able to necessary to determine whether recruitment is occurring. The first year of life appears the most successfully spawn, hatch and grow into adult size, the population will eventually fail 2 1 1 3 5 critical as mortality rates are lower in (in the absence of stocking). subsequent years. What factors (e.g., density of fish, flow Understanding the factors that influence recruitment can provide valuable Monitoring recruitment in relation to specific factors. Long conditions, availability of substrates) information for selecting and implementing habitat enhancements or stocking term data are often needed to develop conclusions. Studies 1 1 1 3 5 influence recruitment to the adult programs. can also be conducted to develop a better understanding of population and to what extent? habitat preferences and needs during specific life stages.

* 1- most important; 6 least importance

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5.0 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES USED ELSEWHERE

Lake Sturgeon management, restoration and/or stewardship plans have been developed for several provinces and states including Alberta (Alberta Lake Sturgeon Recovery Team 2011), Manitoba (MCWS 2012), Ontario (Golder Associates Ltd. 2011), Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2000), Michigan (Hayes and Caroffino 2012), and Missouri (Missouri Department of Conservation 2007). Several river- or waterbody-specific plans have also been developed (e.g., Saskatchewan River [SRSMB 2002, 2014]; Kalamazoo River [Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2010]; Lake Superior [Auer 2003], Tennessee River [https://www.was.org/documents/MeetingPresentations/AQ2013/AQ2013_1229.pdf]), as have best management practices for industry (e.g., Ontario Waterpower Association – AECOM 2009, Missouri Department of Conservation 2000). These plans have employed several strategies to support protection and recovery, focusing on specific measures that directly affect Lake Sturgeon abundance, and on efforts to generate support for Lake Sturgeon recovery. Due to its life history, Lake Sturgeon management requires a long term commitment. This requirement is problematic as the time commitment can often exceed government terms or the life span of the people involved.

A workshop to identify research and assessment needs to restore sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes (Holey et al. 2000) identified the following impediments to rehabilitation:

 Barriers to spawning grounds;  Unfavourable flow regimes;  Lack of public awareness of the value of sturgeon;  Habitat fragmentation;  Contaminants;  Lack of knowledge of early life history requirements and food base;  Overexploitation;  Lack of funding;  Inter-jurisdictional differences;  Spawning habitat degradation;  Water quality;  Lack of knowledge of historic abundance and range;  Low current abundance of sturgeon;  Insufficient hatchery capacity;  Limited availability of brood stock; and  Illegal harvest.

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As outlined in the previous section, the lower Nelson River populations face many of the same impediments. Selecting appropriate management actions will depend on the factors most important in limiting the population. A summary of strategies that have been employed by other Lake Sturgeon stewardship and management groups is provided in Appendix 2.

All management actions are ultimately directed at accomplishing one of three things: getting more fish into the system (e.g., through stocking, improving reproduction); reducing the number of fish leaving the system (through reducing mortality or emigration); or understanding how current management actions are working (monitoring). While the literature contains multiple accounts of successful management actions, few reports discuss failures or the reasons why management actions have not worked.

The following is a summary of some of the strategies that have been considered elsewhere for protecting and enhancing Lake Sturgeon populations. While all of the following can potentially have positive effects on sturgeon, the costs/benefits of each action need to be weighted in relation to their potential contribution to sturgeon recovery. The following management strategies are summarized in Table 4.

5.1 Monitoring 5.1.1 Population

Evaluation is a key component of any fisheries management program. Part of this evaluation process includes monitoring to determine how a fish population is changing in response to management actions or lack thereof. Monitoring can focus on egg deposition, larval drift, juveniles, and adults. It can focus on numbers, sizes, condition and disease. Given the life history characteristics of sturgeon, managers need to be patient and willing to monitor for extended periods of time. Methods that provide quantitative results are generally more useful than qualitative sampling. In the absence of monitoring, management successes or failures are likely to remain unknown. 5.1.2 Harvest

A key input to understanding population trends is harvest. Harvest can be the primary factor driving mortality after the first year. Understanding harvest also allows for an efficient allocation of the resource. Managing harvest can be one of the most effective and efficient methods of increasing Lake Sturgeon numbers. Methods of monitoring harvest range from voluntary reporting to recall surveys or creel censuses, and can require very little or extensive efforts.

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Table 4. Summary of stewardship strategies that have been used elsewhere.

Stewardship Strategy Type of Action Examples Monitoring Population Monitoring Adults, juveniles, larvae, egg deposition Harvest Monitoring Domestic harvest surveys, catch registry Stocking Translocation of Adult Fish Moving adult fish Fish Culture/ hatchery Hatchery operations Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Spawning bed creation, juvenile habitat Flow Management Flow augmentation during spawn, reduce cycling Defragmentation Barrier removal Provision of fish passage Research Inventories Adult, juvenile Life History Juvenile habitat requirements, incubation needs Modeling Determining sustainable harvest, or best size to harvest Traditional Knowledge Understanding previous and ongoing effects Protection Recommendations Harvests or locations Regulations Legal restrictions to harvest, numbers, seasons, or locations Education Presentations Brochure/Posters Website Videos Hatchery operations Book Importance of sturgeon to communities Sturgeon in Schools Aquaria In-school Workshops Interpretive signage At spawning locations Adopt a sturgeon Public Engagement Annual dinner or feasts Turn in Poachers (TIP) Program Spawning ground patrols Release events/blessings Information Booth Facebook Page Cooperators Patches Hatchery tours

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5.2 Stocking

Lake Sturgeon stocking is a proven method for increasing Lake Sturgeon numbers and, as such, stocking is considered the cornerstone of many recovery plans (Cleator et al. 2010a; McDougall et al. 2014b; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2002; Schram et al. 1999). Stocking effectively improves natural recruitment by ensuring survival through the very young life history stages, thereby bypassing a significant portion of the mortality that occurs in wild fish populations. Stocking can also be used to “kick start” a population where sufficient habitats remain but low numbers of fish may preclude successful reproduction and recovery.

Within Manitoba, Lake Sturgeon stocking has been conducted in the Assiniboine, Nelson, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan rivers. It also has been conducted in the Minnesota portion of the Red River, which subsequently flows through Manitoba. Results of these stocking programs are provided below.

Stocking was conducted in the Assiniboine River from 1996 to 2013, in an attempt to re-establish the species in a river from which it was previously considered extirpated. An increasing number of Lake Sturgeon angling captures reported in the vicinity of Brandon, Manitoba (Malcom and Bruederlin 2009) indicated some level of success. Furthermore, a recent fisheries survey captured 30 Lake Sturgeon, including seven adult fish 820 – 1040 mm in length (Aiken et al. 2013). The capture of many small sturgeon by anglers and during the survey (Aiken et al. 2013) raises the possibility that reproduction of stocked fish may have begun; however, at present it seems more likely that these individuals link back to a recent stocking event.

Lake Sturgeon stocking in the upper Nelson River has been conducted intermittently since 1994 by the NRSB, with support from Manitoba Fisheries Branch and Manitoba Hydro. Discharge in this reach is controlled by the Jenpeg GS as part of Lake Winnipeg Regulation and water levels are affected by the Kelsey GS. Spawn collection typically occurred at the Landing River tributary, located 30 km upstream of the Kelsey GS. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings and (since 2007) yearlings have been stocked back into various locations of the upper Nelson River. Beginning in 2012, formal juvenile inventory/stocking evaluation studies have been conducted in the Sea Falls – Sugar Falls reach (2012 – 2014), Pipestone Lake (2013) and Little Playgreen Lake (2014). Results of these studies have indicated survival/retention of stocked yearlings into the various target reaches has been very high (McDougall and Pisiak 2012; McDougall and Pisiak 2014; McDougall et al. 2014b; McDougall and Nelson 2015). Conversely, there is minimal evidence of contributions via fingerlings stocked; relative recruitment ratios have been estimated to be 80 – 130 times higher for yearlings versus fingerlings. Furthermore, examination of reaches downstream of those where the fish were released have revealed that while some dispersal has occurred, the vast majority of fish that have survived after dispersing downstream were also stocked as yearlings. Lake Sturgeon stocked as yearlings have been in excellent condition upon field recapture, and

June 2016 54 KSNC Stewardship Plan for the majority of cohorts, individuals have grown at rates that outpace counterparts from elsewhere on the Nelson River. Fingerling and larval stocking has been intermittently conducted elsewhere in the upper Nelson River (e.g., at Landing River); however all evidence gathered to date suggests that these efforts have been unsuccessful. Stocking in the Keeyask area (Burntwood River, Gull Lake, Stephens Lake) is in its infancy, and to date only a few individuals that link back to yearling stocking events have been recaptured.

Sturgeon (primarily fingerlings and some yearlings) were stocked in the reservoirs of selected generating stations on the Winnipeg River most years from 1996 – 2010. Research suggested that the survival of yearlings was 24 times higher than for fingerlings stocked in 2009 and 2010 in the Slave Falls to Seven Sisters reach of the river (Klassen 2014). As natural recruitment has now been confirmed in all impoundments on the Manitoba side of the Winnipeg River, stocking populations along that reach does not appear to be necessary for rehabilitation.

Lake Sturgeon were stocked into the Saskatchewan River during 1999 and 2000, as well as from 2003 to 2007. Spawning adults were captured downstream of the EB Campbell or Nipawin dams by Saskatchewan Environment staff. While considerable numbers of Lake Sturgeon have been stocked into the Saskatchewan River as either fry or fingerlings, the survival of stocked fish is uncertain. The poor evaluation of stocking success was attributable to the lack of a successful marking technique at the time of stocking.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources started a 20 year plan to restore Lake Sturgeon populations and has been releasing sturgeon from the Rainy River into the Red River drainage (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2002; Aadland et al. 2005). The 2002-2022 plan was to release 600,000 fry and 34,000 fingerlings per year at various locations throughout the Red River drainage in Minnesota. Anecdotal evidence (angler recaptures) suggests that Lake Sturgeon encounters in the Red River in Canada are increasing (Cleator et al. 2010b).

Given that Lake Sturgeon reintroduction results in increased numbers of fish, the question now being studied relates to whether or not stocked Lake Sturgeon will be able to reproduce successfully after being raised in a hatchery for the first few months to year of their life. To date, there is one example of a Lake Sturgeon stocking program that has resulted in successful reproduction by stocked fish. This example is from the St. Louis River, a tributary of Lake Superior, where Lake Sturgeon were completely extirpated and stocking resulted in successful reproduction by stocked fish (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/explore/lake- sturgeon-return-to-st-louis-river.xml). More positive results are likely limited by the time frame needed for stocked fish to reach maturity. More examples may be found as more populations of stocked fish reach sexual maturity.

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The ability to successfully stock Lake Sturgeon depends on accessing suitable brood stock. An objective of the Manitoba Lake Sturgeon Management Strategy is to preserve the genetic integrity and diversity of existing stocks (MCWS 2012). Thus, successful development of a Lake Sturgeon stocking plan requires an understanding of the current genetic structure of the population and identification of suitable brood stock. In the absence of specific information on the genetic structure of existing stocks, the Strategy advocates restricting stocking to within DUs. However, a recent population genetics study on the Nelson River indicated that the populations are demographically fragmented and concluded that maintenance of the existing genetic structure would be best accomplished by restricting the transfer of stocks among MUs (Gosselin et al. 2014).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Smith and Hobden 2011) has produced a synopsis of Lake Sturgeon culture, marking and stocking techniques.

5.3 Habitat 5.3.1 Restoration/Enhancement

Availability of suitable habitat for all Lake Sturgeon life history stages is critical for maintaining self- sustaining populations. Lake Sturgeon populations can be enhanced by restoring previously impacted habitat or by enhancing existing habitat by physically moving or providing suitable substrate or by manipulating flows or water levels.

Habitat enhancement/restoration activities for the benefit of Lake Sturgeon often have focused on improving spawning areas. Several studies have demonstrated that construction of artificial spawning beds can be effective. However, there are several factors that determine where Lake Sturgeon will spawn and not all constructed spawning habitats have been successful.

Dumont et al. (2011) reported that Lake Sturgeon reproductive success in the Des Prairie River, Quebec, immediately below the Riviere Des Prairie GS, was improved following the addition of 8000 m2 of appropriate substrate. The estimated mean survival rates of eggs to drifting larvae improved from 0.88% and 0.93% in the two years prior to substrate addition, to 5.6%, 3.8% and 2.4% in the three years following the substrate addition. Roseman et al. (2011) documented the use of a man-made spawning reef in the Detroit River between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Here, a spawning reef was created at the upstream end of Fighting Island, a site not previously used by spawning Lake Sturgeon. Johnson et al. (2006) documented three consecutive years of spawning success at an artificial spawning site near Odgensburg in the St. Lawrence River. These authors believed that maintenance of sediment-free interstitial spaces is critical for Lake Sturgeon spawning and recruitment success.

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Dumont et al. (2011) and Kerr et al. (2011) listed nine other spawning areas that were successfully improved (Saint-Maurice River, Saint-Francois River, Ouareau River, Chaudière River and Eastmain River in Quebec; Manistee River in Michigan; Ottawa River in Ontario; and Wolf and Fox rivers in Wisconsin). A site constructed at the Beauharnois GS tailbay on the St. Lawrence River proved unsuccessful as periphyton (algae) quickly colonized the substrate. Construction of spawning reefs downstream of Pointe du Bois on the Winnipeg River, MB has had mixed results. Placement of several structures in a variety of flow conditions showed that site selection by sturgeon may be more related to hydraulic conditions (i.e., water velocity, turbulence, proximity of staging area) than substrate. A spawning area for Lake Sturgeon has been included in the design of the Keeyask GS powerhouse tailrace on the Nelson River. Cobble and boulders substrates are being placed on the periphery of the tailrace in areas where suitable velocities for Lake Sturgeon spawning will occur when two to ten units are in operation.

Kerr et al. (2011) reviewed the existing literature on the effectiveness of artificial Lake Sturgeon spawning sites at improving spawning success and offered the following list of criteria for the creation of successful spawning beds:

 Current velocities ranging from 0.1 - 1.5 m/s;  Substrate composed of coarse cobble and rubble;  Water depths ranging from 1.0 - 5.0 m;  Substrate thickness of at least 0.3 m;  Maintenance of sediment-free interstitial spaces;  Distance of staging areas from spawning site should be less than 3 km; and  Current breaks are important.

Kerr et al. (2011) stated that “while the construction of new or enhanced spawning grounds has proven somewhat successful, their use by sturgeon depends on a suitable water discharge regime to not only provide suitable incubation conditions but also to keep the substrate clean of silt and sediment”.

Enhancement targeting juvenile habitat may also be beneficial but is as yet untested. Enhancement of juvenile habitat in Gull Lake on the Nelson River, MB has been proposed as a contingency mitigation strategy for the Keeyask Generation Project. 5.3.2 Flow Management

Hydroelectric developments often manipulate river flows to maximize power output. In some cases, changes to the flow regime have been considered detrimental to Lake Sturgeon life history requirements. Flows have been manipulated for the benefit of sturgeon in several jurisdictions, including Michigan (Pickett Creek Dam, Sturgeon River [Auer 1996]), Idaho (Libby Dam on the Kootenai River

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[Paragamian and Wakkinen 2011]) and Ontario (Kakabeka Falls GS, Kaministiquia River [Friday 2006b]). Flow manipulation can be done to improve spawning conditions and larval drift, and to attract adult sturgeon to move upstream to suitable spawning sites. 5.3.3 Defragmentation

Construction of dams has fragmented Lake Sturgeon habitats and can isolate populations from habitats that are critical for certain life stages. Impacts can sometimes be remediated by removing the barrier or by providing passage by the barrier.

5.3.3.1 Barrier Removal

Lake Sturgeon are generally associated with large riverine habitats. Construction of dams on rivers can block movements of Lake Sturgeon between habitats critical for specific life history stages. Removing barriers to movement can restore connectivity between habitats. Barrier removal to reconnect habitats has been successfully conducted in the Red River in Minnesota/North Dakota and in Wisconsin, USA. In some cases existing barriers were placed on natural barriers to fish movement and likely had limited effects on fish movement. Removing barriers can have significant impacts on existing habitats and often leads to dewatering of upstream impoundments. Such changes can have substantial effects on other fish species.

5.3.3.2 Fish Passage

Where Lake Sturgeon habitat has been fragmented by dams, providing fish passage often is one of the first mitigation measures explored. However, there are very few examples where volitional Lake Sturgeon passage by existing dams has been provided or where it has been shown to be beneficial to the population. At a workshop conducted to examine methods of enhancing Lake Sturgeon passage at hydroelectric facilities on the Great Lakes, Coscarelli et al. (2011) noted:

“…the design, development, and implementation of structures that pass lake sturgeon around hydroelectric facilities are comparatively lacking. More specifically, very few solutions for accomplishing successful upstream and downstream sturgeon passage have been tested through a systematic examination of variation in physical stream conditions and technical modifications that best interact with the complex behavior of migrating adults, juveniles, and larvae.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has recently taken an alternative approach for moving sturgeon past a dam. Beginning in 2011, the Department in association with a local First Nation has captured sturgeon below a dam and moved them upstream, where they are now spawning

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(http://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/2013/08/namao.htm). Their plan calls for catching and moving up to 100 fish annually. A similar plan has been developed as contingency mitigation for the Keeyask Project, although the commitment to proceed will depend on data generated during monitoring programs and consultation with DFO.

Simply providing the opportunity for fish to pass an obstruction does not fully mitigate the impacts of fragmentation. There also needs to be consideration of the habitats into which fish are passed, and for what purpose. Downstream passage can be facilitated by the provision of more fish-friendly turbines or spilling. However, the logistics of safely passing all life stages past a dam can be problematic. Much additional research needs to be conducted in this area before it will be feasible on the Nelson River.

5.4 Research

While research doesn`t directly contribute to recovery and protection of Lake Sturgeon stocks, it provides important information with regard to mitigation options, where and when they should be directed, and the potential success of those options. Research can be costly and often requires many years of effort to yield significant results. It should be noted that a significant amount of information on Lake Sturgeon was collected on the lower Nelson River in relation to the proposed Conawapa Project and has not been analyzed in a form that would be presented in an Environmental Impact Statement. Some of these data would have value in addressing some of the research questions that may arise in the Nelson River reaches downstream of Kettle GS. 5.4.1 Inventory

Research efforts can simply be directed at determining what life stages are present and where. Inventories can be the first step in monitoring and can provide an understanding of where, when and what type of mitigation efforts should be directed. Inventories can also be directed at habitat classification and quantification. 5.4.2 Life History

Research into specific life history requirements provides information that can be used to target mitigation or enhancement at specific life stages. For example, understanding the specific life history requirements of juvenile Lake Sturgeon will inform potential mitigation strategies directed at this life stage. Similarly, gaining a better understanding of spawning habitat requirements will inform potential spawning habitat enhancements.

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5.4.3 Modeling

Modeling uses observed information to explain something that cannot be directly measured. While direct measurement of outcomes under controlled conditions will always be more reliable than modelled estimates of outcomes, modeling is useful when it is either impractical to create a suitable experiment to observe an outcome or where an outcome needs to be predicted in advance. For example, a population model may use known information on population size, reproduction and harvest to predict what will happen to a population under a known harvest level.

Population modeling can be used to establish population goals and sustainable harvest targets. It also can be used to understand the effects of mortality, and how habitat manipulations or mitigation measures can benefit sturgeon. However, outputs from models are only as good as the inputs or known information. Meaningful modeling results require reliable data on mortality, growth, abundance, survival, etc. 5.4.4 Traditional Knowledge

Knowledge is the condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience (Bielawski 1992). Every society has a “local knowledge base” that has been built up through life experiences such as observation, instruction or spiritual teachings, and all societies strive to apply this knowledge to explain how the natural world behaves. In First Nation culture, this knowledge of the natural environment, as well as cultural knowledge, is collected and passed on through generations.

Historically, the survival of northern Aboriginal peoples depended on their knowledge, their special relationship with the environment and their ways of organizing themselves and their values. Traditionally, some of this knowledge centred on Lake Sturgeon. It is important to link this long term historical knowledge of pre-impact conditions with science-based management to provide an understanding of how Lake Sturgeon populations have adapted to current conditions. Traditional Knowledge also provides links to traditional cultural values and can foster interest in conservation measures.

One of the biggest problems with the integration of local and Traditional Knowledge (TK) into existing institutions is its rapid disappearance. An erosion of TK has occurred due to the rapid assimilation of peoples into Western culture and the loss of family traditions allowing elders to pass on the knowledge to younger generations (Johnson 1992). Additionally, major ecological disturbances such as hydroelectric development have had substantial impact on local knowledge by obliterating reference points and the resources upon which it is based (Wavey 1993). The most urgent problem with documenting local knowledge is the passing of elders as orally-based knowledge systems lost this way cannot be retrieved.

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Given the time constraints, collection of TK should be seen as a priority. It is important to understand historical distributions, what has happened to populations, and why. It can also be used in educational programs to garner interest in sturgeon, gain support for programs, and for fostering cultural values. Local knowledge can corroborate scientific results and strengthens the overall knowledge base.

Traditional or local ecological knowledge is also useful in a contemporary sense. This type of knowledge is adaptive and management and harvesting practices can evolve around the existing social structure. Social mechanisms behind these evolving practices include a number of adaptations for generation, accumulation and transmission of knowledge including the use of local institutions to provide leaders/stewards and rules for social regulation, mechanisms for cultural internalization of traditional practices and the development of appropriate world views and cultural values (Berkes et al. 2000). Co-operative knowledge collection incorporating local traditional knowledge and values could be considered by the KSNC for all data gathering and stewardship planning exercises.

5.5 Protection

A simple and effective conservation measure for Lake Sturgeon populations is protection. Protection can focus on habitats or individual fish. 5.5.1 Recommendations

Rather than taking a regulatory route, Lake Sturgeon protection can occur via recommendations. Based on the best information available, recommendations can be made with regard to:

 Total harvest (quota);  Size of fish harvested;  Locations of harvest; and  Timing of harvest (season).

For example, in an effort to protect the Landing River spawning run, the Nelson River Sturgeon Co- Management Board instituted a voluntary ban of sturgeon fishing on a 10 km reach of river extending 5 km upstream and downstream of the Landing River during the spawning season (a year round conservation closure was implemented in 1994 and remains in effect). Similarly, the NRSB recommended that families limit their annual harvests to a set amount. Size recommendations can be effective in ensuring that large females are returned to the water to increase reproductive potential. Seasonal recommendations can avoid harvesting during spawning when sturgeon are concentrated.

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5.5.2 Regulations

Where recommendations fail or are insufficient, regulations can be pursued that legally limit who is harvesting (licensing), harvest amounts (quotas), timing and/or locations. Regulatory measures must be pursued in consultation with government. A year-round conservation closure has been adopted for the Landing River area of the Nelson River and on the Winnipeg River.

According to the Manitoba Lake Sturgeon Management Strategy (MCWS 2012):

“Conservation Closures must meet the test defined in Sparrow (1990), and must impose the minimal possible restriction on the right to fish. Since Conservation Closures directly infringe on constitutionally-protected Aboriginal and Treaty rights, Crown consultation is normally necessary prior to imposing a closure. Conservation Closures are considered a management tool of last resort. They are used in situations where the alternative regulatory tools available are considered inadequate and where the management of the stock requires additional protection. Conservation Closures can also be applied when a First Nation or community expresses concerns about the status of stocks in a locally important area and requests that the closure be put in place.”

5.6 Education

Educational activities can be used to garner interest in Lake Sturgeon, inform resource users of limitations and what they can do to conserve Lake Sturgeon, and to increase support for conservation and management measures. The following are examples of educational initiatives that have been used elsewhere. 5.6.1 Presentations to Youth/Resource Users/Community Members

Presentations are an effective way to get information directly into a community and can be done at community meetings, feasts, workshops, in schools and band meetings. At one time, the NRSB had a dedicated paid employee responsible for making presentations in schools. The employee was paid through funding provided to the Board. 5.6.2 Brochures and Reports

Brochures are an effective method to convey information to community members who wish to process the information on their own time. Brochures have been produced by the SRSMB and the NRSB and are commonly used in other jurisdictions as well. Distribution of annual reports can inform communities of committee activities.

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5.6.3 Website and Social Media

A website is an effective method of sharing information with Committee members as well as with the public. Both the SRSMB and the NRSB operate websites (www.nelsonriversturgeon.ca and www.saskriversturgeon.ca). Social media could also be used to distribute information and generate interest, particularly with youth. 5.6.4 Videos

Video links (e.g., YouTube) can be displayed on many websites and provide virtual hatchery tours and information on the process of gamete collection and sturgeon rearing. Other sturgeon groups have developed intensive educational videos that can be delivered either by classroom teachers or visiting educators. One group wrote a book and produced a video about the community’s connection to sturgeon with the participation of local high school students. 5.6.5 Sturgeon in the Schools

Young-of-the-year sturgeon have been provided to schools to raise in aquaria. The program includes educational material and is geared toward generating interest in and ownership of the resource. The students can also be involved in the release of the fish back into the wild.

Another website-based tool that has been used with success in other jurisdictions is called ‘Adopt a Sturgeon’, or ‘Where’s my Sturgeon?’. In these programs, students “adopt” marked sturgeon that are being released to the wild and are able to monitor via the web where those sturgeon are located as they are tracked. The program has the potential for students to keep track of an individual sturgeon over many years.

5.7 Public Engagement

Engaging the public in Lake Sturgeon conservation efforts not only assists the efforts but also generates support for the cause.

To better engage youth/community members/resource users with the concerns surrounding Lake Sturgeon, as well as conservation and mitigation strategies, ‘hands-on’ events may offer the most benefit. For example, stocking events are well attended in northern First Nation communities. Hatchery tours are another viable opportunity to engage a large audience and provide a hands-on experience. Hatchery tours and stocking release events can be oriented towards family participation and generally benefit from the attendance of local biologists for question and answer opportunities.

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There are several examples where stocking events in Manitoba have been well attended, including those at the Burntwood River (stocking associated with the Keeyask Project), and Norway House (stocking associated with the Nelson River Sturgeon Board’s efforts at the Landing River) in 2014.

Another hands-on exercise that has great potential for increasing awareness and involvement in sturgeon conservation is having resource users participate in brood stock collection. Interested community members also can be brought in to spawning sites to observe egg/milt collection and egg fertilization.

The NRSB has been involving community members in spawn collection since 1992. Resource users have been hired annually to collect brood stock and conduct population estimates. Since 2012, interested parties have been flown into the Landing River spawn taking site to observe the egg/milt collection and egg fertilization procedures. In relation to the Keeyask Project, spawn collection at the Burntwood River in 2013 and in the Nelson River in 2014, involved resource users for spawn camp set up, collection of brood stock, collection of eggs/milt and fertilization of eggs.

In other jurisdictions, highly visible groups have been effective at achieving their objectives. For example, in Wisconsin, the “sturgeon patrol”, a volunteer organization responsible for guarding sturgeon on spawning sites, is well-known for their efforts. The “sturgeon patrol” has created their own hats and pins, and has put on events aimed at increasing awareness of illegal sturgeon harvest in their areas.

Annual dinners or feasts, combined with presentations, can be a good way to engage the public, as well as, fundraise for non-profit-groups.

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6.0 KSNC VISION AND GOALS

6.1 KSNC Vision

“KSNC is a voice for the sturgeon and the future.” Gilbert Beardy, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (while presenting his group’s vision for KSNC)

“Working together to conserve sturgeon for future generations”

“Mamawi ahtoshehmitowin - namao kakekeh” or “Working together - sturgeon forever”

6.2 KSNC Priorities and Goals

As part of their consultation process, the KSNC established the following priorities for achieving their vision:

 Gathering Information – Community/Traditional Knowledge;

 Sharing Our Message – Educating our communities;

 Bringing Communities Together – Building cohesiveness;

 Engaging Youth – educating and involving the sturgeon stewards of the future;

 Conserving and Enhancing the Lake Sturgeon Population; and

 Increasing KSNC Functionality.

These priorities were used to establish short and long term goals for the KSNC Stewardship Plan.

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A goal is defined as a desired result or end point. To achieve these endpoints, the KSNC will rely on Traditional Knowledge to guide their work. It is expected that scientific knowledge and methods will be complimentary and that all knowledge will be respected. Involvement and education of youth will be at the forefront. Emphasis will be put on undertakings that will lead to the success of Lake Sturgeon conservation measures implemented by the KSNC and other organizations. Efforts of the Committee will focus on spreading a conservation message and on building consensus and cohesiveness between communities. 6.2.1 Short-Term Goals (1-3 years)

The short-term goals of the KSNC for completion within the next three years are: To gather information and develop a message:  The Committee will gather existing information and develop a message to educate and motivate communities to preserve and enhance Lake Sturgeon populations. To spread our message:  The committee will direct effort to spread the conservation message to community members. To increase functionality of KSN Committee:  The committee will work toward creating conditions such that the functionality of the Committee is increased. 6.2.2 Medium-Term Goals

The medium-term goals of the KSNC for completion in the next five years are: To bring communities together:  The Committee will organize events that will bring communities together in relation to Lake Sturgeon conservation initiatives. To engage youth:  The Committee will engage youth in the communities to foster interest in sturgeon and to groom the sturgeon stewards of the future. 6.2.3 Long Term Goal (5 + years)

The long-term goal of the KSNC is:

To achieve community commitment to sturgeon conservation.  Over the life of this Stewardship Plan the KSNC aims to have communities in agreement and committed to actions and methods that will promote responsible harvesting and aid in Sturgeon conservation, therefore enhancing the population.

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7.0 KSNC PRIORITIES AND STEWARDSHIP STRATEGIES

The initial emphasis of the KSNC will be on sharing information and education. As information is generated and disseminated the KSNC will advocate for measures that directly help to conserve and enhance stocks.

The following stewardship strategies were selected at the KSNC meeting in February 2016, and are listed in order of priority. It is expected that these strategies will be used as a guide to select programs for implementation in annual work plans. Several of the strategies, focusing on Traditional Knowledge, information sharing and youth, are overlapping.

It has been suggested by members of the KSNC that a “coproduction” approach be considered for implementation of stewardship strategies. Such an approach brings together local and traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge and transforms community members from being mere participants to leading the generation of information for implementation and evaluation. This is an approach that the committee can explore as it selects, develops and implements its stewardship strategies. It is also an approach that the KSNC can advocate for in research and monitoring activities conducted by other groups and organizations.

7.1 Gather Information and Traditional Knowledge and Develop a Conservation Message

The KSNC will:

 Gather Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge on Lake Sturgeon from elders, resource users, youth and community members  Compile existing research, studies and reports to establish a comprehensive repository of information on Lake Sturgeon;  Strive to remain informed on the most up-to-date monitoring and research results from the Nelson River;  Develop a message with regard to conservation of lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon; and  Advocate for research and monitoring to be undertaken by other groups to expand our understanding of Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River.

Community Traditional Knowledge will be at the forefront of decision making within the KSNC. However, as time passes the transfer of TK from elders to youth has diminished. The KSNC will direct efforts at collecting TK in the short term before it is lost and at transferring this knowledge to youth in order to foster interest in Lake Sturgeon and their conservation efforts. As the committee values a balanced approach, the TK will be used to corroborate historical commercial data and scientific data,

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and will strengthen existing information on Lake Sturgeon in the lower Nelson River. It was suggested to the Committee that members develop close relationships with elders to gain wisdom and to facilitate decision making. Offerings and ceremonies would also benefit the process and foster strong KSNC- community relationships.

The transfer of TK can be facilitated by bringing elders and youth together. Documenting TK, including historical habitats and exploitation, and how populations have changed over time, will be important. Such knowledge will help the KSNC, community members and resource managers to better understand how sturgeon were depleted and how to help them recover. Collection of TK could be led by youth, university graduate students or a combination of the two.

Review of scientific information could be done by a working group made up of committee members. It was suggested during the review process that a series of maps showing the key rapids, spawning areas and sequence of hydroelectric development including reservoir creation would help community members understand how development of the river has proceeded. A good understanding of how the river has changed over time in response to development is important for understanding and placing both the ATK and genetics in proper context. The timing of dam construction and the location of each dam, in relation to rapids habitat are key aspects of habitat alteration regardless of the pre-development scientific information available for the affected reaches. Figures that depict the sequential changes would be informative.

As discussed in section 7.2 production of a book and/or audiobook of personal sturgeon stories (from the past and present) could be considered. The information and knowledge that is collected will be used to form and support the KSNC’s message and will be shared through presentations in the communities, brochures and handouts, and made available on a future website.

The annual Committee report, as required in Provision 14 in the Committee Terms of Reference (Appendix 1) is also to be distributed publically and will act to inform community members about Committee activities.

The KSNC will develop a repository of available information on Lake Sturgeon in the lower Nelson River and, if relevant, elsewhere in the world. It will also strive to remain informed of the most up to date research and monitoring results from the Nelson River. This may require having guests attend KSNC meetings to present information. Where necessary, the Committee will also advocate for research and monitoring activities to increase our understanding of Lake Sturgeon on the Nelson River. The Committee will use the existing information from ATK, research and monitoring to develop a Lake Sturgeon conservation message to be shared with the communities. The KSNC will communicate the importance of harvests in conservation management. Harvest recommendations advocated by the KSNC

June 2016 68 KSNC Stewardship Plan are more likely to receive a positive response if the concept is presented by a community member rather than an outsider. The KSNC could develop a list of principles for development on the Nelson River and/or for management of Lake Sturgeon. The principles should reflect the vision and goals of the Board.

7.2 Share our message

The KSNC will:

 Use a variety of media and organize events to spread the Committee message of sturgeon conservation.

The KSNC sees informing stakeholders as one of its primary objectives and will rely heavily on this strategy to build cohesiveness within the communities to support Lake Sturgeon conservation. This strategy in combination with bringing communities together (Section 7.3) and youth involvement (Section 7.4) will serve to engage the general public and resource managers.

The KSNC will consider the following activities to engage all members of the community:

 Giving presentations on Lake Sturgeon issues and conservation at community open houses, public forums and community/band meetings. Presentations could be made by representatives of the KSNC. The KSNC could look at having a dedicated paid employee responsible for making presentations in schools;  Developing a website to store and share information. A website could outline the concerns surrounding existing Lake Sturgeon populations in the Nelson River, provide information on committee activities, provide results of programs, and act as a store for relevant information. The contact information (names and telephone numbers) for KSNC members could be made available on the website. Pictures and video uploads to the site would provide a better understanding of specific mitigation measures (e.g., pictures of spawning structures, hatchery, etc.). Video links (e.g., YouTube) that provide virtual hatchery tours and information on the process of gamete collection and sturgeon rearing also could be displayed. A paid community member may be required to keep the website updated;  Websites are only valuable if people visit them. Therefore, additional promotional materials such as posters and pamphlets could be developed for distribution around the community (e.g., coffee shops, gas stations). More creative avenues could include the distribution of promotional items (e.g., clothing articles, key chains, stickers, etc.) clearly displaying the committee logo, tag line and website address;  If resources are limited, a calendar may be an effective way to serve as both poster and pamphlet. Each month could be used to highlight either a unique life history characteristic of the Lake Sturgeon, a biological study being conducted on the population, a proposed mitigation measure,

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a traditional use, ATK, a population stressor, or a community member committed to sturgeon conservation. Aesthetically pleasing photos with limited text and inclusion of a group logo and website address for each month’s display could go a long way in promoting awareness of the Lake Sturgeon recovery program. Calendars could be distributed at community presentations and related events, offered for free by supportive local businesses, and given to school children; and  Information should be translated so all can understand.

7.3 Bring Communities Together

The KSNC will:

 Organize events that will bring communities together in relation to Lake Sturgeon conservation initiatives.

Bringing people together in their community and brining multiple communities together is an important step in building a common approach to Lake Sturgeon conservation. The KSNC will look to stage events that will allow communities to share information on sturgeon. It is envisioned that the events would be inclusive of all people (men, women, youth, elders), would build trust and would involve working together towards solutions.

The following types of events could be considered:

Local workshops:

 Where individuals and communities could share information on TK, contemporary sturgeon knowledge and harvesting information. These workshops could also include input from the scientific community where results of monitoring and mitigation programs could be shared. The workshops would be seen as an opportunity to keep communities informed and to bring them up to speed on the progress of conservation efforts.

Summer gathering:

 Of elders and youth on the river that would facilitate the transfer of knowledge and allow youth to learn about the unique life cycle of Lake Sturgeon and the importance of protecting the existing populations along with traditional and sustainable ways to catch, clean and cook sturgeon. This could operate similar to Goose Camps run by some of the First Nations. It is anticipated that this will foster an interest in sturgeon and their preservation.

Community feast:

 To celebrate lake sturgeon and other traditional foods, and bring awareness to the issue of conservation.

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Forums:

 For elders, youth, adults, and workers to discuss sturgeon issues as they arise.

Community field trips:

 To traditional fishing sites, monitoring locations, or a hatchery.

Local or social media could be used to share information on Lake Sturgeon and to inform community members of events (as per Section 7.2) Consultation and/or coordination, where appropriate, with relevant Resource Management Boards and the NRSB also is seen as important and could be incorporated into some of the above.

7.4 Engage Youth

The KSNC will:

 Engage youth through special projects, scholarships, apprenticeship programs, field trips, and camps; and  Advocate for training of youth in research and monitoring undertaken by other groups.

Traditional lifestyles are disappearing and youth are becoming detached from the importance of Lake Sturgeon to their culture. Involvement of youth is seen as a critical component of KSNC activities. Communities have expressed a desire for youth to reconnect with their cultural traditions, including the importance of Lake Sturgeon. While current Lake Sturgeon resource users are the immediate target in awareness programs, long-term success of mitigation and management strategies work best if future resource users are included.

It is important for youth to be involved in the workshops and/or summer gatherings discussed above. The NRSB has successfully involved youth in stocking program releases. In addition to workshops and gatherings, youth could also be engaged through involvement in apprenticeship programs or scholarships. Apprenticeship programs could include hatchery skills, scientific field techniques or traditional lifestyles. Programs could focus on high school students or high school graduates with emphasis on a small number of individuals for a few weeks or months at a time. Consideration could be given to having non-voting youth participate on the Committee.

The KSNC could explore ways of having Lake Sturgeon incorporated into local schools. KSNC could examine the feasibility of developing material for delivery to local schools. Younger students could become involved through the development of educational games focusing on Lake Sturgeon. Elders or specialists could be brought into schools to give presentations. Employing a KSNC member to give

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presentations on a full-time basis could be considered. There also may be opportunities to involve youth in the collection of TK. A “sturgeon-in-schools” program, where YOY Lake Sturgeon are raised in school aquaria, has been conducted by both the NRSB and the SRSMB. The program could be backed- up by support materials and/or a visit by an elder. Similarly, field trips with elders could focus on the importance of sturgeon in traditional life styles or on collection of scientific data. The trips could target larger numbers of students for shorter durations. A video and/or a book about the communities’ connection to sturgeon could be produced with the participation of local high school students.

The KSNC should encourage and facilitate the transfer of knowledge within families (e.g., from elders to their grandchildren), as well as have elders teach traditional skills to youth in their community. The latter could be accomplished by hosting harvest camps where elders invite youth to their fishing areas (or trap line for trapping and hunting skills) to teach and practice traditional fishing skills for catching Lake Sturgeon and other fish.

7.5 Conserve and Enhance Population

The KSNC will:

The KSNC views its role primarily as an advocate for Lake Sturgeon in the Nelson River. The Committee will take a proactive approach to Lake Sturgeon conservation by promoting responsible harvesting. It will also promote community buy-in to sturgeon conservation. It does not view itself as a primary deliverer of scientific research and monitoring programs. However, where appropriate, it will advocate for enhancement and protection measures undertaken by other groups and for coproduction of those activities. The Committee will promote the merging of local and traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge and transforming community members from being mere participants to leading the generation of information for implementation and evaluation.

The KSNC views stocking as a potential method of enhancing and speeding stock recovery. However, prior to endorsing sturgeon stocking, the KSNC must ensure that suitable habitat is available and that proper protocols are followed. The KSNC will promote research into stocking methods and protocols and will work toward developing criteria and guidelines for stocking within the lower Nelson River. Initially, the KSNC will focus on educating its members on stocking methods and concerns. It will also consider creating a forum for sharing concerns within and between communities. The KSNC view spawn-taking and release events (if they occur) as opportunities to engage the public and foster interest

June 2016 72 KSNC Stewardship Plan in Lake Sturgeon conservation. Suggested priority areas for stocking include Split Lake, Limestone Reservoir, and Long Spruce Reservoir.

7.6 Increase KSNC Functionality

The KSNC will:

 Work toward completing a policy and procedures document and will develop and follow annual plans; and  Work toward increasing consistent participation by each participating community.

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8.0 WORK PLANNING PROCESS

The KSNC will meet every two months unless otherwise warranted or changes are deemed appropriate. Committee meetings will alternate between Winnipeg and either Thompson, Gillam or one of the First Nations communities party to the Agreement. Costs for First Nations or other Aboriginal groups to participate in KSNC meetings will be covered by Manitoba Hydro as outlined in Term 13 of the TOR. Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Sustainable Development will cover their own costs of participation. Materials to be discussed at Committee meetings will be distributed by the Committee chair at least one week in advance.

Meetings will focus on presentation of program results and discussion of proposed projects. Other meeting activities may include presentations by outside specialists or groups. Meeting notes will be recorded and distributed to Committee members under direction of the Chair within two weeks of the meeting date.

Core funding for projects will be provided by Manitoba Hydro on an annual basis. The ongoing fiscal management of core funding will be undertaken by Manitoba Hydro as part of its administrative support to the Committee. The Committee will develop a work plan and budget consistent with its mandate for submission to Manitoba Hydro prior to March 31 each year. Work plan activities will be selected by consensus and will be based on the goals and priority strategies outlined in the Stewardship Plan. Committee members will review, discuss and modify ideas, as appropriate, until all Committee members are comfortable with the proposed approach. If consensus is not reached, committee decisions will follow the procedure outlined in Section 10 of the TOR. Costs for research, monitoring and enhancement activities conducted by the Committee that are in excess of the core funding will be sourced by the Committee.

Working groups may be established by the Committee as necessary, to focus on specific issues of study or to implement specific projects on behalf of the Committee. Costs for participating in working groups will be included in the work plan and budget. The working groups will report to the Committee on a quarterly basis. Consideration should be given to scheduling of meeting topics to follow an annual cycle that is appropriate for planning and reporting purposes.

The work planning process will be revised on an ongoing basis as procedures are established.

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9.0 LITERATURE CITED

Aadland, L.P., T.M. Koel, W.G. Franzin, K.W. Stewart, and P. Nelson. 2005. Changes in fish assemblage structure of the Red River of the North. Pages 293-321 in J.N. Rinne, R.M. Hughes, and B. Calamusso, editors. Symposium on changes in fish community structures in large USA rivers. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 45, Bethesda, Maryland. AECOM Canada Ltd. 2009. Best Management Practices Guide for Waterpower Projects. A report prepared by AECOM Canada Ltd. for Ontario Waterpower Association. 80 pp. Aiken, J.K., M.D. Alperyn and C.A. McDougall 2013. Results of Assiniboine River Lake Sturgeon Investigations, 2013. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. Report #5928.13-04. 48 pp. Alberta Lake Sturgeon Recovery Team. 2011. Alberta Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan 2011-2016. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan No. 22. Edmonton, AB. 98 pp. Ambrose, K.M. and D.S. MacDonell. 2014. Results of the 2014 Spring Studies Focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Fox and Hayes Rivers. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report 5698. 14-03. 24 pp. Ambrose, K.M., C.A. McDougall, P.A. Nelson, L. Murray, and D.S. MacDonell. 2007. Results of the 2005 fish community investigations focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa study area. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 05-08. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 176 pp. Ambrose, K.M., L. Murray, P.A. Nelson, and D.S. MacDonell. 2008. Results of the 2006 fish community investigations focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa study area. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 06-09. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 217 pp. Ambrose, K.M., L. Murray, P.A. Nelson, and D.S. MacDonell. 2009. Results of the 2007 fish community investigations focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa study area. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 07-04. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 297 pp. Ambrose, K.M., D.J. Pisiak, P.A. Nelson, and D.S. MacDonell. 2010a. Results of the 2008 fish community investigations focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa study area. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 08-06. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 150 pp. Ambrose, K.M., D.J. Pisiak, and D.S. MacDonell. 2010b. Results of the 2009 fish community investigations focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa study area. Conawapa Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 09-05. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 107 pp. Auer, N.A. 1996. Response of spawning lake sturgeon to change in hydroelectric facility operation. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 125: 66-77.

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Auer, N.A. 1999: Population characteristics and movements of lake sturgeon in the Sturgeon River and Lake Superior. J. Great Lakes Res. 25: 282-293. Auer, N.N. [Ed.]. 2003. A Lake Sturgeon rehabilitation plan for Lake Sturgeon. Great Lakes Fish. Comm. Misc. Publ. 2003-02. Auer, N.A. and E.A. Baker. 2002: Duration and drift of larval lake sturgeon in the Sturgeon River, Michigan. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 18: 557-564. Barth, C.C. 2005. Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask study area, 2002. Keeyask Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 02-19. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 115 pp. Barth, C.C. 2011. Ecology, behavior, and biological characteristics of juvenile lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, within an impounded reach of the Winnipeg River, Manitoba, Canada. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Manitoba, Department of Biological Sciences, Winnipeg, MB. 206 pp. Barth, C.C. and K.M. Ambrose. 2006. Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask study area, 2004. Keeyask Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 04-05. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 91 pp. Barth, C. C., and W. G. Anderson. In press. Factors influencing spatial distribution and growth of juvenile Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817). Accepted: Canadian Journal of Zoology. Barth, C.C. and J.E. MacDonald. 2008. Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask study area, 2005. Keeyask Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 05-05. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 50 pp. Barth, C.C. and D.S. MacDonell. 1999. Lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon spawning study, Weir River, 1998. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 59 pp. Barth, C.C. and N.J. Mochnacz. 2004. Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Gull (Keeyask) study area, 2001. Gull (Keeyask) Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 01-14. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 130 pp. Barth, C.C., S.J. Peake, P.J. Allen, and W.G. Anderson. 2009. Habitat utilization of juvenile lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in a large Canadian river. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 25(2): 18-26. Barth, C.C., W.G. Anderson, S.J. Peake, and P. Nelson. 2013. Seasonal variation in the diet of juvenile lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in the Winnipeg River, Manitoba, Canada. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 29: 721-729. Beamish, F.W.H., D.L.G. Noakes, and A. Rossiter. 1998: Feeding ecology of juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Northern Ontario. Can. Field. Nat. 112: 459-468. Benson, A.C.; T.M. Sutton, R.F. Elliot, and T.G. Meronek. 2005: Seasonal movement patterns and habitat preferences of age-0 lake sturgeon in the Lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 134: 1400-1409. Benson, A.C., T.M. Sutton, R.F. Elliott and T.G. Meronek. 2006. Biological attributes of age-0 lake sturgeon in the lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 22: 103-108. Berkes, F., J. Colding and C. Folke. 2000. Rediscovery of traditional knowledge as adaptive management. Ecological Applications. Vol. 10, No. 5 (October 2000): 1251-1262.

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Friday, M.J. 2006b. Spawning Habitat Enhancement through Flow Manipulation. Proceedings of the 2006 Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon Coordination Meeting. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/sturgeon/documents/2006-oralabstracts.htm. Gessner, J., Kamerichs, C.M., Kloas, W., and Wuertz, S. 2009. Behavioural and physiological responses in early life phases of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill 1815) towards different substrates. J. Appl. Ichthyology, 25(Suppl. 2): 83–90. Golder Associates Ltd. 2011. Recovery Strategy for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) – Northwestern Ontario, Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence River and Southern Hudson Bay-James Bay populations in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. vii + 77 pp. Gosselin, T., P.A. Nelson, C.A. McDougall, and L. Bernatchez. 2014. Population Genomics of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Nelson and Hayes Rivers. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by IBIS, Département de Biologie Université Laval, QC and North/South Consultants Inc.,Winnipeg, MB. Harkness, W.J.K. and J.R. Dymond. 1961: The lake sturgeon. Ontario. Department of Lands and Forests, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Haxton, T. 2003: Movement of lake sturgeon, (Acipenser fulvescens), in a natural reach of the Ottawa River. Can. Field. Nat. 117: 541-545. Haxton, T.J. and C.S. Findlay. 2008: Variation in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) abundance and growth among river reaches in a large regulated river. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 65: 645-657. Hay-Chmielewski, E.M. 1987. Habitat preferences and movements patterns of the lake sturgeon in Black Lake, Michigan. Master’s thesis. University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, Michigan. Hay-Chmielewski, E.M. and G.E. Whelan. 1997. Lake sturgeon rehabilitation strategy; Lake Sturgeon committee report. Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Fisheries Division special report 18. 52 pp. Hayes, D. B., and D. C. Caroffino, editors. 2012. Michigan’s lake sturgeon rehabilitation strategy. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 62, Lansing. Henderson, L. M. 2011. Larval drift characteristics, habitat use and environmental determinants of year- class strength in wild age-0 Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) within a large impounded river. MSc Thesis. University of New Brunswick. 101p. Henderson, L. and D.J. Pisiak. 2012. Keeyask Project: Results of young-of-the-year and sub-adult Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask study area, spring and fall 2011. Gull (Keeyask) Project Environmental Studies Program Report # 11-04. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 46 pp. Henderson, L. M., C.C Barth, J.E. MacDonald and M. Blanchard. 2011. Young-of-the-year and Sub- adult Lake Sturgeon Investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, 2010. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 48 pp. Report # 5421.10-07 Henderson, L.M., C.A. McDougall, and D.S. MacDonell. 2014a. Results of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Monitoring in the Slave Falls Reservoir – Fall, 2013. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 94 pp. #5835.13-01

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Henderson, L.M., P.A. Nelson, and C.C. Barth. 2014b. Results of the 2013 Fish Community Investigations Focusing on Lake Sturgeon in the Conawapa Study Area. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. Manitoba, Canada. As part of the Environmental Studies Program. #5692, 13-05. Henderson, L.M., C.C. Barth and C.L. Hrenchuk. 2015. Results of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Population Monitoring, Fall 2014. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. Winnipeg, MB. Keeyask AEMP Report #5464.14-03. 61 pp. 11-04. Holey, M.E., E.A. Baker, T.F. Thuemler and R.F. Elliot. 2000. Research and assessment needs to restore lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Fishery Trust Workshop. Muskegon, Michigan. Holm, J. and W.J. Bernhardt. 2011. Results of the 2006 fish community investigations in the Nelson River estuary. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 25 pp. Holm, J., K. Ambrose, and D.S. MacDonell. 2006. Conawapa Generation Project: results of the 2004 fish community investigations focusing on lake sturgeon. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 145 pp. Holtgren, J.M. and N.A. Auer. 2004. Movement and habitat of juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Sturgeon River/Portage Lake system, Michigan. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 19: 419- 432. Houston, J.J. 1987. Status of the lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in Canada. Can. Field Nat. 101: 171-185. Hrenchuk, C. L. and C.C. Barth. 2015. Results of Adult Lake Sturgeon Movement Monitoring in the Nelson River between Clark Lake and the Long Spruce Generating Station, October 2013 to October 2014. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc.142 p. #5463. 14-01. Hrenchuk, C.L. and C.A. McDougall 2012. Adult Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, 2011. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 167 pp. Hughes, T.C. 2002. Population characteristics, habitats and movements of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the lower Niagara River. M.Sc. Thesis. State University of New York, College of Brockport, Brockport New York. IRMA Inc. 2012. Conawapa Project and Shamattawa First Nation: Building Community Unity: An Opportunity to Explore Shamattawa Fisheries From a Scientific and Traditional Knowledge Perspective. A report through Shamattawa First Nation/Manitoba Hydro Conawapa Consultation. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). 2015. http://www.iucn.org. (Accessed August 25, 2015) Jackson, J.R., A.J. VanDeValk, T.E. Brooking, O.A. Vankeenen, and L.G. Rudstam. 2002. Growth and feeding dynamics of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in Oneida Lake, New York: results from the first five years of a restoration program. J. Appl. Ichthyol, 18: 439-443.

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Johnson, M. 1992. Research on traditional environmental knowledge: its development and its role. In: Lore, Capturing Traditional Environmental Knowledge. Johnson, M. ed. Dene Cultural Institute and International Development Research Centre. Johnson, J.H., S.R. LaPan, R.M. Klindt and A. Schiavone. 2006. Lake sturgeon spawning on artificial habitat in the St. Lawrence River. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 22: 465-470. Kempinger, J. J. 1988. Spawning and early life history of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system, Wisconsin. American Fisheries Society Symposium 5:111- 122. Kempinger, J.J. 1996. Habitat, growth, and food of young lake sturgeons in the Lake Winnebago system, Wisconsin. N. Am. J. Fish. Manage. 16: 102-114. Kerr, S. J., M. J. Davison, and E. Funnell. 2011. A review of lake sturgeon habitat requirements and strategies to protect and enhance sturgeon habitat. Fisheries Policy Section, Biodiversity Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 58 pp. + appendices. KSNC [Kischi Sipi Namao Committee]. 2015. Lake Sturgeon Workshop Report. February 24th – 26th, 2015. Thompson, Manitoba. 27 p. Klassen, C.N. 2012. Results of the 2011 Gods River Lake Sturgeon Spawning and Movements Investigations. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 32 pp. #5677.11-02. Klassen, C.N. 2014. Growth Rate and Size Variability among Juvenile Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens: Implications for Recruitment. PhD Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. 182 p. Knights, B.C., J.M. Vallazza, S.J. Zigler, and M.R. Dewey. 2002. Habitat and movement of lake sturgeon in the Upper Mississippi River system, USA. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 131: 507-522. Koga, E. 2014. Results of the 2013 Lake Sturgeon population studies on the Gods and Echoing rivers. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. Manitoba, Canada. As part of the Conawapa Environmental Studies Program. #5691, 13-04. Labadie, H. 2011. Growth patterns and movements of adult lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in a deep impounded river. M.Sc. Thesis, University of New Brunswick, Department of Biology, Fredericton, NB. 115 pp. Lacho, C. 2015. Results of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Monitoring in the Slave Falls Reservoir, 2014. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement AEMP Report#5842. 14-01. LaHaye, M.; M. Branchaud, M. Gendron, R. Vendon, and R. Fortin. 1992: Reproduction, early life history, and characteristics of the spawning grounds of the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Des Prairies and l’Assomption rivers, near Montreal, Quebec. Can. J. Zool. 70: 1681-1689. Lavergne, S.C. 2012. Lake Sturgeon spawning investigation in the Long Spruce forebay, spring 2012. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 27 pp. Lavergne, S.C. and C.C. Barth. 2012. Inventory of the Lake Sturgeon population in the Long Spruce forebay, September 2012. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 39 pp.

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Lord, K., 2007. Movements and habitat use of juvenile lake sturgeon in the North Channel of the St. Clair River. M. Sc. Thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.Lytwyn, V.P. 2002. Muskekowuck Anthinuwich. Original People of the Great Swampy Land. University of Manitoba Press. 289 p. Lytwyn, V.P. 2002. Muskekowuck Athinuwick: Original people of the great swampy land. Volume 12. Univ. of Manitoba Press. MacDonald, J.E. 2008. Lake Sturgeon Investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, 2006. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 95 pp. MacDonald, J.E. 2009. Lake Sturgeon Investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, 2007-2008. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 100 pp. MacDonald, J.E. and C.C. Barth. 2011. Lake Sturgeon Investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, Spring 2010. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 64 pp. MacDonell, D.S. 1992. Final results of lake sturgeon radio telemetry studies conducted on the lower Nelson River between 1986 and 1992. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 27 pp. MacDonell, D.S. 1995. Lower Nelson River Lake Sturgeon spawning study, Weir River – 1994. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 31 pp. MacDonell, D.S. 1997. The Nelson River lake sturgeon fishery from the perspective of the bayline communities of Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage, and Wabowden. MNRM Thesis. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. ix + 173 pp. MacDonell, D.S. 1998. Lower Nelson River lake sturgeon spawning study Weir River – 1997. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 61 pp. Malcom, and B. Bruederlin. 2009. Fish and fishing on the Assiniboine River in Re-discover Brandon’s Assiniboine River review: official newsletter of Brandon Riverbank Inc., Spring and Summer 2009. Mandzy, K., J. Bell, and D.S. MacDonell. 2015. Results of Lake Sturgeon egg deposition and larval drift monitoring below Pointe du Bois Generating Station, 2014. A Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement AEMP Report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 38 pp. #5843.14-02 Manitoba Hydro. 2012. Manitoba Hydro’s Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program. February, 2012. 40 pp. Manitoba Hydro. 2014. Regional cumulative effects assessment. Part IV Physical Environment. Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg, MB. 53 p. Manitoba Hydro. 2015. Lake Sturgeon in Manitoba – a summary of current knowledge, 2015. Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg, MB. 46 p. Manitoba Hydro-Split Lake Cree Joint Studies. 1996. History and first order effects: Manitoba Hydro projects and related activities in the Split Lake Cree study area. Split Lake Cree Post Project Environmental Review, Volume 2.

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Manny, B.A. and G.W. Kennedy. 2002. Known lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning habitat in the channel between lakes Huron and Erie in the Laurentian Great Lakes. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 18: 486-490. McDougall, C.A. 2011a. Investigating downstream passage of Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, through a Winnipeg River generating station. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. x + 175 pp. McDougall, C.A. 2011b. Results of juvenile Lake Sturgeon inventories in the Great Falls and Pine Falls reservoirs – Fall, 2011. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 46 pp. McDougall, C.A. and P.A. Nelson. 2015. Upper Nelson River juvenile Lake Sturgeon inventories, 2014: Sea Falls – Sugar Falls. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. Report # 5932.14-04. McDougall, C.A. and D.J. Pisiak. 2012. Results of a Lake Sturgeon inventory conducted in the Sea Falls to Sugar Falls reach of the Nelson River – Fall, 2012. A Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 46 pp. McDougall, C.A. and D. Pisiak. 2014. Upper Nelson River juvenile Lake Sturgeon inventories, 2013: Sea Falls – Sugar Falls and the Pipestone Lake area. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc. 91 pp #5923.13-01. McDougall, C.A., D.S. MacDonell, D.F. Hudd, and L. Murray. 2008a. Results of lake sturgeon studies in the Slave Falls Reservoir and Pointe du Bois forebay - 2007. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 234 pp. McDougall, C.A., P. Graveline, and D.S. MacDonell. 2008b. Preliminary investigations of lake sturgeon spawning and habitat utilization in the Slave Falls Reservoir and Pointe du Bois forebay - 2006. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 88 pp. McDougall, C.A., S.J. Peake, and W.G. Anderson. 2014a. Downstream passage of Lake Sturgeon through a Winnipeg River Generating Station: passage route determination, survival, and fine- scale movements. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 34(3): 546-558. McDougall, C.A., D.J. Pisiak, C.C. Barth, M.A. Blanchard, D.S. MacDonell and D. Macdonald. 2014b. Relative recruitment success of stocked age-1 vs age-0 lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) in the Nelson River, northern Canada. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 30(6): 1451-1460. MCWS (Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship). 2012. Manitoba lake sturgeon management strategy – 2012. Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, Fisheries Branch. 59 pp. Michaluk, Y. and J.E. MacDonald. 2010. Lake Sturgeon investigations in the Keeyask Study Area, 2009. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 83 pp. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Lake Sturgeon rehabilitation in the Kalamazoo River. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Fisheries Division. 8 p.

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2002. Appendix G - Restoration of extirpated lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Red River of the North watershed. MDNR Fisheries Division. 10 pp. Missouri Department of Conservation. 2000. Best Management Practices - Lake Sturgeon. 4/2000. 1 p. Missouri Department of Conservation. 2007. A plan for recovery of the Lake Sturgeon in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. 19 pp. Mosindy, T. S. and J. Rusak. 1991. An assessment of lake sturgeon populations in Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, 1987-90. Lake of the Woods Fisheries Assessment Unit Report 1991-01. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Kenora, Ontario. 66 pp. Mota, J. P. and D.S. MacDonell. 2008. Lower Hayes River – Fish Community Survey 2005 and 2006. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 88 pp. #5634.06-08. Nelson, P.A. and C.C. Barth. 2012. Abundance of Lake Sturgeon in the Keeyask Study Area: 1995 to 2011. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 36 pp. North/South Consultants Inc. 2012. Spawning Habitat Suitability Modeling at Pointe du Bois with an emphasis on Lake Sturgeon. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 26 pp + appendices. Paragamian, V.L. and V. D. Wakkinen. 2011. White sturgeon spawning and discharge augmentation. Fisheries Management and Ecology. 8 p. Patalas, J.W. 1988. The effects of commercial fishing on lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations in the Sipiwesk Lake area of the Nelson River, Manitoba, 1987-1988. MS Rep. No. 88-14, Fisheries Branch, Manitoba Department of Natural Resources, Winnipeg MB. 38 pp. Peterson, D., P. Vecsei, and C.A. Jennings. 2007. Ecology and biology of the lake sturgeon: a synthesis of current knowledge of a threatened North American Acipenseridae. Rev. Fish. Biol. Fisher. 17: 59-76. Pisiak, D.J. and B. MacLean. 2007. Population studies of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Fox River, Manitoba, Summer 2004. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba. 42 pp. Pisiak, D.J., L.T. Dolce Blanchard, and D.S. MacDonell. 2011. Results of the 2010 Fish community investigations focusing on lake sturgeon in the Conawapa Study Area. A report prepared for Manitoba Hydro by North/South Consultants Inc., Winnipeg, MB. 82 pp. Richardson, J. 1836. Fauna Koreali Americana, on the zoology of the northern parts of British America: part third, the fish. Richard Bentley, London, Engl and. 327p. Roseman, E.F., Manny, B., Boase, J., Child, M., Kennedy, G., Craig, J., Soper, K., and Drouin, R. 2011. Lake sturgeon response to a spawning reef constructed in the Detroit River. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 27: (Suppl. 2): 66-76. Rosenberg, D.M., P.A. Chambers, J.M. Culp, W.G. Franzin, P.A. Nelson, A.G. Salki, M.P. Stainton, R.A. Bodaly, and R.W. Newbury. 2005. Nelson and Churchill River Basins. P. 853-901, In. Ed. A. Benke and C. Cushing. Rivers of North America. Elsevier Academic Press. Amsterdam. 1144 p.

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Rusak, J.A., and T. Mosindy. 1997. Seasonal movements of lake sturgeon in the Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, Ontario. Can. J. Zool. 74: 383-395. Sandilands, A.P. 1987. Biology of the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Kenogami River, Ontario. Pages 33-46 In Proceedings of a workshop on the Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Ontario Technical Report Fisheries Series 23, Ontario. Saskatchewan River Sturgeon Management Board (SRSMB). 2002. Ten-Year management plan. A report prepared by North/South Consultants Inc. for the SRSMB. 86 pp. Saskatchewan River Sturgeon Management Board (SRSMB). 2014. Ten-Year management plan. A report prepared by North/South Consultants Inc. for the SRSMB. 57 pp. Schram, S. T., Lindgren, J., and Evrard, L. M. 1999. Reintroduction of Lake Sturgeon in the St. Louis River, Western Lake Superior. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19: 815-823. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1998. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Galt House Publications, Oakville, ON, Canada. 966 pp. Skaptason, J.B. 1926. The fish resources of Manitoba. Industrial Development Board of Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB. 43 pp. Smith, A.L. and D. Hobden. 2011. A synopsis of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) culture, marking, and stocking techniques. Biodiversity Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 36 pp. Smith, K.M and D.K. King. 2005a. Dynamics and extent of larval lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, drift in the Upper Black River, Michigan. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 21: 161-168. Smith, K.M., and D. King. 2005b. Movement and habitat use of yearling and juvenile lake sturgeon in Black Lake, Michigan. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 134: 1159-1172. Stelzer, R. S., H. G. Drecktrah, M. P. Shupryt, and R. M. Bruch. 2008. Carbon sources for lake sturgeon in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137(4): 1018- 1028. Stewart, D.B. 2009. Historical harvests of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) from western Canada. A report prepared for Fisheries and Oceans Canada by Arctic Biological Consultants, Winnipeg. 45 pp. Stone, L. 1900. The spawning habits of the Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser rubicundus). American Fisheries Society; Twenty-ninth Annual Meeting. 11 pp. Stone, L. 1901. Sturgeon hatching in the Lake Champlain basin. American Fisheries Society; Thirtieth Annual Meeting. pp. 137-142. Swanson, G.M., K.R. Kansas, and R.A. Remnant. 1988. A report on the fisheries resources of the lower Nelson River and the impacts of hydroelectric development, 1987 data. Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch Report No. 88-13, 295 pp. Swanson, G.M., K.R. Kansas, and S.M. Matkowski. 1990. A report on the fisheries resources of the lower Nelson River and the impacts of hydroelectric development, 1988 data. Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch Report No. 90-18. 260 pp.

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Swanson, G.M., K.R. Kansas, S.M. Matkowski, and P. Graveline. 1991. A report on the fisheries resources of the lower Nelson River and the impacts of hydroelectric development, 1989 data. Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch Report No. 91-03. 248 pp. Threader, R., and C.S. Brousseau. 1986. Biology and Management of the Lake Sturgeon in the Moose River, Ontario. N. Am. J. Fish. Manage. 6: 383-390. Thuemler, T.F. 1988. Movements of young lake sturgeons stocked in the Menominee River, Wisconsin. Am. Fish. Soc. Symp. 5: 104-109. Tody, W.H. 1974. Whitefish, sturgeon, and the early Michigan commercial fishery. In Michigan Fisheries Centennial Report 1873-1973. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI. Tody 1974 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon Collaboration. Lake Sturgeon biology and population history in the Great Lakes. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/sturgeon/biology.htm. (Accessed August 24, 2015) Wavey, W. 1993. International workshop on indigenous knowledge and community-based resource management: Keynote address. In: J.T. Inglis ed., Concepts and Cases, International Program on Traditional Ecological Knowledge. IDRC, Ottawa. Werner, R.G., and J. Hayes. 2005. Contributing factors in habitat selection by lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Unites States Environmental Protection Agency-Great Lakes National Program Office: GL97517201. 24 pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2000, Wisconsin’s Lake Sturgeon Management Plan. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection. October 2000. 12 pp. York Factory First Nation (YFFN). 2012. Kipekiskwaywinan. Our Voices. York Factory First Nation Speaks about the Keeyask Generation Project. York Factory First Nation. 132 pp. York Factory First Nation (YFFN). 2013. History, Land Use, Traditional Knowledge and Perspectives on Numao (Lake Sturgeon). York Factory First Nation. York Landing, MB.67 p.

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APPENDIX 1:

COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT

Committee Terms of Reference

1. SCOPE The Lower Nelson River Sturgeon Stewardship Committee (the Committee) is a committee of interested stakeholders committed to implementing measures to protect and enhance sturgeon populations in the Lower Nelson River from Kelsey Generating Station to Hudson Bay. Committee efforts focus on the Lower Nelson River and will include the Hayes River system (Hayes, Gods and Echoing rivers) and tributaries along the Nelson River that are important to these populations (see attached map). Committee activities will take into consideration the Lake Sturgeon Management Strategy for Manitoba being developed by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.

2. CORE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE The Committee will undertake a variety of core activities towards the protection and enhancement of sturgeon populations in the Lower Nelson River.

These include: a. Developing a Sturgeon Stewardship Plan that sets overall research, monitoring and enhancement measures, objectives and strategies for sturgeon protection and enhancement in the Lower Nelson River area for the immediate (1 to 3 years), medium (3 to 5 years) and long- term (greater than 5 years) future. b. Establishing research and monitoring priorities. c. Undertaking research and monitoring activities based on both Western science and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge to gain a better understanding of sturgeon populations in the Lower Nelson River, including information relative to the different life stages of lake sturgeon, habitat requirements, spawning and fish passage through generating stations. d. Undertaking protection and enhancement projects in the Lower Nelson River area. e. Creating a forum for the sharing of expertise, resources and capacity among the parties and, where applicable, other jurisdictions. This would include consultation and/or coordination, where appropriate, with relevant Resource Management Boards and the Nelson River Sturgeon Board. f. Working to create a comprehensive repository of available information on lake sturgeon in the Lower Nelson River and, if relevant, elsewhere in the world. g. Carrying out public education activities. h. Undertaking consultations regarding decisions about voluntary sturgeon harvest levels for member communities. i. Coordinating and providing advice, where appropriate, on research, enhancement and protection activities being undertaken by LNRSSA signatories and others outside of the Committee structure.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

j. Negotiating funding for research, monitoring and enhancement activities to be undertaken by the Committee. k. Establishing working groups, as necessary, to focus on specific issues of study or to implement specific projects on behalf of the Committee. l. Recommending management measures to government. m. Where appropriate, informing and communicating with federal and provincial governments, local First Nations and communities, and other potentially interested parties about the status of sturgeon in the Lower Nelson River and efforts underway to protect and enhance sturgeon populations in this area. n. Conducting any other activities the Committee determines necessary to achieve its scope.

3. COMMITTEE WORKING GROUPS From time to time, the Committee may create working groups to focus on specific management units and/or to undertake research, monitoring or enhancement activities on behalf of the Committee.

Working Group members will be selected by the Committee.

All activities undertaken by Working Groups will be subject to approval by the Committee.

Working Groups will report at least quarterly to the Committee on activities in the past three months and plans for the ensuing three months.

4. ROLE OF COMMITTEE IN ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN OUTSIDE OF COMMITTEE STRUCTURE In addition to Committee activities, it is expected that a number of other sturgeon-related research, enhancement and protection activities will be undertaken by LNRSSA signatories that are funded and implemented through bilateral and/or multilateral agreements and that may be undertaken as a result of regulatory requirements or existing programs and responsibilities. In these cases, project funding and implementation will be negotiated among the parties undertaking the activity and the parties will assume responsibility for securing the appropriate regulatory approvals. The Committee will be made aware of the projects and will be kept informed about progress and outcomes. Where appropriate, the Committee will assist in coordinating various activities. The Committee will not play a direct role in project approval or implementation unless specifically requested by the implementing parties. Examples of these types of activities include: • Projects specific to an individual project (e.g., a Keeyask-specific enhancement measure). • Projects linked to several Manitoba Hydro facilities, including proposed and existing generating stations (e.g. activities under Manitoba Hydro’s Lake Sturgeon Stewardship and Enhancement Program). • Projects undertaken by a First Nation on its own (e.g., Traditional Knowledge Projects). • Projects undertaken by another LNRSSA signatory or other external party on its own initiative.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

5. FUNDING FOR CORE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Manitoba Hydro will commit to provide the Committee with guaranteed core funding of $110,000 per year adjusted annually for inflation for the first twenty years of operation. The costs will be allocated amongst Keeyask, Conawapa and the existing stations on the Nelson River. The inflationary adjustment will be linked to the Consumer Price Index. The Committee will be required to provide Manitoba Hydro with an annual work plan and budget consistent with the Committee’s mandate before the core funding is released. Core funding is to be used by the Committee to undertake the activities outlined in Section 2 of its Terms of Reference. Core funding for the Committee will be renegotiated with Manitoba Hydro at the end of the 20- year term.

The ongoing fiscal management of core funding will be undertaken by Manitoba Hydro as part of providing administrative support to the Committee.

If the Committee wishes to undertake larger projects that meet its mandate, but exceed the available core funding, the Committee will be responsible for negotiating separate funding arrangements specific to the project in question from various funding sources.

Section 13 of the Committee Terms of Reference includes provisions for First Nations and other potential Aboriginal parties to be separately funded for their participation in the Committee.

6. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Committee membership will be drawn from the parties and will include:

- Voting members: Participate in formal Committee decisions if and as required. - Alternates: Participate in all meetings with the same privileges as voting members, but only participate in formal Committee decisions, including voting, if the voting member is not present. - Advisors: Participate in Committee meetings at the invitation of a respective party’s voting member. Do not participate in formal Committee decision-making. It is expected that an advisor will only attend a meeting if the corresponding voting member or alternate is present. However, a community/organization may request that an advisor attend without a corresponding voting or alternate member in exceptional circumstances (e.g., community funerals, inclement weather, etc.). Requests of this nature will be made to the Chair for approval as soon as possible prior to the meeting.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

For each party, the committee representation will be as follows:

Party Voting Member(s) Alternate(s) Advisor(s)

Manitoba Hydro 1 1 1

Tataskweyak Cree Nation 1 1 1

War Lake First Nation 1 1 1

York Factory First Nation 1 1 1

Fox Lake Cree Nation 1 1 1

Shamattawa First Nation 1 1 1

Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership 1 1 1

The parties will advise Manitoba Hydro (acting as the Committee’s Administrative Support) of their Voting Member(s), Alternate(s) and Advisor(s) prior to the first meeting of the Committee. There will be no term limits set for Committee Membership, but each party will be responsible for advising the Chair and Manitoba Hydro (acting as the Committee’s Administrative Support), in writing, of any changes in its Committee representation.

The parties may request that additional advisors and/or observers be able to attend a Committee meeting. This type of request will be made to the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair for joint approval at least three working days in advance of a Committee meeting. If the request for additional attendees is being made by the parties represented by the Chair and/or Vice-Chair, the decision will be sent to the Voting Members to ensure there are no objections. If there are objections, the decision-making process outlined in section 10 will apply.

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship (MCWS) will have one representative participate in the Committee as a non-voting member. This participation will include attending Committee meetings, providing information, and participating in Committee discussions.

From time to time, the Committee may also have its own advisors or working groups working on specific projects. These individuals/groups will be invited to attend Committee meetings by the Chair to provide updates on progress and to present project results.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

7. CHAIR & VICE-CHAIR A Committee Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected by the Committee at its first meeting and annually thereafter. The Chair and Vice-Chair will both be selected from among the Committee’s voting members.

The Chair will be responsible for the following activities: - Chairing Committee meetings. - Scheduling Committee meetings. - Working with Manitoba Hydro (acting as the Committee’s Administrative Support) to ensure the development and distribution of pre-meeting materials (agendas, background reading, etc.) and meeting notes.

The Vice-Chair will carry out these responsibilities in the absence of the Committee Chair.

8. MEETING FREQUENCY & LOCATION The Committee will meet every two months for at least the first two years following its initiation, unless otherwise warranted. At the end of this two year period, the Committee will evaluate current meeting frequency and make modifications, if deemed appropriate.

Committee meetings will alternate between Winnipeg and either Thompson, Gillam or one of the First Nations communities party to the Agreement.

9. MEETING PROCESS Materials to be discussed at Committee meetings will be distributed at least one week in advance by the Committee chair.

Meeting notes will be recorded and distributed to Committee members under direction of the Chair within two weeks of the meeting date.

10. DECISION MAKING Committee members commit that they will use best efforts to reach consensus decisions on all matters. This means that Committee members will review, discuss and modify ideas, as appropriate, until all Committee members are comfortable with the proposed approach. If, after several rounds of discussion, a question arises that all parties cannot agree upon and that they feel is appropriate to decide by vote, there will be a vote. Only voting members or their alternate(s) will be entitled to vote. In the event of a tie, further discussion on the matter will take place prior to a second vote. In these circumstances, the Committee will only proceed with the proposed course of action if a majority vote in favour.

Committee decisions that have the potential to impair the exercise of First Nation treaty and Aboriginal rights (e.g., sturgeon harvesting) will require the agreement of the affected parties before the Committee proceeds and will not be subject to a vote by the Committee. As well, any lobbying efforts to be undertaken by the Committee will only take place with the full consensus of Committee members.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

If the Committee is proposing to undertake a field-based activity in a Resource Management Area or a community-specific activity (e.g., local public information campaign), the Committee will only proceed with this activity if it has been reviewed with the respective Resource Management Board (where appropriate) and approved by Chief and Council of the relevant First Nation. This step will be required regardless of whether the relevant First Nation is a signatory to the Lower Nelson Sturgeon Stewardship Agreement.

In all cases, a decision will only be considered valid if a quorum of Committee members is present.

MCWS will not participate in the decision-making of the Committee, whether it be by consensus or by vote.

11. QUORUM A quorum will be had if at least 5 of the 7 voting members are present. A voting member’s alternate will be considered a voting member if the voting member is not present.

12. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION The Chair is generally responsible for external communication on behalf of the Committee; however Committee members may communicate within their organizations/communities about matters discussed in the Committee, except any information that is shared on a confidential basis. From time to time, Committee members other than the Chair may have an opportunity to speak publicly about the Committee. In these circumstances, the Committee member will seek permission of the Committee in advance.

13. COSTS FOR COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship will cover their own costs to participate in the Committee.

Reasonable costs for First Nation or other Aboriginal parties to participate in the Committee will be funded by Manitoba Hydro. On an annual basis, each First Nation or other Aboriginal party will submit to Manitoba Hydro a work plan and budget for Committee participation. It is anticipated that these annual work plans and budgets will cover participation of communities in the core Committee activities (see Section 2 and 5 of the Terms of Reference for more detail), as well as any reasonably expected activities to be undertaken by Committee working groups. Once Manitoba Hydro and a particular First Nation or other Aboriginal party have reached agreement on the work plan and budget, funds will be provided under a Contribution Agreement that Manitoba Hydro and the First Nation or other Aboriginal party will sign. In the event that the Committee and/or its working groups undertake activities that go well beyond what was reasonably anticipated, the First Nation or other Aboriginal party may negotiate additional funding with Manitoba Hydro.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

All funds will be reimbursed in accordance with Manitoba Hydro’s Future Development Reimbursement Policy. The costs will be allocated amongst Keeyask, Conawapa and the existing stations on the Nelson River.

14. REPORTING The Committee will report on an annual basis on its activities. This report will be prepared with the assistance of Manitoba Hydro’s Administrative Support and will be approved by all Agreement parties. The Report will be made publicly available.

15. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Manitoba Hydro will provide administrative support to the Committee. This will include providing staff to undertake the following activities: - Preparation of Committee meeting notes. - Fiscal administration. - Assistance with the development and distribution of meeting materials and annual reports.

16. AMENDMENT OF TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee may amend the Terms of Reference from time to time provided that all parties are in Agreement.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

Lower Nelson River Sturgeon Stewardship Committee

Sets overall objectives/goals for sturgeon protection & enhancement, coordinates related activities in the Lower Nelson and undertakes its own protection & enhancement measures

Tracks Progress & Terms of Approval to Tracks Progress Outcomes; Involved, Reference Proceed & Outcomes if requested Draft Work Inform & Regular Plans Progress Updates

Committee Working Activities of LNRSSA Groups Parties Committee Activities Undertake specific

activities as requested by Specific activities Undertake activities the Committee. Working undertaken by the through bilateral & multi- Group Members are Committee using either lateral agreements that chosen by the Committee core or other negotiated are consistent with the and all activities are funding. Sturgeon Stewardship Plan approved by the developed by Committee. Committee.

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LOWER NELSON RIVER STURGEON STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT: Committee Terms of Reference

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APPENDIX 2:

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES OF LAKE STURGEON STEWARDSHIP GROUPS

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The following is a list of some other sturgeon co-management and stewardship groups and the types of activities that they are involved in.

1. Nelson River Sturgeon Co-management Board

http://www.nelsonriversturgeon.ca/

 Information booth  Community-based presentations  In-school workshops  School aquariums  Release events  Meetings with FN representation and other stakeholders  Website  Pamphlets

Management

 Artificial propagation  Population monitoring

2. Saskatchewan River Sturgeon Management Board

http://www.saskriversturgeon.ca/

 School aquariums  Meetings with FN representation and other stakeholders  Website  Pamphlets  Posters  Videos

Management

 Artificial propagation  Population monitoring  Habitat assessment  Turn In Poachers (T.I.P.) program

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3. Sturgeon for Tomorrow (Wisconsin Chapters)

http://www.sturgeonfortomorrow.net/ Direct knowledge transfer

 Annual dinner  Website  Facebook page  Book, “People of the sturgeon: Wisconsin’s love affair with an ancient fish”

Management

 Sturgeon patrol at spawning sites (public volunteers)

4. Sturgeon for Tomorrow (St. Clair - Detroit River)

http://www.stclairsturgeon.org/page-index.html

 Monthly board meetings open to the public  Website  Facebook page  Newsletter

Management

 Distribute ‘Cooperator Patch’ to people that report the catch of a tagged sturgeon  Support on-going sturgeon research through membership fees

5. Sturgeon for Tomorrow (Kalamazoo)

http://kazoosturgeon.org/

 Annual dinner with live music  Release events o Blessing, music, kids fishing derby

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 Hatchery tours  Event booths  Community presentations  Volunteer opportunities on research projects (e.g., drift sampling)  Monthly board meetings  Website o Pictures & Videos  Facebook page  News - Blog  On-line shop (e.g., hats, t-shirts, sturgeon pins, etc.)

Management

 Artificial propagation  Habitat restoration project  Sturgeon patrol at spawning sites (volunteer based)

6. Sturgeon for Tomorrow (Black Lake, Michigan)

http://www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org/

 Annual dinner o Year in review video presented  Monthly board meetings open to the public  Hatchery tours o Researchers present to answer questions  Release events  Community presentations  Sturgeon research workshop for educators o Hands on experience to take back to the classroom and share with students  Development of sturgeon book & video o Collaboration between high school environmental studies class and Sturgeon for Tomorrow  Website o Videos (e.g., tagging, hatchery)  Newsletters/ E-news  Brochures

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 Interpretive signage  Community developed book & video about sturgeon

Management

 Committees o Habitat Conservation o Legislative/ Judicial o PR & Education o Research o Sturgeon Advisory Committee (SAC) . Identify management issues  Artificial propagation  Sturgeon patrol & ambassador program at spawning sites (volunteer based) o Hand out promotional items (e.g., hats, pins, etc.) at spawning site  Lake Sturgeon angling licenses  Lake Sturgeon harvest guidelines outlined for spear fishery o Mandatory registration of harvested sturgeon  Lake Sturgeon on-line observation report (http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/LSPO/)  $10 reward for return of tag

7. Upper Columbia White Sturgeon

http://www.uppercolumbiasturgeon.org/

 Release events o Where’s My Sturgeon? o Individuals assigned a PIT tagged sturgeon to release and can look up recapture data via the website  Hatchery tours  Website o Pictures & Videos  Pamphlets  Posters  Newsletter

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Management

 Technical Working Group o Implement recovery plan o Experts in the field  Community Working Group o Developing a common vision and public support o Stakeholders  Prohibit harvest

8. Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society

http://frasersturgeon.com/home/

 Release events  School programs o High school & elementary school based (http://hsbc.frasersturgeon.com/)  Website  News releases to the media (magazine, newspaper, television)  Song - Wish For A Fish: The Sturgeon (http://frasersturgeon.com/multi_media/wish_for_a_fish_the_sturgeon_song_by_bobs_and_lolo)  Adopt a Sturgeon Program o Individuals assigned a PIT tagged sturgeon (juvenile or adult) and can look up recapture data via the website

Management

 Population monitoring

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