THE OSPrEY A Journal Published by the Steelhead Committee Federation of Fly Fishers

Dedicated to the Preservation of Wild Steelhead • Issue No. 67 • SEPTEmbEr 2010 Nottawasaga River Steelhead A Great Lakes lesson in local adaptation and naturalization

by Brian P. Morrison, Fred Dobbs and Chris Atkinson — Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Nottawasaga Steeheaders —

Fisheries biologist Brian Morrison accidentally released into the Pine steelhead in the Canadian waters of the Ganaraska Region River, a Nottawasaga River tribu - of the Great Lakes proper. Shortly Conservation Authority, Fred thereafter, steelhead were making Dobbs, stewerdship services man - seasonal migrations between the ager for the Nottawasaga Valley Nottawasaga River and Georgian Conservation Authority and Chris Bay/Lake Huron; with these fish Atkinson of the Nottawasaga As early as 1903, likely resulting from the acciden - Steelheaders outline the establish - tal release of steelhead into the ment of a naturalized steelhead adult steelhead were Pine River. population in the Lake Huron documented in The life history characteristics of Basin, Ontario, Canada and how it the naturalized steelhead popula - might provide insight for re-intro - tributaries of the tions in the Great Lakes resemble ducing extirpated steelhead popu - those of anadromous forms native lations in other regions. Nottawasage River. to Pacific coastal drainages, although local populations display igratory rainbow varying life history traits. trout ( Oncorhynchus tary (Figure 1) by 1900, likely off - Continued on Page 4 mykiss ), also known spring of fish spawned from the as steelhead, were McLeod River, California. As iMntroduced into Lake Huron in 1876 The Osprey is now early as 1903 adult steelhead were when the AuSable River in documented in tributaries of the also available via Michigan was stocked with rain - Nottawasaga River, and it has been electronic delivery. bow trout from the Northville suggested as one of the first docu - Hatchery, MI. Steelhead were mented occurrence of wild adult See page 11 for details.

NOTTAWASAGA ASIAN CARP CA STEELHEAD SMITH RIVER SALMON TUOLUMNE IN THIS STEELHEAD THREAT WIN SUIT JEWEL FEEDLOTS RELICENSING ISSUE: — PAGE 1 — — PAGE 7 — — PAGE 8 — — PAGE 9 — — PAGE 15 — — PAGE 18 — 2 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

FROM THE PERCH — EDITOR’S MESSAGE THE OSPrEY The Adaptable Co-Chairs Will Atlas Scott Hagen Wild Steelhead Editor Jim Yuskavitch by Jim Yuskavitch

ong-time readers of The Osprey will note that from time to Contributing Editors time we publish articles on steelhead issues from the Great Pete Soverel • Bill Redman Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada, despite the fact that these Stan Young • Norm Ploss fish are not native to the region. Because of this fact, the sub - William Atlas • Schuyler Dunphy ject of running stories on Great Lakes steelhead always stim - Scott Hagen • Thomas Buehrens uLlates discussion among members of The Osprey’s editorial board on Contributors whether or not it is an appropriate subject for us. Brian P. Morrison • Fred Dobbs Introduced runs of steelhead (and salmon) provide an important and Chris Anderson • Will Atlas popular sport fishery and, in the case of steelhead, which have been in Gerry Worden • Norm Ploss the Great Lakes and their U.S. and Canadian tributaries since the mid- Alexandra Morton • Patrick Koepele 1870s, have become part of the natural flora. Since those first Nineteenth Layout Century introductions, some steelhead have developed wild populations Jim Yuskavitch that adapted genetically and behaviorly to a life history keyed to the eco - logical conditions they encountered in this place that evolution did not initially intend them to be. Letters To The Editor That demonstration of The Osprey welcomes submissions adaptability is of particu - and letters to the editor. lar interest here at The Submissions may be Osprey , where we are not made electronically or by mail. only concerned about pre - serving currently existing The Osprey wild populations of steel - P.O. Box 1228 head and salmon, but also Sisters, OR 97759-1228 promoting the restoration [email protected] and reintroduction of wild (541) 549-8914 fish to former habitats as they are restored or made The Osprey is a publication of The once again available after Federation of Fly Fishers and is pub - dams or other limiting fac - lished three times a year. All materials are copy protected and require permis - tors have been removed. The lower Nottawasaga River, Lake Huron basin, sion prior to reprinting or other use. That’s what intrigued us Ontario, Canada. Photo by Brian Morrison when Canadian fish biolo - The Osprey © 2010 gist Brian Morrison con - The Federation of Fly Fishers is a tacted us about an article on the naturalized, wild steelhead of the unique non-profit organization con - Nottawasaga River in the Lake Huron basin and the possibility that such cerned with sport fishing and fisheries an article might provide a useful example of how steelhead could even - The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) supports con - tually re-populate restored habitat in its natural range. You’ll find that servation of all fish in all waters. FFF has a long standing commit - the lead story for this issue of The Osprey . ment to solving fisheries problems at You’ll also find another upper Midwest region story in these pages cov - the grass roots. By charter and inclina - ering the potential dire impacts of Asian carp on populations of salmon, tion, FFF is organized from the bottom up; each of its 360+ clubs, all over steelhead and other aquatic life if these fish establish themselves in the North America and the world, is a Great Lakes, by Gerry Worden of the Great Lakes Council of the unique and self-directed group. The grass roots focus reflects the reality Federation of Fly Fishers, a group of dedicated steelheaders who are that most fisheries solutions must come working to conserve their unique and valuable fisheries just as FFF coun - at that local level. cils are doing throughout America whether or not they live in steelhead country. THE OSPREY IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING SOY INK THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 3

CHAIR’S CORNER Will Good Science Finally Influence Salmon Policy on the Columbia and Snake Rivers?

by Will Atlas — Co-Chair, Steelhead Committee — n the long running battle imperiled Columbia River wild The Columbia system is home to over the Columbia River’s stocks. Among the recommended 178 hatchery programs, many of water, hydro system, fish actions in the DEIS are reductions which are supported by funds from and wildlife, conservation - in the number of hatchery fish the Mitchell Act, originally desig - ists have, for the most part, released in many systems, the con - nated as mitigation for the 15 bIeen forced to rely on court deci - struction of weirs to sort hatchery mainstem dams on the Columbia sions to advance management and Snake Rivers which have practices that benefit wild largely destroyed wild runs. salmonids. Beginning in 1994 when Unfortunately, huge hatchery pro - the first contested Columbia River President Obama’s grams have come with the unin - Biological Opinion was issued by promise to “restore tended consequence of dramatical - the Clinton Administration, the ly reducing the genetic integrity federal government has shown science and its rightful and productivity of many ESA list - almost no desire to upset the status ed wild stocks. quo on the Columbia. Under the place” gave wild fish Now for the first time it appears Bush Administration, the federal that good science has been allowed government proved equally disin - advocates hope. to influence policy, and Columbia terested in the recovery of wild and Snake salmon and steelhead salmonids on the Columbia and should benefit greatly. The court fish out of spawning populations, Snake, and some government sci - case and attendant controversy and changes in the management entists complained of political around the Obama BioOp remain. goals for hatchery programs fund - interference in their work. With Let’s hope this is a sign of things to ed by federal Mitchell Act dollars. the election of Barack Obama and come for the Columbia. his promise to “restore science to its rightful place”, many in the conservation community were hopeful that the feds would make an about face on the Columbia. Two years and one failed BiOp later, it seems as though little has changed. Then last month, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its most recent Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for its efforts to reform the hatchery system on the Columbia. While the DEIS has its flaws, and is yet to be adopted officially, if implemented, it will be a major step forward for hatchery reform on the Columbia. The DEIS includes ambitious goals and a number of critically important management actions to reduce the The Columbia and Snake river system produced an estimated 12 million salmon annu - level of hatchery influence in ally before the federal hydro dams were constructed. Photo by Jim Yuskavitch 4 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Nottawasaga River steelhead Continued from page 1 Spawning takes place in the spring, though mature fish may enter their home tributary as early as August of the previous year. Mature fish migrating in the summer/fall will generally travel greater distances than their spring cohorts. They are usually first to spawn in the winter/spring and appear neces - sary to maximize recruitment in headwater areas. Fall migrants are thought to have an advantage over spring migrants due to warmer water temperatures and more stable discharge regimes, which allow for a greater opportu - nity to navigate obstacles such as rapids, waterfalls, and dams/fish - ways. The life history strategy of fall migration may have developed from summer run steelhead trans - planted from their native range. Spring migrations, which are a continuum from fall migrants, gen - erally begin in March through to June. Spawning activity generally commences in February through June, but spawning may begin as early as December. All wild Great Lakes steelhead Figure 1. Nottawasaga River watershed populations, including Lake Huron/Georgian Bay rainbow Argentina (e.g. Rio Santa Cruz). in any other watershed in the trout, have the ability to spawn The Nottawasaga River drains an Province of Ontario. The Boyne multiple times, a characteristic area of 3,000 km 2 (1,158 sq. mi.), River is the fifth largest tributary that appears to be a prerequisite with a mainstem length of 120 km within the Nottawasaga River for optimal recruitment. Most (74.6 mi.). It flows north draining watershed, draining 230 km 2. The healthy populations have repeat into Nottawasaga Bay, Georgian Boyne River originates on top of spawning levels between 50 and 70 Bay. There are three major head - the Niagara Escarpment and has a percent for both sexes. Males tend water areas originating in the mainstem length of 45 km. The to have higher natural mortality Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridge Earl Rowe Fishway, where most of and therefore lower repeat spawn - Moraine and the Oro Moraine. the adult population data is ing, probably due to multiple Steelhead naturally reproduce in obtained, is about 7 km upstream spawning events within one season many Nottawasaga River tribu - from the confluence with the and the protracted period of time taries including the Pine River, Nottawasaga River and is about 80 spent in spawning streams. Males Upper Nottawasaga River, Boyne km from Georgian Bay. The are capable of spawning three or River, Mad River, Noisy River, majority of the Boyne River sub - four times in successive years Sheldon Creek and several other watershed is above the Earl Rowe while females commonly have four smaller streams (Figure 1) due to a Fishway (210 km 2). It is believed to six spawning migrations in lack of dams and other barriers. that the Boyne River is one of the healthy populations, a trait also Steelhead in the Nottawasaga better producers of rainbow trout, exhibited in healthy steelhead pop - River can access hundreds of kilo - along with the upper Nottawasaga ulations in Kamchatka, Alaska, and meters of prime spawning and introduced populations in nursery stream habitat, more than Continued on next page THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 5

Continued from previous page OMNR created a year round open the Nottawasaga River and neigh - River and the Pine River. The season from the mouth of the boring watersheds. A total of 121 Boyne River is the only Niagara Boyne River to Georgian Bay juvenile steelhead were collected Escarpment tributary within the (70kms of angling access) on the from 6 Nottawasaga River tribu - Nottawasaga River that allows Nottawasaga River, allowing a taries. A total of 18 different access to the extreme headwaters daily possession of five steelhead. strains (genotypes) were identi - above any natural barriers. Angling effort increased propor - fied. This is the highest document - Fishways are present on the Boyne tionally as longer seasons and ed number of steelhead strains River (Earl Rowe Fishway) and the increased harvest opportunities found in any river system on the upper Nottawasaga River were created. It was believed that Ontario side of the Great Lakes. (Nicolston Fishway), which pro - a large proportion of the Boyne Four of the strains were newly vide the only estimates of popula - River and upper Nottawasaga pop - identified as being specific to only tion size and adult life history ulations over wintered in deep the Nottawasaga River and neigh - characteristics. The Nottawasaga pools on the mainstem boring Bighead River steelhead River has been known as a big fish Nottawasaga below the mouth of populations. Of special interest river, where the average size of was the fact that the entire fish handled in fishways has been Nottawasaga River was genetical - greater (average size at age is 15% ly different when compared to larger) than any other Lake The Nottawasaga those steelhead populations from Huron/Georgian Bay population. other tributary systems in the The past Ontario record was cap - River did not support Province of Ontario. Within the tured out of the Nottawasaga Nottawasaga River, local popula - River, weighing 29.13 lbs (13.2 kg). a popular sport tion structure was evident. For Introduced in the 1960s, the example, the Pine River steelhead Nottawasaga River also contains fishery for steelhead population was genetically differ - one of the largest naturalized until the 1940s. ent from the Sheldon Creek, which Chinook salmon populations in the was different than the upper Great Lakes, which is thought to Nottawasaga River. This means currently support the sport fishery that strains of steelhead present in within Georgian Bay and part of one tributary system are different Lake Huron. In addition, the the Boyne River, and became vul - than those of another neighboring Nottawasaga River contains one of nerable to harvest after this new tributary system. The upper the earliest running populations regulation. By the early 1990s, a Nottawasaga River steelhead (July) of Chinook salmon, as well decline was observed in upper showed the highest genetic vari - as spring run and spring spawning Nottawasaga and Boyne River pop - ability and is the greatest recorded (April) in the Boyne River, but ulations and decline in repeat in the Great Lakes basin when spring spawning success is spawning rate. compared to other naturalized or unknown. In 2008, a catch and release only hatchery populations (e.g. The Nottawasaga River did not zone for steelhead was established, Ganaraska River, ON; Salmon support a popular sport fishery for through the work of the River, NY). Fishway data indicate steelhead until the 1940s. It is Nottawasaga Steelheaders organi - that hatchery origin (clipped) believed that early maturing zation, from the mouth of the steelhead have never comprised a adults dominated the spawning Boyne River to the Pine River to significant proportion of the total populations from the 1940s until protect overwintering Boyne population (<1%) at both Earl the early 1960s. Fishway construc - River and upper Nottawasaga pop - Rowe and Nicholson fishways tion starting in the 1960s allowed ulations. Unfortunately, a lack of across all years of monitoring, and access to previously inaccessible monitoring has not been able to supported through anecdotal habitat. During the late 1960s, a provide data on whether the new angling evidence. large steelhead sport fishery was regulation is achieving the desired The typical age of smolting in established. During this time, the recovery in population size and major spawning tributaries (e.g. Ontario Ministry of Natural proportion of repeat spawners. Boyne River) is age-2. This differs Resources (OMNR) opened up sea - A study of the genetic stock from the upper Nottawasaga sons to increase opportunities for structure of wild Nottawasaga drainage, which has a high propor - anglers to fish and harvest steel - steelhead was undertaken to deter - tion of stream age-3 smolts. Most head year-round. In 1987, the mine the genetic diversity within Continued on next page 6 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Continued from previous page maintain a healthy population with and behavioral traits and co-adapt - the assumption that there is ed gene complexes (genetic struc - smolts leave the river during late approximately 30% natural mor - ture) has been developed by allow - April and May, but some begin the tality and 15% angler mortality. ing volitional access to high quali - smolting process earlier, and move Repeat spawning rates have ty habitat throughout the water - downstream in September and declined with population size fol - shed, by not stocking, by control - October. Nottawasaga steelhead lowing increased angling pressure ling harvest, and by letting the fish typically spend one to three years and longer open seasons for do what they wish. This has been in Georgian Bay prior to their first anglers. An exception occurred in seen in other wild steelhead popu - spawning migration, with three 2005, when a large year class lations within the Great Lakes (cf. years being dominant. Males are inflated the proportion of repeat Superior Steelhead, The Osprey known to mature earlier than spawners, with the population hav - No. 39). The naturalized steelhead females, often maturing after only ing very few multiple (greater in the Nottawasaga River provide one year in the lake. The Nottawasaga drainage is known to contain a unique life history of rainbow trout known as the ‘half-pounder’, which has been described in northern California, south - ern Oregon, and Kamchatka tributaries. Half-pounders typically spend only 2-4 months in the estuary or nearshore lake environ - ment, enter the river on a foraging foray and often overwinter within the river environment before return - ing to the lake the following spring. The precocious males are usually larger than fish with the half- pounder life history, where the threshold between the two is approximately 42cm (16.5 in). Based on evidence from other Great Lakes wild steelhead populations, Although not native to the region, the wild steelhead population of the Nottawasaga River sys - approximately 33% of the tem have adapted through genetics and life history to the local environment over the past 110 population exhibits a half- years. Photo by Brian Morrison pounder life history trait. These fish will then rear in the than two spawning events) repeat hope for restoring wild steelhead lake for 1-2 years before returning spawning individuals. to parts of their historic range to spawn. This behavioral strategy The wild steelhead inhabiting the where loss of access, habitat makes these individuals suscepti - Nottawasaga have had approxi - destruction, over-harvest and ble to angling mortality within the mately 110 years of natural selec - hatchery stocking have plagued river and near-shore lake environ - tion to develop genetic and life his - wild steelhead. This case study ment before they become sexually tory diversity, maximize local highlights that local adaptation and mature. abundance and productivity and population recovery are possible Repeat spawning rates have behaviors to optimize population when wild fish are given a chance ranged from a high of 58% repeat size based on the local environ - to recover. spawners to a low of 23%, with an mental templates (e.g. hydrology, average of 43%. A minimum of geomorphologic characteristics). 55% is considered necessary to The creation of local life history THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 7 Asian Carp, a Threat to Great Lakes Steelhead and Salmon

By Gerry Worden — Great Lakes Council Federation of Fly Fishers —

Author Gerry Worden is on the consuming up to their body weight Chinook and coho salmon, steel - Board of Directors of the Great in algae every day. They breed at a head and lake trout. Fly fishers Lakes Council of the Federation of prolific rate and can double their fish for steelhead and salmon in Fly Fishers. population annually. The Asian the lakes’ tributaries on a nearly carp could easily disrupt the Great year-round basis. ig headed carp and the Lakes food chain by consuming the The state of Illinois wants the T.J. silver carp (collective - algae and plankton needed by O’Brien Locks to remain open for ly referred to as Asian Great Lakes trout and salmon for - shipping. The shipping industry carp) are threatening age fish. The fish can grow up to moves hundreds of millions of dol - the steelhead and 100 pounds in weight and 4 feet in lars of goods annually. The T.J. BPacific and Atlantic salmon of the O’Brien Locks on the Calumet-Sag Great Lakes. Recently, a mature Asian carp breed at a Channel connect the Mississippi Asian carp was found in Lake River with Lake Michigan via the Calumet, 6 miles from Lake prolific rate and can Illinois River. According to Illinois Michigan. Whether or not the officials, without the canal the only Asian carp have breached an elec - double their population way to move goods currently tronic barrier designed to keep transported by ship would be by them out of the Great Lakes is a annually while truck. The increasing truck traffic subject of wide speculation. Some would likely overwhelm the inter - sources think that the Lake disrupting the Great state road system and dramatically Calumet carp got into the lake by Lakes food chain. increase shipping costs. being used for bait by errant fish - ermen. A test called eDNA was Short Term Fixes and Long Term length. Asian carp were imported conducted this spring and showed Solutions from China in the 1970s by aqua that Asian carp DNA was present culturists to keep fishponds clear above the electronic barrier. A In the short term, most of the of algae. They escaped the fish - debate as to the validity of such solutions have been lawsuits. ponds during floods and made tests between competing shipping Currently, “attorneys from five of their way into the Mississippi and fishing interests erupted after the six [sic] Great Lakes States River. In many areas on the the positive eDNA test. Officials (Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Mississippi, they have become the then decided to poison a 2.5-mile Indiana, and New York) are asking dominant species. stretch of the man-made Calumet- Judge Herbert Dow to block off the SAG Channel, which connects the Chicago Area Waterway System to Asian Carp and Competing Mississippi River with Lake prevent Asian carp from moving Interests Michigan, to determine if they from waters connected to the could confirm the presence of the Mississippi River into waters con - The Great Lakes states (with the Asian carp and the results of the nected to Lake Michigan (Jim exception of Illinois) want the T.J. eDNA test. After killing more than Harger, The Grand Rapids Press, O’Brien Locks on the Calumet-SAG 100,000 fish comprised of 40 dif - 8/22/10) Previously, the Great Channel Waterway shut down to ferent species, no Asian carp were Lakes states and the province of keep Asian carp from entering the found. Ontario sought two injunctions lakes. At issue for the Great Lakes from the U.S. Supreme Court to states is their annual $7 billion Why Are the Asian Carp a Threat close the waterway, which were annual sport fishing industry. to the Great Lakes Fishery? denied. Charter boats operate in all of the Great Lakes, where they troll for Asian carp are voracious feeders Continued on next page 8 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 Continued from previous page Protection for California In an effort to find a solution that would prevent the Asian carp from Steelhead Upheld entering the Great Lakes without closing T.J. O’Brien Locks, the By Norm Ploss, compiled from news reports Obama Administration provided — Steelhead Committee — $78.5 million to the stakeholders. Most of the immediate solutions lowing into the San California Council of the FFF who involve improving the electronic Francisco Bay Delta and have been part of the interested barrier system that is currently in ending its journey interveners in the case since it was place. These solutions call for through the heat of first heard in Fresno District Court adding additional electronic barri - California’s Central several years ago. The bottom line: FValley, the San Joaquin River is not wild steelhead are protected sepa - ers or creating bubble streams to block the fish from entering the currently a likely passage way for rately as anadromous fish. Great Lakes. steelhead, but it is home of a most This Endangered Species Act In the long term, stakeholders important legal ruling for these (ESA) case was a challenge to the propose a massive and costly berm fish! decision of the National Marine be built that would permanently In August, the Ninth Circuit Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list separate the Great Lakes from the Court of Appeals, San Francisco, the steelhead as a threatened Mississippi River. Experts have rejected an attempt by six species in California’s Central pointed out that all it would take California irrigation districts to Valley. In listing the steelhead, for the Asian carp to enter the strip protected status from wild NMFS defined it as a distinct Great Lakes is a flood of the Des steelhead trout in the San Joaquin species under the ESA, separate Plains River, which would mix the River watershed. The irrigators from rainbow trout that breeds waters of the canal and the Des had argued that ocean-going with and looks like the steelhead. Plaines. It is estimated that build - Central Valley steelhead popula - The separate listing was a depar - ing the berm would take 10 years tions should be removed from the ture from the prior NMFS policy of and cost millions of dollars. endangered species list based on classifying interbreeding Pacific their opinion that freshwater rain - salmon as a single species. Hope for the Future? bow trout – which never go to sea – The case centered on the distinc - might someday replace extinct tions between the steelhead and Other than closing the T. J. steelhead. The court carefully sup - rainbow trout. O’Brien Locks on the Calumet ported the government’s con - The irrigators contended that –SAG Channel or building a costly tention that steelhead are a under a proper interpretation of berm, no decision has been made “Distinct Population Segment the ESA, the steelhead and rainbow on how to keep Asian carp from (DPS)” and that application of this should be classified in the same infesting the Great Lakes. The refined policy is appropriate. DPS because, to some extent, they problem of Asian carp entering the The Court agreed with the interbreed. They also said that the Great Lakes has been compared to National Marine Fisheries Service policy change for O. mykiss from a ticking time bomb that could (NMFS) and the conservation and the ESU (Evolutionary Significant destroy this fishery as we know it. fishing groups that NMFS may pro - Unit) Policy to the DPS Policy was Proposed solutions to this menace tect steelhead without including all not adequately explained or justi - are either temporary, hold dire freshwater resident rainbow trout fied and hence was arbitrary and economic consequences or will in the protected population. The capricious. take a decade and millions of dol - Court concluded that “under the San Joaquin River drainage sys - lars to build. The fate of Great ESA (Endangered Species Act), tem fish have lost 95% of their his - Lakes steelhead and Pacific and interbreeding is not alone determi - toric habitat, and they continue to Atlantic salmon may now hang in native of whether organisms must face threats from unchecked water the balance, awaiting an uncertain be classified alike where, as here, use, blockage by dams, urban future. they develop and behave different - sprawl, and polluted rivers. The ly.” Court’s ruling represents the latest The six conservation and fishing rejection of attempts by big agri - groups included the Federation of cultural interests to take more Fly Fishers — led by the Steelhead water out of the San Francisco Committee — and the Northern Bay-Delta ecosystem. THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 9 A River can be Saved The Smith River, California’s Crown Jewel

By Ben Taylor — Kenwood, California —

Author Ben Taylor has been fishing action is anticipated going for - scenic,” more than any other in the the Smith River for over 35 years ward. country. The emerald-green river and his great-grandfather built a flows freely and naturally, without fishing lodge on the south fork in California’s Crown Jewel a single dam for its entire length – the early 1900s. Through Taylor’s the only river system in California long connection with the river, he The Smith River Basin encom - to do so. When winter rains arrive, has grown to love it, and has passes 719 square miles of north - the Smith – its three forks and become acquainted and involved western California and southern countless creeks – drains a rugged with many of the organizations and Oregon. 632 square miles (87%) of terrain of mountains and canyons. “stakeholders” who have an inter - this are managed by government At the urging of CalTrout and the est in preserving the river and its agencies – 91 square miles by the Smith River Alliance (SRA), resources for future generations to Siskiyou National Forest in Congress created the Smith River enjoy. Oregon, 65 square miles by the National Recreational Area (NRA) He would like to give special Redwood National and State Parks, in 1990 to protect the area’s special thanks to Chuck Bucaria and 476 square miles by the U.S. scenic value. Located in the north - (NCCFFF), Zack Larson and Jim west corner of California, the NRA Waldvogel (SRAC), Tom Weseloh encompasses a watershed of (CalTrout), and Patt Wardlaw The Smith is the only approximately 476 square miles (PCF) for their assistance and (305,000 acres) – mostly dense valuable input in writing this arti - river system in forests, remote wilderness, and cle, and for their tireless efforts to rocky canyons, with 325 miles of protect the Smith River. California that flows river. The Smith River is within the Six Rivers National Forest, ivers can be saved by freely and naturally, which is managed by the U.S. the collective efforts Forest Service. of individuals and without a single dam organizations! for is entire length. The Smith River Fishery California’s Smith River is an outstanding example of The Smith River supports four one anadromous watershed whose principal species of anadromous returning salmonids have survived Forest Service. Approximately 87 fish – fall-run Chinook salmon, during a time when steelhead and square miles of the watershed coho salmon, winter-run steelhead salmon populations in other West (13%) are still in private owner - trout, and coastal cutthroat trout. Coast streams have become threat - ship, including land surrounding While well over $100 million has ened, endangered, or even extinct. the estuary. been spent in the Smith River The following rich history and The Smith River is one of the basin on land acquisition, habitat background of the effort to protect crown jewels of the National Wild maintenance, and restoration, we the Smith and its resources brings and Scenic River System, which do not really know if the anadro - credit to the many organizations affords protection for rivers mous fish population has respond - and individuals who have been across the country. Ronald Reagan ed. We have had creel surveys, involved. We will introduce you to also gave state Wild and Scenic sta - punch cards, redd surveys, carcass some of them, and address some of tus to the Smith with the California counts, hatchery returns, and even the important issues facing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed fisheries population monitoring at Smith today, and what protective in 1972. Over 300 miles of the Mill Creek, but, all of that informa - Smith are designated “wild and Continued on next page 10 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Continued from previous page Humboldt State University Consultant, Hans Voight, a 78-page Fisheries Department, and anglers Action Plan was developed for the tion put together gives us only a who come from far and wide. Smith River. This has served as a glimpse of the numbers of anadro - valuable blueprint for maintaining mous fish returning to the Smith Smith River Advisory Council and enhancing anadromous fish River each year. While most (SRAC) populations in the Smith River. believe the Smith River is compar - According to Zack Larson, the atively “healthy,” what we need is While NCCFFF and CalTrout, are Action Plan focuses on working a comprehensive monitoring pro - among the two largest fishery- with about a dozen landowners in gram with accurate population focused conservation organiza - the lower part of the river who own estimates for the basin, so that the tions in the state (see their web - at least 40 or more acres each. California Department of Fish & sites for further information), the Tributary issues and habitat needs Game (DFG) can effectively man - nucleus of the overall effort to pro - are addressed, so that monitoring, age the Smith River fishery. tect the Smith is the Smith River assessment and restoration pro - Advisory Council (SRAC). jects can be identified, and priori - Stakeholders Established in 1990 in Crescent ty recommendations can be formu - City, SRAC consists of stakehold - lated. The Action Plan is posted on In addition to the resource man - ers mentioned above, and is under the Smith River Alliance website: agement offered by the U.S. Forest the current leadership of www.smithriveralliance.org/Resou Service, there are many other Chairman, Jim Waldvogel. Zack rces/Library. organizations, departments, indi - Larson, has served as Smith River viduals, and volunteers who share Watershed Coordinator and has Pacific Coast Flyrodders (PCF), an interest in preserving and pro - been Waldvogel’s right hand man and The Smith River Alliance tecting the Smith River. These for nine years. Unfortunately, this (SRA) “stakeholders” include the position is no longer being funded California Fish & Game by DFG. While NCCFFF and CalTrout, the Commission (FGC), the California The purpose of SRAC is to active - two largest fishery-focused orga - Department of Fish & Game (DFG ly promote forums (through nizations in northern California, biologists and wardens), Del Norte monthly meetings) that address are committed to protecting the County and its local Fish & Game issues and solve problems con - Smith, two other organizations Advisory Commission, Del Norte cerning the Smith River fishery, have played important roles and County Conservation District, and support a system-wide should be mentioned. Rural Human Resources, City of approach towards watershed man - Founded in 1975 by its President, Crescent City, the Smith River agement in the basin. Goals of the Patt Wardlaw, PCF was formed to Advisory Council (SRAC), the SRAC include coordinating and address Smith River access issues Northern California Council of the integrating fishery research and between anglers and local Federation of Fly Fishers restoration efforts in the Smith landowners. Since then, other pro - (NCCFFF), CalTrout, Trout River basin; seeking funding jects have promoted river eti - Unlimited (TU), the Pacific Coast sources for research and restora - quette and conservation – most Flyrodders (PCF), the Smith River tion efforts; helping to educate the notably: working with DFG on low- Alliance (SRA), California public about Smith River fish - flow closure issues on the Smith; Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps, ery/watershed issues; and develop - working closely with NCCFFF to Friends of Del Norte, the Wild ing a Smith River management discourage gillnetting in the Smith; Salmon Center (WSC), the North plan to benefit the biological, working with NCCFFF, SRAC, and American Salmon Stronghold social, and economic aspects of the DFG to discourage snagging dur - Partnership (NASSP), Smith River Smith River basin and Del Norte ing low-water conditions; and sup - Rancheria, fishing guides, County. This would include influ - porting the new sport fishing regu - Reservation Ranch, dairy farmers, encing favorable legislation and /or lations. Members of PCF now num - gravel extractors, timber compa - regulatory agencies. ber over 60. nies, park rangers, the local Rowdy Another important organization Creek Fish Hatchery, National The 2002 Smith River Anadromous committed to preserving the Smith Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Fish Action Plan (Action Plan) River, and a member of the SRAC, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish is the Smith River Alliance (SRA), and Wildlife Service, Redwood Authored by SRAC Chairman, under the leadership of Executive National and State Parks, Jim Waldvogel, and Fisheries Continued on next page THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 11

Continued from previous page THE OSPREY NOW OFFERS ELECTRONIC MAILING Director, Grant Werschkull. Incorporated in 1980, with some Subscribers may now, at their option, receive The Osprey as a PDF file financial help from CalTrout, SRA attached to an e-mail. identifies and seeks funding for The Osprey staff wants to emphasize that this is subscribers’ choice based priority habitat restoration pro - on how you prefer to receive mailings and what fits your lifestyle. Some pre - jects. See the SRA website for fer the speed and ease of forwarding, copying, and manipulating that elec - tronic documents provide. For others, there is no substitute for a printed doc - more information: smithriveral - ument that can be read anywhere. To open PDF files, e-mail subscribers will liance.org. require the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded free of charge at: www.adobe.com/products/reader/ Land Acquisition If you are an existing subscriber who would like to switch to e-mail deliv - ery or a new subscriber for either printed or e-mail delivery, please complete Creating and maintaining a 719 the redesigned coupon on Page 19 and send it to the Federation of Fly Fishers square mile watershed in pristine with your contribution to support The Osprey and the cause of recovering condition doesn’t just happen – it wild steelhead and salmon. takes years of hard work, with both Effective immediately you also have the option of making a secure credit card donation to support The Osprey and wild steelhead and salmon by going government and private entities to the following link: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4329. working together towards a com - By either means, the steelhead and salmon will thank you for supporting mon goal. Central to the effort is to The Osprey . acquire land within the watershed. In 2001, the Save-the-Redwoods League played a leadership role in acquiring the Mill Creek water - The Osprey on the Web shed for $60 million – 24,753 acres The Osprey now has its own section on the Federation of Fly Fishers re-designed surrounding this most important website. Learn about our mission, check on the status of wild steelhead populations, download past copies of The Osprey , subscribe and donate. spawning tributary of The Smith River. In 2003, the Smith River Go to: www.fedflyfishers.org and click on the Conservation tab, then the Native Fish Alliance (SRA), Western Rivers tab to reach The Osprey pages. Conservancy (WRC) and CalTrout To donate go to: www.fedflyfishers.org, then click on the “Support Us” tab. Be sure to led an effort to acquire and con - specify your donation is for The Osprey . serve the 9,400-acre Goose Creek Check out our new blog at: http://ospreysteelheadnews.blogspot.com/ watershed, the principal tributary of the south fork of the Smith. Currently underway is the $4.5 mil - lion acquisition of the 5,400-acre, Hurdygurdy Creek watershed, one of the best salmon spawning and rearing streams in the system. Invest in the future of “all fish, all waters,” with a Upon completion of this acquisi - membership in the FFF — a nonprofit tion, these watersheds will become organization. Your membership helps make us a a protected part of the Smith River stronger advocate for the sport you love! National Recreation Area (NRA), and represent the last large tracts Federation of Fly Fishers of land available for acquisition in P.O. Box 1688 the NRA. Livingston, MT 59047 Smith River Habitat Restoration Projects Long before the NRA was estab - lished in 1990, habitat restoration was well underway in the Smith River watershed. A DFG report published in 2007 summarizes

Continued on next page 12 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Continued from previous page restoration projects completed in the Smith River Basin during the years 1984 to 2006. These projects include funding for a watershed coordinator, watershed acquisi - tions, building in-stream habitat structures, Rowdy Creek Hatchery enhancement for salmon and steel - head, decommissioning of many miles of old lumber roads, enhanc - ing cover structure for juvenile salmonids, improving spawning and rearing habitat, removal of barriers to provide spawning access, tree planting to restore riparian canopy, promotion of pub - lic conservation education, devel - oping landowner involvement in anadromous fish enhancement projects, and construction of large woody debris, root-wads, and log and boulder structures at dozens of The Smith River is among the very best of California’s wild steelhead and salmon sites. streams. Photo by Zack Larson.

The Role of the California Fish & Sonke Mastrup, was explaining to SRAC and NCCFFF.” Mr. Game Department (DFG) and the the five Commissioners why funds McCamman became Director of California F&G Commission (FGC) for the “five-star” Smith were not DFG late in 2009. Regarding the Smith River available. At that point, Commissioner Mike Sutton posed a The Wild Salmon Center, Salmon DFG has long considered the philosophical question: “Mr. Strongholds, and the Pacific Smith to be a “five-star” healthy Mastrup . . . proponents of the Salmon Stronghold Conservation river. As a result, with its serious Smith River want to know where Act budget constraints, DFG has been we [DFG and the Commission] spending most of its available should put the most effort – fixing In Sacramento today the momen - resources on “one-star” rivers – what’s wrong or saving what’s tum has clearly changed in favor those with two or three endan - left?” Commissioner Sutton was of further protecting this magnifi - gered species – the Smith having finally giving recognition to the cent river. While all of the five only one: the coho salmon. This fact that it is far less expensive to F&G Commissioners have been “benign neglect” became alarming protect a healthy river, than to extremely supportive of efforts to as in 2008 and 2009 DFG ceased to restore a sick one. protect the Smith, it is important to fund a number of critical Smith Subsequently, in an official mem - note that one of the River conservation programs. orandum dated Sept. 25, 2007, then Commissioners, Mike Sutton, also In response to this adverse devel - Acting Director of DFG, John Chairs the Oregon-based Wild opment, representatives from McCamman, summarized the new Salmon Center (WSC), an interna - SRAC, NCCFFF, CalTrout, and PCF direction as follows: “The tional organization working to pro - began to plead the Smith’s case Department [DFG] has a long his - tect wild Pacific salmon through - before the California Fish & Game tory of cooperation with the SRAC out the Pacific Rim. The Wild Commission (FGC) – the organiza - and the Northern Council Salmon Center in turn sits on the tion which sets policy for the Federation of Fly Fishers 18-member steering committee of California Fish & Game [NCCFFF]. . . [and] the Department the North American Salmon Department. A significant turning has committed to collaborating on Stronghold Partnership (NASSP). point occurred at the July 12, 2007 development of a comprehensive The NASSP identifies strong popu - Commission meeting in fisheries monitoring plan for the lations of Pacific salmon, with the Bridgeport. DFG Deputy Director, Smith River in cooperation with Continued on next page THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 13

Continued from previous page Restoration Card. DFG later pro - fair to anglers who may wish to mission of protecting the best wild claimed, “We consider no other take home some fish for the table. salmon ecosystems of the Pacific option tenable for abundance esti - Therefore, during the latest regu - Rim. Of nine Stronghold basins mation.” (2008 Issue Paper: DFG latory cycle, a special effort was identified in the five-state Pacific biologist, Philip Bairrington). If made to gather input from, and Northwest, the Smith was the only successful, the DIDSON system inform as many stakeholders as one initially designated as a will give DFG a most important possible before presenting final Salmon Stronghold in California. and critical fisheries management recommendations to the Fish & NASSP also supports favorable tool, not only for the Smith, but for Game Commission. The Del Norte salmon conservation legislation in other California rivers as well. Fish & Game Advisory Washington, D.C., such as the The first DIDSON unit is sched - Commission and SRAC held sever - Pacific Salmon Stronghold uled to be functioning in the Smith al community meetings designed Conservation Act of 2009. This was River in time to begin counting to reach general consensus on pro - finally passed in 2010. While past fish electronically when the fall posed regulation changes. salmon conservation programs Chinook begin entering the river in However, even with the well-vet - focus on the most endangered October 2010. ted proposals, not everyone is spawning streams, “Stronghold” happy. For instance, Jimmy bills in the House (H.R. 2055) and Csutoras lives on the Smith, and Senate (S.817) would direct feder - has been fishing the river since al, state, local and private stake - “Stronghold” bills will 1964. He fishes mostly for steel - holders to develop conservation head, is an excellent angler, and plans that make new investments help agencies and remembers days in the 60s and 70s in the healthiest runs – a new, when hooking ten steelhead a day proactive U.S. policy to protect stakeholders protect was average, and over twenty fish populations before they always possible. Into the 80s, the decline, and protect ecosystems wild fish and habitat daily bag limit was three wild before they are degraded. It will on the Smith before steelhead, which in time was grad - also create a grants program to ually reduced to two, and then to support conservation efforts in they are degraded. one in 1998, with an annual bag healthy wild salmon ecosystems limit of five. Being actively across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, involved with river conservation in and California. Tom Weseloh, Sport Fishing Regulations those days, Jimmy was instrumen - North Coast Manager for CalTrout, tal in bringing about those has testified in support of this leg - Since accurate fish population changes. However, he feels strong - islation; and Weseloh, Larson, and numbers are not available for the ly that going to a zero limit for wild Waldvogel serve as NASSP Smith Smith, the FGC took steps during steelhead is a step too far, and River “basin liaisons.” the recent three-year regulatory quite unnecessary. And he is not cycle to protect existing Smith alone. Another excellent angler DIDSON (Dual-frequency River fish with more restrictive from southern California, Mike IDentification SONar) sport fishing regulations as fol - Martines, makes an annual pil - lows: 1) Reduce the seasonal bag grimage to the Smith and fishes Three years after the 2007 limit for wild steelhead to zero, 2) for steelhead two weeks a season. Commission meeting in Increase the bag limit for hatch - He was absolutely furious to learn Bridgeport, in March 2010, DFG ery, fin-clipped steelhead to two, that he could no longer take any finally approved $434,500 to fund a with four in possession wild fish home. He feels that pri - sonar fish-counting station in the (statewide), 3) Extend the vate anglers, taking a few wild lower Smith River, and to imple - Klamath-Trinity salmon report steelhead a year, will do no harm to ment a two-year pilot study to card to include the Smith, and set a a run of fish that he considers address questions about the useful - five wild salmon season limit, 4) quite healthy and abundant. ness and reliability of DIDSON. On Return to mandatory use of barb - January 15, 2008, a Smith River less hooks. The River Guides demonstration of the DIDSON sys - Enacting effective sport fishing tem was arranged by Zack Larson regulations is a delicate balancing There are approximately 60 of SRAC, and funded by the DFG act – one which attempts to both guides operating in the Smith Steelhead Fishing Report – protect the resource while being Continued on next page 14 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Continued from previous page Van Scoyk, there is a major differ - River vicinity. They fish the Smith It is one thing to enact and pub - ence between mating practices at and other nearby rivers during the lish protective sport fishing regu - Rowdy Creek and other hatcheries: fall and winter fishing seasons. lations, but entirely another to “We never mate two hatchery fish. Among those guides, Val and Gary enforce them. A severe state bud - Whenever possible, we always pre - Early are two of the best. Having get crisis has affected staffing of fer to mate two wild fish. We also fished the Smith since the 70s, the game wardens – and not just for mate different sizes and ages of Earlys are well-aware of how frag - the Smith River. In spite of this, fish to keep the gene pool mixed ile Smith River resources can be. the Law Enforcement Division of up. Our hatchery fish make up only Regarding the new regulations, DFG, under Chief of Enforcement, 30% of steelhead in the Smith they believe the guides have mixed Nancy Foley, has made an extra River, so there is a higher chance feelings – torn between personal effort to put “uniforms” on the of wild fish spawning with hatch - preferences and the business they Smith during early-season, low- ery fish.” love. Opinions will also differ water conditions, when Chinook depending on clients’ preferences, are most vulnerable. We now have The Future of the Smith River and whether they are fishing for a full-time DFG biologist assigned salmon or steelhead. In general, to the Smith, and three game war - Action to protect and preserve guiding will not be impacted by dens – one assigned to the Smith the Smith River has been on-going either the wild salmon report card River area, and the other two with for decades. However, as more (and five fish limit), or going to marine-related responsibilities, people come to enjoy the river’s barbless hooks. However, while the but who can spend time on the resources, the task becomes “catch and release” concept is Smith during the critical early sea - increasingly urgent. While the growing in popularity, many son. state population has grown from clients still want to keep a wild under 20 million to over 38 million fish. Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery in the last 30 years, and as other Another issue should also be con - rivers are in decline, angling pres - sidered: Smith River steelhead are The tremendous floods of 1964 sure on the Smith, both legal and unusually large, and anglers, hop - greatly impacted much of the illegal, is on the rise. So where do ing for a trophy over 20 pounds, spawning population of the Smith we go from here? will usually take home the largest River and seriously altered spawn - As mentioned previously, we do fish – the ones most important for ing grounds, leading to a rapid not know how many anadromous preserving the gene pool. The state decline in runs of fish. In 1968 the fish return to spawn in the Smith record steelhead – 27 pounds, 4 Smith River Kiwanis Club spon - each year. We are therefore hoping ounces – is from the Smith River. sored construction and operation that the data to be collected by the Summing up reactions to the new of a hatchery on a tributary of the DIDSON sonar system will give regulations, both sides of the Smith River. In 1970 the state DFG an important tool to help debate have valid points, but none passed legislation granting a per - manage this important fishery. can be argued scientifically simply mit to build and operate the Rowdy Going forward, it is the goal of because the number of anadro - Creek Fish Hatchery. It was built ardent advocates of this magnifi - mous fish returning to the Smith entirely with donated funds, labor cent river that a full-fledged each year is unknown. and material. The hatchery is cur - Strategic and Fisheries Furthermore, an abundance of rently under the able management Management Plan for the Smith returning adult fish in a given year of Andrew Van Scoyk, with CDFG River be developed and imple - is no guarantee of a healthy return providing technical support. It mented, thus assuring that its fish - at the other end of the spawning operates 365 days a year, and 100% eries survive for the benefit of cycle – there are simply too many of both steelhead and Chinook many generations to come. variables, rendering forecasting released in the river have been fin- an abstract art rather than a per - clipped to identify them as hatch - fect science. Until science is avail - ery fish. able, DFG will have no choice but As with most hatcheries, and to continue protecting the Smith Rowdy Creek is no exception, with sport fishing regulations there is always a debate as to based on conservation and com - whether a hatchery is good for the mon sense. wild fish in a river or not. Enforcement However, according to Manager THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 15 Atlantic Salmon Feedlots Secrecy at all costs

By Alexandra Morton — Raincoast Research Society — Alexandra Morton is executive to study whales. When I was wid- reason that feedlots crowd ani- director of the Raincoast Research owed a few years later my few mals, making it easier for Society located in Simoom Sound, neighbors helped me learn how to pathogens to jump from host to British Columbia. She has conduct- survive — cut firewood, fish, fix an host, and they eliminate predators ed significant research on the outboard, read the weather — and I that remove contagious animals impacts of Atlantic salmon farm- stayed. Very little was known from the population. Feedlots ing on wild Pacific salmon and is a about whales in the winter and my break fundamental natural laws, long-time critic of that industry. research was productive. When the tipping the balance into chaos, and For more information about the first set of salmon pens appeared must be held in quarantine from Raincoast Research Society, see in tow behind a small tugboat they wild populations. But these marine the website at: www.raincoastre- looked benign. They looked like an feedlots not only break the natural search.org laws, they also exist outside the If we want wild Constitution of Canada. cean feedlots arrived in British Columbia in salmon we have to The first step set our course to the early 1980s. They disaster spread rapidly, displac- respect their biology, ing local fishermen as Salmon feedlots should never Othey dropped their anchors in honed to perfection have happened to Canada because prime prawn, rock cod and wild over 10,000 years. our Constitution prohibits privati- salmon habitat in an atmosphere zation of ocean spaces. For reasons charged with controversy, secrecy we are left to guess, government and building public opposition. idea that would bring jobs and a overlooked this and today we have What started as a Canadian indus- few more families to a community a patchwork of poorly considered try, is now 92% Norwegian-owned where you have to make your own legislation that is not working to by three international companies electricity, where there are no protect wild salmon and is damag- — Cermaq, Marine Harvest and roads and every person counts. ing feedlot salmon’s market Grieg, with a distant fourth, I am now 53 and I wish I knew stature. Creative Salmon, which is then what I know now. If we want In 1984, the federal government Japanese and Canadian-owned. wild salmon we have to respect sought a legal opinion on the con- The concept of rearing salmon in their biology, which has been stitutional challenges posed by ocean net pens is simple enough honed to perfection over the past rearing salmon in ocean pens. and at first glance appears a good 10,000 years. There is no way Bruce Wildsmith, prominent idea. Why not raise salmon in pens around this. Salmon “farms” are Canadian public law attorney, rec- and allow the wild fish to thrive feedlots growing the maximum ommended a new federal statute, without commercial fishing pres- number of animals in as small a but warned this might be “politi- sure? As a biologist living in a space as possible as quickly as pos- cally difficult to initiate.” remote area of the coast of British sible, on a highly unnatural diet Rejecting this legal but difficult Columbia I learned the answer to that includes wild fish, grain, blood course of action in 1989, federal this question the hard way. flour, and their flesh is dyed pink. Minister of Fisheries, Tom Sidden, As a young woman of 26, I moved The science of epidemiology is and Provincial Minister of to a remote archipelago called the very clear about feedlots. They are Agriculture and Fisheries, John Broughton Archipelago, on the hothouses for disease, triggering Savage, signed an unlawful west coast of Canada with my film- epidemics that cannot happen in Memorandum of Understanding maker husband and our baby son the natural world for the simple Continued on next page 16 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67

Continued from previous page Government cover-up and the sweeping the epidemic with them (MOU) transferring salmon feed - Fraser sockeye as they passed through Rivers lot management to the provincial Inlet and Skeena stocks. government. This attempt to take Infectious haematopoietic necro - There have been “four waves” of an industry that ultimately har - sis (IHN) is a virus deadly to sock - IHN outbreaks according to the vests fish from the ocean and eye, steelhead, Chinook and her - Canadian Food Inspection Agency manipulates them into “farms,” ring. IHN epidemics began in right into the Central Coast. left a few outstanding irregulari - salmon feedlots in July 1992 in “Farming practices themselves ties. A farmer doesn’t need a hunt - Okisollo Channel, the narrowest contributed significantly to the ing license to recapture a stray migration passage used by Fraser spread between farms ,” (Saksida cow, pig or chicken, but a salmon sockeye, and spread in waves until 2006). While MAFF and DFO did “farmer” needs a federal fishing there were more infected Atlantic not acknowledge the threat to wild license to recapture his livestock. salmon than Fraser sockeye in salmon, the BC Supreme Court did, If they need a fishing license, they these channels. It would be dishon - issuing an injunction preventing are not farms they are fisheries est to suggest this had no affect on vessels carrying the IHN-infected and should be under the federal the wild fish. 1992 is the year feedlot salmon from entering the Fisheries Act . Fraser River sockeye productivity Fraser River. Why could lawyers The Pacific Fishery Regulations began declining. and a judge see more clearly than 1993 tried to patch this up by Government e-mails detail a the responsible government agen - exempting provincially licensed heated conversation between the cies? aquaculture from all the fishing Ministry of Agriculture, Fish and The pattern of the Fraser sock - regulations in the Fisheries Act. Food (MAFF, now called MAL), to eye decline is stark. Only the This allowed the industry to drift which the MOU had tasked salmon Fraser stocks known to migrate further from Canada’s stated feedlot regulation, along with the past salmon feedlots are in decline. intent to protect wild fish. The Ministry of Environment, Lands The Fraser Harrison sockeye Federal Fisheries and Oceans and Parks (MELP). MAFF refused [Editor’s Note: sockeye that ascend Canada (DFO) was effectively to report the outbreak to MELP. the Harrison River, a tributary of forced to stand down by giving When MELP found out two months the Fraser ] are not found among them the impossible dual mandate later, they expressed strong con - the feedlots and they are thriving. to protect wild fish and promote cern about the wild salmon and If we want to know why Fraser (not just tolerate) salmon feedlots. steelhead in the area. But DFO did sockeye are flashing on and off in What I have observed over 20 not wield their power to cull the unpredictable patterns, we have to years is that when conflicts arise, diseased salmon. Incredibly they know what disease challenges they the more organized feedlot lobby let the virus spread to 13 feedlots are facing in two of their most sen - has won every time. There is cur - in a 20 km radius over 4 years (St- sitive life-stages – leaving and rently no public agency free to Hilaire et al. 2002). entering the river. protect wild fish. Eight months into this epidemic, Salmon feedlot disease records In 2009, the BC Supreme Court DFO scientists published a paper are essential to understanding why struck down this unlawful 20-year- that demonstrated that IHN could the Fraser sockeye are in free-fall. old MOU and instructed the feder - spread from Atlantic salmon to al government to resume control of sockeye and they advised “ infected Disease reporting, not at all what salmon feedlots. Immediately, fish to netpens should be avoided ” we asked for inter-government negotiations (Traxler et al. 1993). began with reports that the federal These findings were a red flag, a In 1997 the government Salmon government would task the neon sign flashing ‘WARNING.’ A Aquaculture Review called for leg - province to continue as the lead government interested in protect - islated disease surveillance with agency. But within days of the ing either the wild or feedlot “First Nations, industry, communi - August 2009 announcement that salmon would have imposed ty fishers and wild fishery organi - the Fraser sockeye salmon run had mandatory IHN reporting, inspec - zations.” This has been ignored. crashed, Province officials quietly tion and culling of infected live - In 2000, Canada’s Auditor phoned the industry and told them stock. Instead the provincial and General confirmed DFO’s conflict they had decided to withdraw from federal governments of Canada did of interest to promote aquaculture their regulatory role. nothing and allowed generation and protect wild salmon. This has after generation of sockeye to been ignored. swim through a pathogen stew, Continued on next page THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 17

Continued from previous page stated that if their disease records This can’t be about fish In 2001 the federal Standing were released they would never Committee on Fisheries and inform government of their dis - If all these shenanigans were Oceans recommended “early ease status again. On March 1, about fish, someone would have detection and mandatory reporting 2010, the FOI Commissioner ruled tried to benefit either the wild or of diseases for farmed aquatic ani - the disease data had to be released. the feedlot salmon, protecting the mals.” This has been ignored. On April 1 all four companies fish and their markets, but this The 2007 provincial Special refused Committee on Sustainable access to the Aquaculture (SCSA) called for a government public “watchman” program and inspectors to moving the industry to closed test their fish tanks in 5 years. This was ignored. for disease. In 2009, the Pacific Salmon While the Forum recommended lice infesta - province has tion of wild salmon outside the the ability to feedlots should be the measure to overrule this, regulate the feedlot lice. This, too, they have has been ignored. meekly stood Governments were clearly told down. What that salmon feedlot disease has to other feedlot be public. But imagine if the public is getting had been aware that IHN was rag - away with ing in millions of Atlantic salmon this? Who in the migratory corridors of the would eat a collapsing Fraser sockeye? steak from a Perhaps some did. In 2001, Bud feedlot that Graham (MAFF) and the BC refused gov - Salmon Farmers Association ernment dis - The Atlantic salmon farming industry protects its secrets with signed a non-binding “Letter of ease testing? help from the Canadian government. Photo by Alexandra Morton Understanding” to create an unleg - mess is harming everyone and the islated, voluntary disease-report - The Canadian Food Inspection communities caught in the middle. ing scheme, stored in a database so Agency takes a swing at this This is a mistake with no exit strat - top-secret that government inspec - egy. No one did a full risk analysis tors are not allowed to access it, The Canadian Food Inspection when we took that first step off the and the information cannot leave Agency (CFIA) reports that tracks in 1989. The government is the provincial fish health office in Canada has not fully met any of the serving no one. Courtenay, BC. This is not what the fish disease reporting require - This industry is an insignificant public asked for. Moreover, we ments set out by the World Health emperor parading naked, demand - provided $70,000 to create a data - Organization for Animal Health ing we all step aside and risk one of base that we are not allowed to (OIE), to which Canada is a signa - Canada’s greatest resources. But access. tory. They report this has side - what does it offer? The industry lined Canada into a lesser market. reportedly creates 6,000 jobs in a The Freedom of Information In December 2009 the CFIA few towns, but there are 40,000 fracas stepped on to this battlefield and wilderness tourism jobs that listed 23 aquatic pathogens as depend on wild salmon. The indus - This extraordinary situation was “Immediately Notifiable try earns $500 million, paying it challenged by the T. Buck Suzuki Diseases,” including IHN. out in shares, while wilderness Foundation (not David Suzuki http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp- tourism is an economic power - Foundation) when they filed a pr/p1/2009/2009-12-19/html/reg1- house worth $1.6 billion, spread Freedom of Information (FOI) eng.html (CFIA regulatory analy - throughout BC. request for salmon feedlot disease sis). While feedlots attempt to claim records. The FOI was ignored for 6 Is this happening? The province the noble ability to feed the world, years. The three big Norwegian refuses to answer if IHN is now raising salmon will never feed the companies and Creative Salmon all reportable or not. Continued on next page 18 SEPTEmbEr 2010 THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 Continued from previous page Dam Re-licesening on Tuolumne world because massive quantities of fish are taken from southern oceans as ingredients for salmon River Offers Hope for Wild Salmon food, shipped the length of the globe and thrown back into the By Patrick Koepele feedlots to produce fewer pounds — Tuolumne River Trust — of Atlantic salmon than it takes to grow them. This regime starves Patrick Koepele is deputy execu - nature’s greatest dramas – the one ocean to pollute another and tive director of the Tuolumne River annual migration of fall-run rob people of fish protein. Trust. For more information about Chinook salmon to their spawning Continuing viral outbreaks and this organization visit their website beds in the Tuolumne River. alarming sea lice populations now at: www.tuolumne.org. We’ve all heard the stories resistant to all but the most toxic of days of yore, told by a few old- drugs in Norway have caused the n a cool autumn morn - timers who claim to have wit - Norwegian Food Safety Authority ing last November, a nessed it themselves, of “salmon so to weigh in on its own industry. As group of canoeists thick, you could walk clear across of August 2010 they state the onus from the Tuolumne the river on their backs and barely is on the industry to prove they are River Trust assembled get your feet wet.” Over 100,000 not polluting and have their lice Oalong the banks of the Tuolumne fish annually are estimated to have under control. River near La Grange, California, spawned in the Tuolumne before about 30 miles east of Modesto, as the age of dams. But in recent The solution they have done every year for the years, numbers have dwindled to past ten years. The air was cool such low levels — 200-300 fish — The salmon feedlots are in a and dew glistened on the grass that many biologists and conserva - Catch-22; either they release their while the sun shined with the clear, tionists fear the fish may disap - disease information and take their pale light of late autumn. The pad - pear from the Tuolumne altogeth - place among sustainable seafoods dlers had come to witness one of Continued on next page but risk being found responsible for the sockeye collapse, or they can try and defy all and be content with lower prices. The answer is simple — close the barn door: Order all fish feedlots out of the ocean, no more ill-conceived “fixes” Encourage wise development of Canadian land-based aquaculture to replace the jobs lost from clos - ing ocean feedlots. Allow us to use what we know about wild salmon to restore them to the benefit of BC and Canada. Canada’s mismanagement of the salmon feedlot industry is a build - ing scandal on the world stage.

Members of the Tuolumne River Trust enjoy their annual late autumn Paddle to the Sea. Photo courtesy Tuolumne River Trust THE OSPrEY • ISSUE NO. 67 SEPTEmbEr 2010 19

Continued from previous page to secure additional flows, habitat er. Indeed, last November, a feder - restoration, and other commit - al judge concluded that Chinook ments to improve conditions for salmon are at risk of extirpation fish. The Don Pedro relicensing from the Tuolumne. Meanwhile, begins in early 2011, and many the Central Valley steelhead is list - conservation groups, including the ed as threatened, as the fish strug - Northern California Federation of gle to find cool water in Central Fly Fishers and the Tuolumne Valley streams. River Trust, are getting involved early to improve the health of this A Desperate Situation iconic stream. To learn more about the FERC relicensing Both of these fish have been sub - process and how you can get jected to a battery of harmful fac - involved, please contact Jessie tors over the past 160 years, from Raeder at [email protected] or Tuolumne River. Photo courtesy Tuolumne River Trust gold and gravel mining, to water (415) 882-7252. pollution, to dams and diversions, all of which continue to damage the fish and their habitat. One fac - tor that continually proves prob - To receive The Osprey, please return this coupon with lematic for these fish is the signif - your check made out to The Osprey - FFF icantly reduced water flows released from the dams. In the Central Valley overall, it is esti - THE OSPrEY mated that as much as 70% of his - toric salmon spawning habitat has been lost due to dam construction or dewatering of rivers. The NAME Tuolumne River has lost about 85% of its historic spawning habitat. ADDRESS Meanwhile, in an average year, only about 16% of the Tuolumne’s annual natural runoff is dedicated CITY/STATE/ZIP to fish; the rest is diverted to urban and agricultural uses, is stored in PHONE reservoirs, evaporates, or seeps into the ground. E-Mail

Hope for Improvements I Am a New Subscriber q Send My Copies By E-Mail (PDF Electronic Version) q I Am An Existing Subscriber q Send My Copies by Standard Mail (Hardcopy) q One of the best opportunities to improve flow conditions for fish Yes, I will help protect wild steelhead If you are a new subscriber, how did you hear about The Osprey? comes around once in a lifetime. ❏ $15 Basic Subscription ❏ The license for Don Pedro Dam on ❏ $25 Dedicated Angler Level Friend or fellow angler the Tuolumne River includes rules ❏ $50 For Future Generations of Anglers ❏ Fishing show for operating the facility, including ❏ $100 If I Put Off Donating, My Fish ❏ Fly shop, lodge or guide minimum flow releases from the Might Not Return Home ❏ Another publication.Which? dam, and is granted by the Federal ❏ $ Other, Because ❏ Club or conservation group meeting Energy Regulatory Commission ❏ Other (FERC) for a 50-year period. The dam owners, in this case the I am a . . . The Osprey — Steelhead Committee Turlock and Modesto Irrigation ❏ Citizen Conservationist Federation of Fly Fishers P.O. Box 1688 ❏ Commercial Outfitter/Guide Districts, must go through an Livingston, MT 59047 intensive 5-year relicensing ❏ Professional Natural Resources Mgr. process. Through this process con - ❏ Other Thanks For Your Support servationists have the opportunity Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid PAID THE OSPrEY Bozeman, MT Permit No. 99 Federation of Fly Fishers P.O. box 1688 Livingston, mT 59047

Address Service requested