FISH CULTURE DEVELOPMENT A Report of the Fish Culture Development Branch of the Conservation and Development Service , 1950 Reprinted from the Twenty.-first Annual Report of the Department of Fisheries of Canada FISH CULTURE DEVELOPMENT ITH fisheries, as with other natural resources capable of self-perpetuation, W conservation is of prime concern. Since fish is a "free" resource, man may catch too many, and deplete the stocks to a point where fishing is no longer profit, able. Therefore, controls are necessary to permit the fisherman to take the maxi­ mum catches on a continuing year after year basis. In the broad analysis Canada follows two definite courses of conservation: 1. The enforcement of various types of catch restrictions to ensure sufficient natural seeding for a sustained maximum yield. 2. To apply where possible, cultural methods of all types both to improve environmental conditions for natural propagation and also to use artificial methods in cases where an aid is needed. The Department's work in this connection is carried out by the newly-formed Conservation and Development Service. One branch of the Service-the Protec­ tion Branch-directs the work of the Protection Officers on both coasts. Another branch of the Service-the Fish Culture Development Branch-is responsible for the construction of fishways to enable fish to by-pass darn:s and fqr the maintenance of hatcheries to re-stock waters in federally administered areas. These two services are closely integrated. The Protection Officers enforce the regulations pertaining to restricted areas, closed seasons, limitations in location and types of gear. · But they are generally responsible for the welfare of the fishery resources in their particufar districts. They inspect spawning streams, clear them of minor obstructions and report regularly on certain conditions affecting the fish. The Protection Officers work closely with the biological-engineering staff of the . Fish Culture Development Branch when the special services of the latter unit are required. The Department's fish culture development programme in the field continued to expand during the fiscal year 1950-51. Engineering-biological work includes strea,m improvement and management, fertilization of waters and predator control. Expenditures, exclusive of oyster culture, totalled $626,294 in 1950-51. The work of the engineers falls into two main categories; the conditioning of streams and dams to allow the free passage of fish to and from the natural nursery areas, and the design, construction and maintenance of Federal fish hatcheries Fish culture development in British Columbia is concentrated on the salmon fisheries. The Pacific salmon is a highly valuable enterprise, having a marketed value of close to $50 million a year. Because· of high consumer demands, salmon are intensely sought by a highly organized fishing industry. Since they enter coastal waters and river mouths in vast numbers on their way to spawning grounds, they ;i.re caught in great quantities. Wise management of this natural heritage is required if it is to continue to yield high catches. This involves the control over fishing through regulations based soundly on results of biological investigations, but also calls for much attention to streams and rivers used for spawning. 3 54146-2 Fish culture work in the Pacific area during the year was divided into two phases. The first was the improvement of natural spawning streams to increase the productivity of salmon, and the second was the investigation of new industrial water-use projects and the design of fish protective measures to maintain the productivity of salmon. Under the first phase, a major engineering project was undertaken by the Department when fishways on the Bulkley River at Moricetown Falls were built. The fishways are of reinforced concrete and structural steel design, and incorporate the newest vertical-slot bafl:les, which were checked and tested for this installation in the University of British Columbia hydraulics laboratory. Repairs and additions to the Skutz Falls fishway on the Cowichan River were also made. The existing fishway at this natural obstruction is the weir type, and could only be properly regulated at hmited water levels which did not always correspond to those at the time of migration of salmon. The extra baflles added to the upstream end greatly alleviated this difficulty. Biological investigations were made during the year at Sproat Falls on the Sproat River and at Karmutsen Falls on the Nimpkish River. These points were reported to be natural obstructions which seriously endangered the two largest sockeye runs on Vancouver Island. The resulting biological reports on these points indicated that definite obstructions existed of varying intensity, and plans were drawn up for a fishway to alleviate the worst ~ondition which was at Sproat Falls. In the meantime, investigations were continued at Karmutsen Falls. Clearance of natural obstructions consisting mainly of log jams was continued on streams tributary to Babine Lake. The work was designed mainly as a follow-up or maintenance programme for streams cleared the year before. There was evidence of good results from the previous year's work, and it was decided to expand the work to other streams in the following years. The regular programme of stream clearance conducted each year by the Fishery Officers was again continued. Virtually all small log jams and similar obstructions have been regularly handled in this manner, freeing engineering personnel for the more intricate technical problems which continually arise. The steady increase in the expansion of industry in British Columbia was · responsible for the creation of many fisheries problems. Industrial projects involving use of water from salmon producing streams were investigated in all stages from preliminary proposals to actual construction. Wherever possible biological surveys of natural conditions before construction were made, so that a complete assessment of the problem would be possible. Each development was then analysed and followed through by engineers and biologists in co-operation, and recommendations made as to the best method of conserving the salmon resource. Following this pattern, biological suveys were continued on the Nechako River, Kemano River, Nanika River, and Morice River, and the plans for a hydro­ electric project in this area, as far as they were known, were studied. A solution of the fisheries problems involved was tentatively arrived at. A considerable part of this work was done in co-operation with personnel of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission. 4 A biological investigation was carried out on the Quesnel River spring salmon runs, be~ause of the public announcement of a proposed hydro.:electric project on this river. Engineering studies of this project were also advanced co-operatively with the engineers of the ·International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission, with a view to suggesting alternative developments which would be less harmful to the fisheries. Biological and engineering investigations of the proposed high level dam on the Capilano River were started in co-operation with technical personnel of the British Columbia Game Commission. Investigations of the proposed hydro,electric project on Jones (Wahleach) Creek were continued, and discussions with the company planning the project were held to protect the fishery resource. The salvage programme for spring salmon below the Bridge River diversion dam was continued by the biological staff. A small station was built to eye the eggs taken from ripened females before planting in other streams. Capacity of the eyeing station was one million eggs, and the drip incubator method was used to conserve space. The egg take in 1950 was 390,000 of which 340,000 were placed in the hatchery and the remaining 50,000 were planted green in the Yalakom River. Of the former group, 200,500 reached the eyed stage and were planted in Gates Creek. An engineer and biologist were stationed permanently in both the Prince Rupert and Nanaimo Regional Offices to make technical advice readily available to the Regional Supervisors at all times, as well as to further the long range technical programme by having technicians continuously in each District to familiarize themselves with local problems In the Maritime provinces, the engineering staff completed several important projects directed particularly to developing the stocks of Atlantic salmon. This fish, while less important industrially than the Pacific species, contributes to the earnings of commercial fishermen and is of value to all Maritime provinces as an attraction to sport :fishermen from both Canada and the United States. A fish ladder was constructed over the Jordan Sanatorium Dam in the Pollet River, N.B., to be used to obtain information on homing of salmon which are marked· as smolts in the experimental area. This ladder differs in baffle design and incor­ porates a trap and pound at its upper end where biOlogists can count and retain ascending salmon as desired. Another :fishway was constructed at Forest City, ' Grand Lake, N.B. Several projects were completed by private companies under the supervision of Departmental engineers-concrete evidence of the co,operation being given the Department by pulp and paper and power companies in keeping streams open to migratory fish. Among these projects were the extension of the Conquerall Mill fish ladder on the Petite Riviere, N.S.; the installation of a new control gate on the headworks of the Ruth Falls fishway on the East River, N.S., and the installation of a new control gate on the fish ladder at Nictaux Falls, N.S. The exit of the St. George fishway on the Magaguadavic River, N.B., was redesigned to accommodate the greater variation in water level resulting from recent additions to the dam. 5 54146-2! One of the largest fish ladders in the Maritime provinces was completed and put in operation onthe Mersey River, N.S. Repairs were made to fishways on the Tusket and Gaspereau rivers in Nova Scotia.