Vol. 7 No. 1 1994

Fishing operations reflect market for live fish

more as the demand peopled settled." for high quality, live The result is a fishing fish spreads beyond operation that is adapting the Asian market to to new market realities; other consumer there is no doubt that groups. More and fisheries management and more people are the industry are meeting discovering the the demands of that reality delicate flavour of head on. these fish. Rockfish for the live The closest one market are primarily can get to fresh is quillback and copper. alive, and that's These are harvested by what consumers are handlines - a rod, reel asking for. Many and one fishing line, believe the texture sometimes with up to four and nutritional hooks. Yelloweye rockfish quality of a live fish (commonly, but incorrectly is superior to that of called red snapper), among a "fresh" (recently other species, are sold killed) fish. "fresh" and harvested by "It makes sense longlining - a main Handline fisher, Bob when you look at it fishing line which has a Bainas holds rockfish historically,'' says Jerry series of shorter lines catches in a saltwater Lang, of Majestic Seafood attached to it; a baited tank on the boat deck. Products in Vancouver. hook is fastened to each of "Traditionally, in Asia, ~ose large-eyed there was no way to keep a fish swimming languidly in fish fresh. Refrigeration INSIDE the tanks ofVancouver's was virtually non-existent. Chinatown food markets Only if the fish was are having a big influence moving, could freshness be More women on the way the west coast assured. So the fish were fishing hook and line fishers sold live; killed and harvest their catch. cleaned on the spot for the Arctic sojourn The market for BC's consumer. The tradition live rockfish is booming has simply been packed up and promises to grow even and taken wherever Asian Seapen success

Fisheries Pech es l+I and Oceans et Oceans Canada I ensuring a sustainable school well above the fisheries and one that gets uneven bottom. the best economic return The names paint a for the resource. picture: rougheye rockfish, Understanding the darkblotched rockfish, culture of this market is China, redbanded, important, says Tchao. quillback, copper, and "For example, black shortspine thornyhead rockfish doesn't sell well (also known as "idiots"). during the Chinese New To be successful, a Year. Black is considered fisher wanting to make a bad luck. Another custom living in the live rockfish dictates fish to be sold with market faces a number of its head and tail attached. challenges. Rockfish are a Still colourful and very much alive, rockfish at Chong Lee These, like the new year, long-lived fish. DFO Seafood in Chinatown are kept in temperature controlled symbolize a beginning and research biologist Lynne tanks until purchased. an end." Yamanaka has aged For Tchao and others yelloweye from the Queen the shorter lines. market needs, biological in his business, Fishers harvest concerns and enforcement good according to the issues. We now have a plan management Groundfish Hook and Line which addresses most plans are Management Plan, concerns and at the same essential. "I am developed in consultation time, stays within the not speaking with the Groundfish Hook catch limits." solely for and Line Advisory How much the Tri-Star but for Committee. It's a plan that market can absorb is the industry as Jerry Lang says is the best critical. Chinatown, for a whole when I ever. Asked why and he'll example, uses nearly 1000 say we don't answer, "the price is better. kilograms oflive rockfish a want stocks to It's already $2.25 a day and more on be depleted. We kilogram (dollar a pound) weekends, says Francis depend more than last year." Tchao of Tri-Star Seafood on these What makes the Supply Ltd. During resources management plan so Christmas and the Chinese for our different? New year that figure livelihoods." Devona Adams, doubles to nearly 2000 Rockfish management operations kilograms a day. belong to the officer for DFO's "It's very important large Groundfish Management to provide fish to the worldwide Unit says that openings for market on a year-round family fishing are staggered to basis," says Adams. Scorpaenidae. meet the market needs. "Staggered openings in the Some cold ''We said to members of the fishing plan reflect this water species of advisory committee need and avoid flooding the the North (fishers, processors and market with live fish, Pacific waters Service and quality are the order of buyers), "Here's the quota. keeping the prices stable." swim actively the day at food markets such as Chong How do you want to set up It doesn't cost any about in rocky Lee's. Customers pick the fish of their the fishery?" They came more, either, to manage regions of the choice; it is promptly killed, cleaned back with suggestions for the fishery this way. DFO continental and wrapped within minutes. openings sensitive to is, among other things, shelves or

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 2 Charlottes up to 98 years Until the "Keeping them in old. The average age for transport deep water in special this species in the Strait of truck containers keeps the light Georgia is from 25 to 30 arrives, out. That helps keep stress rockfish levels low and the colour years. A one-kilogram are copper or quillback in the suspended high. I also keep the larger Strait of Georgia can be in deep fish separate from the from 15 to 70 years old. water smaller one-kilogram fish Unlike , mfixxJ,qua/il:y (the most desired)." rockfish mate and plastic Transfer to the reproduce every year until wine transport truck is a they die. But it can take drums or meticulous procedure. The years before they reach wire pens fish are handled in small sexual maturity. Some of at the quantities and with great them, depending on the dock. care. Tanks on board the species and the area they trucks are filled with cold live, are fifteen years old water which is kept chilled before they are sexually to increase the oxygen mature. Rockfish, again level, thus slowing down unlike the egg-laying the metabolism of the fish salmon, bear live young. so they are less stressed. Bringing in a Once at the high-quality fish is the key processors/fish buyers, live to success in this business. fish are kept in tanks at Bob Bainas is a handline 3.3°C. It's an expensive fisher. He catches rockfish operation, says Jerry Lang. in the Strait of Georgia for "To sell a quality product, the live market in we have to begin with Chinatown. And he's fussy quality and keep it that about the kind of fish he way." sends to the processor/fish Consumers are buyer . This is a getting the product they low-volume, high-value want. The quality offish is fishery. Live fish sell for to live on." Bainas' philosophy better. Two years ago, says twice the price as a "fresh" On average, he for fishing? "Take care of Lang, I was turning fish fish - a premium the catches close to 200 all the little things along away because of poor consumer is prepared to kilograms a week. He the way and end up with a quality; today those same pay. targets for quillback and quality product." fishers are bringing in the "I like the way I fish," copper rockfish. The little things start best fish ever. • says Bainas. "It's very Maintaining high right at the beginning with controlled, the fish are of quality takes a lot of the type of gear (Bainas the highest quality and I experience and know-how. makes his own and uses fish selectively, on different For example, because of a barbless hooks; its less reefs, and from depths of gas bladder which greatly damaging) to bringing in nine to ninety metres, expands when water the fish, keeping them in harvesting a few fish here pressure decreases, these saltwater tanks on the and few there, never deep water fish need to be boat, to "holding" them putting undue pressure on handled very delicately to once back at the dock. any one area. I take 40 fish avoid injury and death Bainas keeps his catch in a day. That's what I target when brought up to the separate pens hanging because that's what I need surface and on to the boat. deep in the water.

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 3 Chinook rebuilding in the Squamish River By using seapen release facilities for hatchery­ T he Squamish raised chinook smolts, River is one of the three survival is dramatically index rivers ofDFO's improving. Three to ten Chinook Rebuilding times more hatchery Program. The long-term smolts are surviving when task of the program, released into seapens, developed in 1988, is to compared to the number restore and sustain surviving when released spawning escapements to directly into the freshwater all natural chinook of the Squamish River. populations in BC's lower Adult returns of these Strait of Georgia. 'seapen' chinook are also The program focusses an improvement over the on chinook populations in disappointing returns prior Vancouver Island's to seapen operations. Cowichan and N anaimo Fisheries biologists three to four per rivers and the mainland's estimate that about 50 per cent and that, Squamish River. Increases cent of the returns in 1993 according to in spawning escapements were hatchery chinook. fisheries biologists to these areas are being Normally, wild is a fantastic rate. achieved through a joint chinook in the Squamish By May of management plan to: River head out to sea after this year, about • control harvest impacts about a year of rearing. one million and The Squamish is so hatchery chinook • increase the productivity unproductive that it takes smolts were put in the two of these populations that long for wild fry to get seapens. The pens, located Dave Celli, project manager (left) and through new big enough for the journey. in Porteau Cove in Howe Adrian Wall, fish enhancement production. Hatchery-raised fish grow Sound, are 15 metres culturist at Tenderfoot Tenderfoot Creek faster and are able to leave square and six metres Creek Hatchery guide Hatchery on the Squamish the river sooner. The deep. The young chinook chinook smolts up and River is an important part survival rate for these fish are kept in the pens for into what's called a of enhancement efforts. from seapen releases is about two weeks, living on rotating pescalator for a diet of 90 kilograms of transfer to holding fish meal a day. Once tanks. Unlike a fish released, they pump, a pescalator stay in the keeps fish in water the entire time. The truck area for only carries two tanks, each two to three of which hold about days before 60,000 fish. heading out About 500,000 into the Strait chinook ofGeorgia. • transferred to seapens via a 100-metre hose.

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 4 FRASER If FOCUS ------1994 Easing stress on urban streams

Biologist Otto Langer examines The first phase of the project brought Cougar Canyon Creek, an from all levels of important urban stream that together representatives supports coho and chum salmon government and groups such as the Urban in the midst of subdivisions in Development Institute, the Federation of B.C. Surrey and Delta. Naturalists and the Union of B.C. Municipalities to find ways of working together habitat - and on the fish that spawn and to improve stewardship. This is designed to rear on the doorstep of homes and lead to agreements between levels of industries. government, proposed changes to existing 'The Salmon River in Langley is legislation and improved collection and sharing one of the most productive coho of information on sensitive habitat. streams in B.C; the Harrison River alone Up to now, DFO has tried to protect produces one-quarter of the Fraser's habitat through the "referral process," in chinook. The Chilliwack River is another which land development proposals are big producer of coho," says Otto Langer, . reviewed. Plans are submitted by a developer a biologist with the Action to the local municipality. Where aquatic Plan (FRAP), a six-year federal initiative habitat is affected, the proposal is referred to designed to improve the environmental DFO and B.C. Environment. health and fishery resource of this great But there are limitations with the river. One of FRAP's priorities is to find existing system, which is complex and costly. better ways to safeguard embattled As the number of referrals climbs with the urban streams in the face of spiraling pace of development, the system is swamped development. and there are lengthy delays. As well, not all This requires cooperation among municipalities are part of the referrals system. local, regional, provincial and federal Development proposals are often at M any of the Fraser River's richest governments. In one of several urban advanced stages of planning and design when salmon streams flow through the most heavily initiatives, FRAP is co-funding a project with they are reviewed. Required changes or populated and fastest-growing area of the B.C. Environment called Partners in Protecting rejections cause considerable additional basin. These small tributaries clustered Aquatic and Riparian Resources (PPARR). expense for both the developer and the between Vancouver and Hope together FRAP has provided $18,000 so far. municipality. Most significantly for DFO, by the account for a staggering SO per cent of the "PPARR is looking at what we are doing time its biologists are consulted, the land in Fraser's coho salmon stocks, I00 per cent of now to protect streams. What's working and question has already been zoned and its use its chum and significant portions of its pink, what's not working? And how can we do determined by the municipality. Many sockeye and chinook. things more effectively?" Langer explains. The opportunities to protect sensitive fish habitat But increasing development and intention is to prevent, rather than repair, have already been lost. urbanization are putting severe stress on this further damage. As a result, support is growing for a

Peches Fisheries l+I et Oceans and Oceans Canada FRASER FOCUS

pro-active, planning- habitat protection, oriented approach that provide direction to would move the review of developers and ensure projects further ahead in the consistency among municipal planning and development projects. approval process. The Land “DFO has to get Development Guidelines can involved earlier in planning also help land developers to make sure streams are identify problems before protected, to say how development begins and certain developments will suggest solutions or affect water flow and to measures to prevent ensure there are proper negative effects on fish setbacks from streams,” and fish habitat. The use Langer suggests. of the guidelines will help One alternative being to avoid potentially cosdy explored by PPARR is to requirements of provide more consideration A wetland near a Surrey subdivision helps to filter and retain mitigation, restoration of stream protection and excess runoff before it flows into nearby Cougar Canyon Creek. and compensation. environmentally sensitive The stream areas in the drafting of protection measures Official Community Plans, long-range requirements of healthy streams and fish outlined in both documents will be promoted development goals and policies, so that less habitat, outlines the land development process across the province, targeting municipal staff emphasis need be placed on referrals. in B.C. and shows how zoning and Official and elected officials as well as land PPARR is also looking at making more Community Plans can be used to protect fish development, architectural and engineering effective use of existing planning tools, such as habitat and other environmentally sensitive companies. FRAP and B.C. Environment are zoning and bylaw provisions, to protect areas. It also demonstrates how to protect fish developing a training package, including a habitat This includes density bonus zones, and habitat from the damaging effects of land slide show and workshops, to encourage used in some municipalities to create development these audiences to do their part in protecting incentives for developers to protect habitat as These techniques include: fish habitat a condition for allowing higher density on the • leaving untouched the vegetation FRAP staff also plan to present remainder of a site. Another approach is a adjacent to streams that shade and municipal leaders with a model environmental ‘‘joint project review,” in which senior and protect habitat; bylaw, which follows the Land Development local government staff meet regularly to assess • limiting soil erosion and sedimentation Guidelines. The District of North Vancouver proposals for a number of adjacent during and after construction; has already adopted such a bylaw. municipalities. • controlling the rate of runoff to Raising awareness among municipal minimize fluctuations in stream flow; councillors, planners, engineers and private • maintaining access for fish to upstream developers of the need to protect aquatic habitat; and resources is a large part of FRAP’s urban • preventing the discharge of deleterious emphasis. As such, FRAP recently published substances into streams. Stream Stewardship: A Guide for Planners and More technical information on site Developers in partnership with the Habitat development can be found in the Land Action Plan, another Green Plan program, and Development Guidelines, a joint project by DFO the B.C. ministries of Environment and and B.C. Environment A second printing of Municipal Affairs. FRAP’s contribution to date the guidelines and introductory leaflet was is $42,000. funded by FRAP last year. The document is Stream Stewardship describes the intended to set standards and expectations for ESI FRASER FOCUS

Action on demonstration watersheds and projects with First Nations. the Fraser The habitat restoration projects highlighted are but a few of the two dozen underway this year, many depending on cooperation among several parties. Protecting and improving fish habitat is part of FRAP’s goal to rebuild salmon populations. So too is NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Fraser River Action Plan (FRAP) has passed the halfway mark of the development by FRAP staff, including Kaarina and Saito, of a its six-year program to improve the McGivney Wayne environmental health and productivity comprehensive strategy to guide long-term of this rich and valuable watershed. management of all Fraser salmon. Fishing “Through FRAP, we have made groups and stakeholders are being consulted significant progress over the past three for their input. BRITISH COI . MRIA years in restoring fish habitat, improving Science projects like that on the scientific knowledge and developing Horsefly River are continuing to collect data that are crucial to the effective management of ALBERTA integrated plans to rebuild salmon stocks and protect sensitive streams the valuable Fraser fishery resource. Mapping and wetlands," says Al Lill, direaor of and collection of data on streams and wetlands the Fraser River Action Plan at the will be stepped up this year to help biologists Department of Fisheries and Oceans. protea critical habitat And a strategy is being DFO biologists, engineers and other developed to improve water quality in the staff work closely with colleagues at basin. Environment Canada to carry out this FRAP is the federal government’s joint federal initiative, with each response to concerns, from citizens to scientists, that the Fraser River and its PACIFIC OCEAN department focusing on its area of USA expertise. drainage basin are at a critical point. A FRAP comprises a multitude of burgeoning population, expected to grow 50 , projects that together aim to protect per cent over the next 20 years and growing the Fraser basin for future generations. Within economic development intensify pressure on ’ DFO COMMUNITY ADVISERS that vision are three main objectives: to clean the basin s environment. FRAP was launched Sam Gidora, West Vancouver and Howe up pollution; to restore productivity, including to take action now before it is too late. Citizens, as individuals or as members Sound - 666-6325 doubling the river’s salmon populations within , 20 years; and to develop a long-term of corporations and community groups are Mark Johnson, Burrard Inlet and Indian ’ management program with all stakeholders to also stewards of the Fraser s resources. A Arm 666-0743 - ensure the basin’s sustainability. The projects DFO community adviser can provide on to Maurice Coulter-Boisvert, north side of described in Fraser Focus are examples of the information how get involved in local Fraser to Boston Bar - 666-2870 activities underway from the mouth of the salmon enhancement projects and river to B.C.’s interior. Streamkeepers, a program that trains and Joe Kambeitz, south side of Fraser to The urban initiatives led by FRAP supports citizens in watershed conservation Boston Bar - 666-0742 biologist Otto Langer demonstrate one of the and restoration. Dennis Demontier - Central Interior to program’s goals to improve cooperation 100 Mile House - 374-9533 among federal, provincial and municipal and other stakeholders to Roy Argue - Central Interior north of governments safeguard the Fraser’s resources. FRAP is also 100 Mile House - 561-5533 forging partnerships through the Gary Taccogna - Streamkeepers multi-stakeholder Fraser Basin Management coordinator - 666-3662 Board, provincial land-use planning, ESS FRASER FOCUS

three-way partnership forged last year in Expansion plans for rare slough another FRAP effort The partners rebuilt marshes and stabilized banks to protea “Few areas remain of vegetation along a 520-metre stretch of this typical estuary habitat, foreshore at the western edge of the Burnaby where water moves in and Fraser Foreshore Park. The work improved an out freely. What usually estimated 5,500 square metres of habitat for remains is a corridor of salmon fry. Burnaby plans to develop a natural, river controlled by dikes,” linear park along the western bank of its explains DFO biologist floodplain, known as Big Bend, that will Kevin Conlin, who helped connect the new slough habitat with the design the restoration. "The rebuilt marsh. work will deepen parts of FRAP is expanding activities in the the existing slough and estuary in recognition of its importance to extend it further inland, salmon. About one billion salmon fry a year greatly increasing the habitat migrate through the estuary on their way to being is on the western the number of fish that The slough habitat restored and , from tip of salt water - resting, feeding hiding flank of the natural area at the southern can use the area. Water Burnaby's floodplain ( bottom right ). predators and acclimatizing to a marine flow in and out of the slough environment. ." will also be improved FRAP is also funding a $15,000 projea Work on the two-year project begins Slough: this year at Woods Island (near Vancouver this summer. The installation of culverts under International Airport) to connea an existing the dikes will allow fry better access to the a swamp, slough with a newly developed slough. This , Conlin adds. Transplanting of sedge, a slough will improve access by fish to both sloughs and type of marsh plant, into the new habitat to a muddy place. improve water flow through them. revegetation will begin next year. speed up As well, $25,000 from FRAP and The site, owned by the City of Burnaby, funding from the Fraser River Harbour is about 17 hectares, of which 3.5 hectares, or Commission is supporting a pilot projea in the definition of a slough 20 per cent, is being developed into a dictionary estuary near the city of New Westminsters , but to a young salmon continuous network of backwater slough does not sound inviting Sapperton Bar, between the Patullo and Port an is a habitat Burnaby is also contributing $50,000 en route to the ocean estuary slough Mann bridges. The projea is testing the feed and incorporating the slough in its plans to choice place to rest and . feasibility of building up part of the area’s comprises create a natural park at the site - with trails, A typical estuary slough sandbar to create islands. , and and picnic areas. bottomland forest vegetation marsh birdwatching These islands, which would be built in out Also cooperating is the North Fraser mudflat - where the water drifts in and partnership with industry using material from to sea like Harbour Commission, continuing a successful with the tides. Salmon fry migrating previous dredging of the river, would be the shallow, protected waters and the plentiful developed as fish habitat through the planting the marsh. insects that develop among ' 35» of trees and marsh vegetation and the creation have Unfortunately, such intertidal sloughs * of backwater sloughs. One island will be built , HI’ become rare in the Fraser estuary a casualty y > this fall and, if successful, industry may take control to urban development and flood- over the projea and build up to five more. diking. _ A*-- ^. mt ' At the southern tip of the Burnaby .•,- v: 'Safe T.r floodplain, which bulges into the north arm of the Fraser estuary, the Fraser River Action Marsh is transplanted in another Plan is putting $50,000 into restoring one of FRAP project along Burnaby's that will be linked to the new the last backwater sloughs in that part of the foreshore slough habitat by a shoreline walk. river. It is one of more than 20 habitat restoration projects in 1994-95 under FRAP.

4A FRASER FOCUS

Sharing water in joins the Nicola River downstream of the pipeline to bring irrigation water to farms and town of Merritt. Critically low water flow ranches growing hay crops on the Lower B.C.’s dry interior during the summer has been a long-standing Nicola Indian Band territory to the east of the problem in the Guichon and hampers the creek. The project involves working in creek’s ability to support fish. Although cooperation with the Native band and B.C. estimates indicate Guichon can support about Environment Future ditch replacements likely to land to the west of uring the hot, parched summers 250 returning steelhead adults and 1,200 coho would involve pipelines on the Thompson Plateau in B.C.’s southern adults, these fish runs have plunged in recent Guichon Creek. A screen on the pipeline’s interior, the streams of the Nicola River years, says DFO biologist Mel Sheng. The installed from in watershed serve as a source of irrigation creek could also provide good habitat for intake would prevent fry being swept trout lost Access to the then unused ditches water for many farms and ranches. But this chinook salmon and rainbow . and " be blocked The work, to irrigation often leaves little water in the Sometimes adult chinook cannot get would also . begin fall, is to take two to three streams for fish. up Guichon Creek to spawn in late August. this expected Most Nicola Valley farmers and Coho, chinook and rainbow trout fry moving seasons to complete. ranchers use an open-ditch irrigation system, downstream in spring and summer get " , in which large amounts of water are lost to stranded in the ditches and die, says Sheng ground seepage and evaporation. noting that losses of young salmon have been a "Because of the huge losses, extra concern for many years. The fry are swept water must be taken out of the streams in into the unscreened irrigation ditches or are order to get enough for irrigation. And the attracted to the quiet ditch habitat for rearing and are unable to return to the creek. peak irrigation time is in the driest months of FRAP is busy in the Nicola River To combat this problem, FRAP is August and September, when river water watershed. Other activities include: levels are already low,’’ explains Ian Ross, one contributing up to $400,000 this year to more efficiently extract irrigation water from of the DFO engineers designing a FRAP A demonstration watershed project to conserve water for fish in one part Guichon Creek - within the volumes project in which planning of the Nicola watershed by helping to improve permitted by the existing water licences - and community-based seeks to land and retain sufficient water for spawning and rearing resolve the efficiency of irrigation. water-use conflicts. FRAP is The project’s target is the potentially fish. One solution being considered is to providing support and funding productive tributary of Guichon Creek, which replace two existing ditches with one enclosed to the Nicola Watershed Community Round Table - a citizens * planning group representing varying interests such as ranching, forestry and First Nations - to conduct public meetings, hire a watershed coordinator and establish a watershed resource centre. Improvement of bird and fish habitat on ranches bordering the Nicola River in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and private landowners. Co-management projects by Native groups under the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy. These include efforts to improve habitat, monitor catches and assess stocks on salmon-bearing streams that run through reserve lands.

Guichon Creek runs high during a visit this spring by DFO engineer Ed WIH ) (left ) and B.C. Environment biologist Steve Maride.

IÆ1 FRASER FOCUS

ensure the release of sufficient water from the mainstem favoured by over-wintering were high. Reclaiming the Coquitlam Dam to protect the rivers coho, winter losses of juveniles and ponds is lost habitat remaining fish and habitat. Therefore, restoring the channels FRAP and BC Hydro have each expected to increase coho survival by about committed $30,000 in 1994-95, which will be 5,000 smolts a year. ’s construction directed at two sites. On the east bank of the This adds to last year river, near the River Springs housing under FRAP of two side-channels with of uman activities have taken a toll development, rehabilitation of a blocked adjoining ponds in a previously dry section , in with on the Coquitlam River. A dam built in 1914 channel leading from the river to a series of the upper river. The work partnership , about 11,000 sq. metres of diverted most of the river’s water flow for ponds will increase spawning and rearing BC Hydro created is to produce an electricity and cut off from habitat. The one-kilometre channel has had new habitat that expected , smolts and 25,000 chum their rearing habitat in Coquitlam Lake. no water flow for about 30 years. additional 5 200 coho Riverside dikes prevented fish from entering Residents are supporting the work, salmon fry a year. critical habitat in channels off the mainstem. with the River Springs strata community Gravel pit operations along the river caused contributing $8,000. The City of Coquitlam, heavy siltation of the water, which has helped hampering salmon egg and move the project As part of an effort to expand habitat downstream , FRAP is launching a new project fry survival. Mining of the forward, owns the of hydro dams this year on the Alouette River. As on the ’ through river s own gravel 30 to 40 parkland Coquitlam River, BC Hydro is a partner, providing years ago even cost it some which much of the sufficient water flows from the Alouette Dam for and matching FRAP with spawning beds. channel runs. the restored habitat $30,000 in funding. “The Coquitlam River “The channel , rises in Golden Ears is one of the most degraded will be excavated and The scenic river which Provincial Park 40 km east of Vancouver, has, like in the Lower a water intake streams the Coquitlam, lost its sockeye and chinook runs. Mainland," says Matt Foy, a installed to open up A hatchery run by the Alouette River Correctional DFO biologist who is leading water flow and fish Centre releases chum, coho, steelhead and cutthroat trout smolts. a second year of efforts access,’’ explains Foy. under the Fraser River “Some new gravel “The Alouette’s runs have strengthened recently,” says biologist Foy. “It’s one of the busiest sport Action Plan to restore lost will be brought in to fishing rivers in the Lower Mainland with anglers spawning fish habitat on the Coquitlam improve catching coho salmon and cutthroat trout in the fall River. beds. Hiding areas for and steelhead in the winter and spring.” ’ , fry will be added by The river s pink The FRAP project includes building a side-channel Matt Foy (right ) helps install a sockeye and chinook salmon placing root wads, in the upper Alouette, creating an estimated 3,000 water intake structure, which debris sq. metres of spawning habitat and producing about runs are extinct But there keeps out gravel and debris while large woody 350,000 chum and the same number of pink small populations of improving water flow into a and tree stumps in are still salmon fry a year, resulting in about 4,900 returning side channel. coho, chum and steelhead - the channel and adult chum and 8,500 adult pink. Also being salmon and cutthroat and ponds." created is 5,000 sq. metres of off-channel pond habitat further downstream, which is expected to rainbow trout The survival The other site is upstream at the produce 2,500 additional coho smolts, or 375 in , where a of some of these stocks is thanks large part Upper Coquitlam River Park adults, as well as benefit trout. to the release of fry by a hatchery operated by side-channel leading to a single pond receives Modifications are also planned to an existing District Hunting and water Work there is creating the Port Coquitlam and mainly seepage . side-channel downstream of the 232nd Street fishing Club and DFO’s Salmonid Enhancement more stable water flows from the river. This bridge on the Alouette River to improve water for rearing coho and trout And Program. is expected to increase the amount of flows to ponds B.C. Hydro is cleaning out and expanding an is designed to and rearing habitat by The FRAP project available spawning overflowing settling basin that collects sand and silt reclaim lost habitat off the river’s mainstem about 10,000 square metres. from Mud Creek before it enters the Alouette. and to give the river’s struggling fish a The habitat is of particular value to much-needed boost Foy explains. The habitat coho, who rear a full year in small streams improvements will also take advantage of an before heading out to sea in the spring. But agreement signed with BC Hydro that will since the Coquitlam River had little habitat off E3 FRASER FOCUS

High-techhelp for age-old rite

. , , manipulating, analysing and T T ith amazing determination to and Ray Lauzier, both DFO habitat biologists entering storing w , or spatial data.” , from Germany displaying geographic survive, sockeye salmon populations in the Katiya Bach a Ph.D. student , at It’s this technology, combined with the Horsefly River of B.C.’s interior are and Arthur Roberts an assistant professor ’ , are infra red camera work for remote sensing that rebounding at a remarkable pace. But that’s B.C. s Simon Fraser University - in remote sensing Williams and his team are using on the not without the help of fisheries biologists contributing their expertise applying old-fashioned hard work and new technology. Horsefly. the river’s sockeye run to combinations of high-tech expertise. Williams started working with salmon Rebuilding levels is fast becoming a reality. With airborne remote sensing tools, in the Horsefly (part of the previous high the 1993, about 13 million sockeye swam back some of the mystery locked in B.C.’s salmon system) 30 years ago. He has travelled In to spawn. Three million of spawning rivers is unfolding. Mapping and river through time, floating its surface in a to the Horsefly in waders these escaped the commercial, Native and monitoring fish habitat to estimate the rubber boat, tramping its shores hip- red fisheries to spawn and set the cycle for spawning potential of the river has taken to and now studying its depths with an infra- sport and of sockeye. With those the air, literally adding another dimension to a camera from a small aircraft. Stream walks future generations ’ , produced over one-half fisheries biologist’s job. working a river by boat aren t necessarily numbers the Horsefly the in the Fraser River system. Ian Williams, a fisheries biologist with being abandoned, but research is moving away of all sockeye Williams believes the numbers can be even DFO, is heading a team of biologists and from the two-dimensional world of paper of remote sensing experts in a research project maps to the three-dimensional world greater. , four million that focuses on the river’s productive capacity. computers and a GIS. “In 1909 approximately to the system," The project is funded under the Fraser River GIS stands for Geographic Information sockeye returned Quesnel Williams. “Then the 1913 Hells Gate rock Action Plan. The team includes Tom Brown System, which is basically a “system for says

Ground truthing - measuring the river depth by hand is the first step in mapping the Horsefly River by remote sensing technology. Here, research team member Katiya Bach, from Germany, measures water depths at one-metre transects. FRASER FOCUS

slide all but wiped out the salmon runs in the depths. Aerial images produce values (degrees of upper Fraser River. Rebuilding efforts over the different reflective for decades saved them. But still, by the early 40s light reflected off the water) water The there were only about 2,000 sockeye in the different depths of . Horsefly. A combination of events put this run methodology is being developed at Sensing Laboratory at at risk. A dam built on the river blocked the Remote first thousands of fish from the spawning grounds Simon Fraser University. The and placer mining operations buried the step was to hand measure water river in one-metre all-important spawning gravel with metres of depths across the , aerial silt The once-productive lower spawning transects. As a second step taken. grounds were destroyed. In addition, fish photographs of this line were at each habitat in the upper part of the river suffered, The hand-measured depths to the reflective although only in minor ways, from agricultural metre were matched of the and forestry activities. People didn’t think value in the photo. A third part whole twice about driving heavy equipment and project was to photograph the trucks through the river, destroying important sections of the river and digitize use. At this spawning beds and the necessary river bank images for computer can calculate water vegetation.” stage, computers value To rebuild the stocks, it is not enough depths using the reflective given that more salmon be allowed to escape the to the images. team has also used fisheries to spawn. Greater escapements are The of data only effective if the river is able to support airborne imagery and years atlas of the them. For the salmon, productivity depends, in collection to develop an the relationships among , part, on the amount of spawning gravel river showing Ian William#, DFO fisheries biologist , density and heads the team investigating the available. Remote sensing comes into play in fish distribution fish productive capacity of the Horsefly is in the near-shore vegetation species. finding out how much spawning gravel River for sockeye salmon. the remote river and how the fish use it Aerial photos It is hoped that carried out on the taken at the peak of last fall’s spawning were sensing work being can be applied to rivers referenced to geographic points on a map Horsefly River B.C The use of these enabling Williams to analyze the gravel the fish elsewhere in . the to provide were occupying and calculate the square technologies has potential and biologists with the metres of spawning gravel. fisheries managers so necessary Spawning grounds alone, though, don’t accurate and timely information Produced by: the right decisions in this guarantee more salmon. Water levels, winter for making temperatures, rearing areas and flooding all environment Fraser River Action Plan play major parts in the life cycle. 1220-555 West Hastings St. ‘‘We know that water levels in certain Vancouver, BC and when areas of this river drop in winter V6B 5G3 they do, they could affect spawning success. We need to know which areas are susceptible to freezing. This may be a significant factor in the river’s productive capacity." Another factor is the capacity of nearby to support juvenile sockeye, which feed and grow in the lake for about one year before migrating to sea. Remote sensing is being tested for its effectiveness in measuring the river’s water Icebreakers lead expedition into the Arctic oo Arctic Ocean requires The icebreakers will enter the study as a system, it is Arctic Ocean from the critical that all scientific northeastern Chukchi Sea and proceed northward across the research is carried out Canadian and Makarov together at the same time. basins. The track will cross the The sampling and Lomonosov Ridge near the laboratory equipment, Pole, and return to the space and support needed Chuckchi Sea via the eastern for this requires the major Eurasian Basin. facilities only available on very large vessels. There is growing 90°E 90°W international concern that the Arctic has been "If we can increase polluted by contaminants our knowledge about the such as heavy metals and processes at work in the organochlorine compounds Arctic we will have a vital (pesticides, PCBs). Our key to understanding and belief of the Arctic as a predicting the magnitude pristine environment has and consequences of global been shattered; not only change," says Dr. Ed have pollutants been Carn1ack, a physical added directly to the oceanographer from DFO's Arctic, they are also Institute of Ocean Sciences carried there by the (IOS) in Sidney, BC, and atmosphere, rivers, senior Canadian scientist sediment, sea ice and on the expedition. currents. Dr. Robie The expedition, Macdonald, a chemical OnJuly 24 this change, it remains the known as the US/Canada oceanographer from the year, over 60 scientists least known part of the 1994 Arctic Ocean Section Institute (IOS) is the from Canada and the U.S. global ocean. Scientific or ARCTIC 94, brings leader of the contaminant began a 55-day research models upon which global together a multi­ chemistry research team sojourn into the land of ice change predictions are disciplinary team from which will collect data on to probe the mysteries of based are virtually over 20 U.S. and Canadian contaminants in the water, the Arctic Ocean. It's the unverified. institutions. Each country ice and sediments. first North American The urgency to learn is also providing its largest In the Arctic Ocean's expedition of its type to more is underscored largest basin, the study the role of the Arctic by recent scientific 4000-metre-deep Ocean in global climate findings that Belief that the Arctic is a Canadian Basin, change. suggest that all pristine environment has there are at least During this aspects of global seven layers of water, expedition, scientists will change would be been shattered one on top of the travel 6,600 kilometres amplified in the other, that mix very across the Arctic Ocean, Arctic. For example, little with one exploring one of the last within the Arctic Ocean, and most capable another. Each layer frontiers on earth. global warming over the icebreakers - the originates from a different While we now know next 30 to 50 years is Canadian Coast Guard's place and each moves that the Arctic Ocean plays expected to be two to four LOUIS S. ST. LAURENT through the Arctic at a a key role in the processes times the global average­ and the U.S. Coast Guard's different rate. The responsible for climate anywhere from 2 to 16°C. POLAR SEA. Because the Canadian Basin is the only

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 5 ocean basin for which an sediment cores on the several universities. know the Arctic Ocean oceanographic transect has seafloor to complete a Almost 100 years ago the didn't happen very soon at never been done. Dr. climatic history of the Norwegian oceanographer, all, but with ARCTIC 94, Carmack and Dr. Knut Arctic covering 2.6 million Fridjtof Nansen predicted his words will at last begin Aagaard from the years. This will enable that the Arctic Ocean to ring true. • University of Washington scientists to distinguish would soon become one of head the team studying between changes that are the world's best known circulation and chemistry. part of the Arctic's ongoing oceans. He was wrong, They want to learn, for climatic cycle and those exploring and getting to example, how fast a layer caused by humans. of water; such as the layer Local knowledge of which comes from the the area is invaluable to Breaking the ice continental shelf off the researchers The Russia, and which is planners of ARCTIC 94 thought to earry plan to have an Inuit elder contaminants, enters the and student participate in U nlike the research teams and area and whether the expedition. Scientists Antarctic, which is 90 search-and-rescue efforts. contaminants settle out or will use their expertise in per cent ice-free in the The ship has been circulate to other parts of working on the ice. They summer, ice in the operating since 1969 and the Arctic Ocean. want to take advantage of Arctic Ocean averages has just undergone an Scientists on the traditional knowledge of three metres thick extensive refit that expedition will also explore ice, for instance have them year-round and can lengthened the vessel to the sea ice. Knowing its compare summer ice exceed 30 metres in 120 metres and increased shapes, forms and how it conditions where they live some places. its cruising range from changes and moves with ice being observed The Canadian 10,000 to 26,000 nautical through the Arctic Ocean during the expedition. Coast Guard's LOUIS miles. In addition to the is important in "The mandate to S. ST. LAURENT and scientific staff on board, understanding how carry out this research the U.S. Coast Guard's the ship has a crew of 66. different kinds of ice carry does not rest with one POLAR SEA have the The ideal icebreaker sediments and possibly single government or tremendous drive mission breaks as little contaminants through the agency," says Dr. Carmack. needed to push their ice as possible. Skirting Arctic Ocean. Some kinds "Cooperation among a way through the ice. thick ice or avoiding ice of ice develop thaw holes, number of agencies on both Both ships can steam at altogether by taking which allow sediments to sides of the border is the a steady three knots (6 advantage of open water, stream into the water foundation of this kilometres per hour) saves fuel and time on below as the ice moves. expedition." through two metres of icebreaker journeys. The Still other conditions cause Along with ten others unbroken sea ice and by latest ice navigation ice and sediments to form from the Institute of Ocean repeated backing and methods will be used and pellets that may remain on Sciences, scientists from ramming, can break refined on this expedition. the surface until the entire Canada include those from through ice ridges more Satellite data, for floe melts. the Department of than six metres thick. instance, can provide Other studies involve Fisheries and Oceans, Under Captain valuable information oceanographers, ice Environment Canada and Philip Grandy, the about the easiest routes physicists and atmospheric the Department of Indian CCGS LOUIS S. ST. but is complicated by scientists who will collect and Northern Affairs. LAURENT resupplies such things as melt measurements they can all From the United States northern settlements puddles (pools of water use to understand how the are scientists from the US and military outposts that overlay ice) and word's heat budget is National Science and provides icebreaker snow cover. • affected as the Arctic ice Foundation Office of Naval assistance for freezes and melts. Research, the US commercial shipping, Geologists will collect Geological Survey and

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 6 Female fishers bite the hook ever since-in the rich women are becoming an waters ofBC's Barkley increasingly important E 62ofJean Sound, in Mexico and New part of the recreational McMillan's 66 years, she's Zealand and off the Great fishing scene," says Tom had a love affair with Barrier Reef. Bird, chief ofDFO's fishing - one that began Women have always Recreational Fisheries with long hot family fished, so Jean's love is not Division. summers of fishing in that rare. What is unusual, Women are good at Bamfield, BC, off the west though, and new, is the fishing, too. Fishing guides coast of Vancouver Island. rapidly growing numbers often say "women are our Except of women taking up the most enjoyable clients, for time rod and reel. No longer they have a greater given to simply cleaning the fish interest in the fishing five the ''boys" bring in, women experience, and listen and babies, are joining the ranks in a learn, and that tends to she's sport more commonly make them better anglers." been associated with men. It's been said that some of fishing "It is obvious that the greatest fly fishers in the world are women. It's hard to know when fact stops and fiction starts, but one only has to look through the World Record Game Fishes published by the International Game Fish Association, to

To most of the women in the tournament, catching a fish was a bonus; being out on the water, sighting eagles, porpoises and other marine creatures-the whole experience of fishing is what draws them. There's always one or two, however, that "didn't get away" - a nice catch for Janet Jackson ofDelta and two chinook for Janet Roux of 100 Mile House. Both women arefromBC.

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 7 see the increase in female shine, and out in the boats is the real joy. says Tom Bird. "There is world record holders in for four to five hours. A The scenery in no question that values are freshwater, saltwater and good-sized storm on the Discovery Pass is, as one changing. Many people are fly fishing. second day brought cold angler put it, "simply enjoying the total angling Evidence of this could rain, biting wind and gorgeous." On one experience, and similar to also be seen early this incredibly rough water, but particular day , about 200 freshwater fisheries, catch spring when 100 women it didn't keep anyone in, porpoises were seen. To and release is gaining turned up for three days of despite the fact that few many, the water itself was favour in the tidal sport salmon fishing in Campbell fish were caught. On the outstanding feature - fishery. There are River, BC. another day, the elements the tides and eddies - all discussions underway with Proud of it's were kinder and the fish the more magical with various derby organizers to reputation as a salmon were biting enough to eagles soaring above. try some pilot catch and sport fishing centre of the bring in the prize of the It's this environment release events. Fish stocks world, the area also boasts tournament - a 19 1/2 lb. that brings so many people need not be threatened if the luxurious Painter's chinook. - men and women - out to fishing is controlled and Lodge fishing resort. This Regardless of fish. And it's an carried out in areas where year, for the second time, occupation, all were lured environment that most there are no conservation the resort held its annual by the fish and the want to protect. Many problems." • women's salmon fishing experience. A bartender anglers today are tournament. With every from BC was as keen as concerned about the ethics guide and every boat was a dean from the of catchil}g a lot of fish. booked, there were many Fashion Institute of Design "Limit your catch, don't who couldn't take part and in Los Angeles. Almost all, catch your limit" may had to be content with from secretaries, dentists, sound a bit corny, but it's a booking a place for next interior decorators, sentiment voiced more and year. housewives, and chartered more. The women came accountants to small "As part of the from all over, mothers and business owners, agreed on emerging conservation daughters, sisters and the one thing that most ethic, there is concern friends, from as close as anglers believe: catching a about fishing tournaments other Vancouver Island fish is a bonus; it's being and the impact these towns, to as far away as out there on the water that might have on fish stocks,'' Ontario and Texas. Ages were just as diverse, with the youngest angler in her Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pos1es Post Ganada twenties with no fishing 555 West Hastings Street / Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3 Bulk Ennombre 1 1~1 1 third troisieme experience to women with class classe Published and produced by: a lot of savvy in their 60s Communications Branch, 4297 and 70s. The oldest Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Pacific Region Return postage guaranteed participant, Trudy 555 West Hastings Street, Schuckert, is 81 and a Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5G3 trout fisher for many Writer: Susan Stitt ( years. She drove to BC Design: Roberta Fedoruk Articles may be reprinted with from Three Rivers, permission. Aussi disponible California to match her sous le titre Courants du Cl 1~3'/lJ Pacifique L I:t:Pf.1HY skill once again against the © Minister of Public Works a nd famous chinook salmon. Government Services 1994 PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION Cat. No. Fs2-10 I Vol.7 No.1 I E These were women ISSN 0840-6480 H(1MMUND BP,Y HD serious about fishing. They l•I NANAIMO BC U~R 5K~ were up and on the dock at five each morning, rain or Cana da

Pacific TIDINGS, P. 8