-~---· CONFIDENTIAL '. \.. ,I ··~·
A.SUMMARY ON THE STATUS OF SALMON STOCKS INDIGENOUS TO STREAMS ORIGINATING ON THE CANADIAN SIDE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER BETWEEN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THE ALASKA PANHANDLE
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U8RAl'{Y C''-'::n•c':i" , , , , FI ~· ,_1,,c.. : , (\f'C:-o'\•) C'ANAOll 4C '·, ·· ·- - · ,I'\ "' · J • - - ) \ ST v~N,...~u, .. --. . i-1 \JV v·t/·.. .. ~·»l' Department of Fisheries of Canada Vancouver, B. c. September, 1965 ' ' '• CONFIDENTIAL INTRODUCTION That portion of Brit~sh Columbia and the Yukon Territol'Y' situated immediately inland of the Alaska Panhandle gives rise to six major river systems. These are the Alsek, Chilkat, Taku, Whiting, Stikine and Unuk rivers (Figure 1) and there are indi genous to each of these, salmon stocks which originate on the '.·· Canadian side of the international border. Currently, the utilization of these stocks is limited to exploitation by a United States commerc.ial tisherr and bf limited native food fisheries. Precise information.on the size and distribution of' escapements is lacking because of the difficultr of making estimates in turbid glacial streams and because of the remot·eness ot the region. Although the area is relatively inaccessible, roads recently completed, do reach the Nakina River on the Taku system; the Stikine River at Telegraph Creek; the Unuk and the upper Alsek Tatsensheni Rivers. Also, mineral developments on the Stikine, Unuk and Alsek~Tatsensheni Rivers will probably provide increased . ' access to the area in the not too dis.tant future. River transport is possible on the Stikine, as tar upstream as Telegraph Creek, and on the Taku as tar upstream as Tulsequah. Al~hough most of the area behind the Panhandle is readily accessible by fixed-wing aircraft, access to certain areas is limited by the lack of suitable landing facilities. The only centers of population in the area are Telegraph Creek on the Stikine River and Haines Junction on the Alsek River. .. , ?1 ~. I ,I ' -... '\ \ \ \ \ ·~, ~~...... ,,, \ I I I' TEWA.!!J.' DIXON ENTRANCE 20. go i I •. Figure I The Alaska Panhandle region showing the drainage areas of the six 'Streams which originate on the Canadian side of the International border between British Columbia and ·the Alaska Panhandle. .. J -2- 0 The native population in the Pacific drainage area of the Yukon and northwestern British Columbia is limited to twenty families at Telegraph Creek and the Champagne Indian Band who travel to Klukshu on the Tatsensheni River to fish. Natives from Atlin also fish at Tulsequah on the Taku River, but at irregular intervals. The following presentation comprises a brief summary of the information available on the size and escapement distribution of salmon stocks which originate on the Canadian side of the international border between British Columbia and the Alaskan Panhandle. Also included are statements regarding the feasibility of developing Canadian fisheries on these systems. ALSEK RIVER The Alsek River originates in the southwest part of the Yukon Territory and flows southwesterly through British Columbia · and through about 40 miles of the Alaska Panhandle to empty into Dry Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The Alsek River is a composite of two rivers or approximately equal size; the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers which unite to form the mainstem Alsek River about ten ( miles above the international boundary (Figure 2). Most ot·the 8-10,000 square miles of drainage area ot the Alsek River System is located in Canada. The river originates behind the Coast Range, is largely glacial fed and is therefore characterized by high midsummer flows and turbidities. ( YAKUTAT PA t:IFlt: OCEAN ALSEK RIVER WATERSHED I j SCALE Figure 2 ../ -3-. 0 A glacier causes an obstruction on the Alsek River at a point 3o·to 35 miles above the bounda.%"1 and. possibly tor this reason, salmon are absent from the Alsek River and its tributaries above that point. This means that all known salmon spawning is restricted to the Tatshenshini section or the system. SALMON STOC"!r5 Size and Distribution of Escapement All five species ot Pacific salmon are indigenous to the Tatshenshini River. Chinook Salmon .Spawning chinooks have been observed in a number of streams tributary to the Tatshenshini. These are the Blanchard, Takanni, Klukshu, Silver and Takhanne rivers. Actual escapement figures for chinook salmon to this system are unknown although the commercial catch figures give some indication of stock size. (See Table I) Sockeye Salmon Observations of spawning sockeye salmon have been report ed in; .the Klukshu River and Lake as well as Village Creek. The escapement to the Klukshu system approximates 2 1 000 sockeye salmon annually; the escapement to Village Creek is unknown. Coho Salmon Coho salmon spawning has been reported from a number ot tributaries or the Tatshenshini River. Among the larger -. coho producing tributaries are.the Klukshu and Takhanni . ,~ ·4- rivers and Village Creek. There are no actual estimates of escapement tor co~o salmon available. Pink and Chum S~on No reports are availal)le on the spawning esc.apement ot these .sp.eci·ea, but the minor catches reported from the u.s. fisherr·indioate that the total stocks are insigni .t'icant. Commercial Catch The U.S. commercial oatoh tor .the period 1951 to 1954, as shown in Table I, is based primarily on sockeye and coho salmon and totals approximately 43,000 pieces annually. More recent catch data was not available. TABLE I. Annual Salmon· catches and Number of Gillnets Operating in the ·Alsek River - Dry: Bay Fishe17 in the Years 1951 to 19~4· . Sockeye Chinook . Coho Pink Chum Total No. · of Gillnets 1951 28,191 151 11,686 10 168 40,206 22 19.52 28,149 2,020 16 14 . 3 J0,202 22 1953 20,695 1,383 20,583 227 1,944 44,832 24 19.54 34,264 1,833 19,291 156 2,0.51 57,.595 27 Average 27,825 1,34-7 12,894 102 1,042 4J,209 24 Canadian Native Food Fishe!:l The only .t'ood fishery on the iii. ver is located on ·the !CJ ,.,Klukshu River and this is comprised ot about six .families who "'· . travel to the . fishing si ta from the Village or Champagne on the ' ) . ~J -s- Alaska Highway. The annual catch averages 2,000 sockeye, 100 chinooks and 100 coho. Sockeye are captured by a trap placed in the river at the outlet of Kl.ukshu Lake while chinooks and coho are gaffed in the Klukshu River downstream from the trap site. Fo:rmerly, a native food fishel'J was located near the now abandoned village of Dalton Post. Timing of Migration Chinook salmon enter the river from April through June; the sockeye migration occurs during July and August; and coho salmon are present from late July to .early October. FISHING POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS Although precise infonnation regarding the physical character of the river is ~ot available, reports indicate that the river near the inte:rnational border is broken into numerous channels;. . . is not navigable; and would not lend itself to drift- net or set-net fishing. Although the use ot beach-seines, fish-wheels or traps might be possible in the lower section or the river, the small size of the stocks, the extended migration · period and the inaccessibility of the area would seem t_o rule out an economic commercial fishe17 in that region. Although there is a possibility that small numbers of sockeye, .coho &J?-d chinook salmon could be harvested in the vici.nity of Dalton Post, in ,the Yukon Territory, any fishery at this point would serious.ly affect the catch ot. salmon by the . native food fishery on. the Kllikshu River. ) 0 -6- CHILKAT RIVER The Ohilkat River Basin is located mainly in Alaska· and only a small portion ot six tributaries originate in British Columbia (Figure 3). Of these, salmon have been observed in the Kl.ehini, Kelsa11·and Tahini Rivers but the reported populations have been small. SALMON STOCKS Size and Distribution of Escapement Although the Chilkat River on a system basis, is a valuable salmon producer, particularly ot chum and coho, the major and predominate part or the production arises from ·the Alaska ·~ ~V segment of the system. Spawning in the Canadian portion of the system is restricted to small populations of coho and chum salmon in the Tahini River; a small stock of chum salmon in the Klehini; and small populations of chum and sockeye in the Kelsall. Sockeye apparently do not extend,as far inland as Kelsall Lake, which at 2.4 square miles, is the largest lake on the Canadian segment of the Chilkat River System. Commercial Catch The actual U.S. commercial catches tor this s7stem:are not published bu.t it is known that considerable numbers of chum salmon. are harvested. Canadian Native Food Fishery There is no Canadian native food fishery on the Chilkat River System a " CHILKAT RIVER WATERSHED ..._, u-J ICM.a ' ' Figure 3 . ' =~ -7- FISHING POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS In summary, the salmon populat1oll$ indigenous to the Canadian segment or the Chilkat System are small; the general region is extremely inaccessible; and the small size and steep gradient of the streams on the Canadian side or the bo~der would necessitate the use ·ot specialized fishing equipment. On this basis it would seem that no potential exists tor a Canadian fishery- or any 'tJ'pe. TA.KU RIVER The Taku River originates in the high plateau country ot northwestern British Columbia and except tor. that portion of "~ the drainage associated with a 12-mile section of the river located between the head of Taku Inlet and the international border, the entire drainage area, which totals 6,400 square miles, is located within British Columbia (Figure 4). The river originates behind the Coast Range, is largely glaci~l fed and is therefore characterized by high midsummer flows. The mean summer _discharge, measured at a point just above the mouth of the river, totals 2,.$00 cfs; one-.fifth of this flow originates in the Nakina and Nahlin rivers, the only clear water tributaries or the system. SALMON STOCKS Size and Distribution of Escapement All five species of Pacific salmon are indigenous to the Taku River System. 0 0 0 TAKU RIVER WATERSHED Miles 8 6 4 2 0 16 24 ~ ldJJ. J I SCALE Figure 4 .., -8- Chinook Salmon 0 The major spawning areas for chinook salmon in the Taku River System are located in the Nakina and Nahlin Rivers although small spawning populations have been observed in several of the minor tributaries~ On the basis of calculated exploitation rates and reported U.S. commer cial catches or this species, it is estimated that the· system escapement during the period 19.5'1 to 1957 would have ranged between 3,000 and 8,ooo chinook salmon. Sockeye Salmon River spawning sockeye have been observed in the Nakina River and late spawning sockeye have been reported from both Silver Salmon Lake and from Tatsamenie Lake, which c:) at eleven miles long constitutes the largest lake on the system. On the basis.of calculated exploitation rates and reported U·.S. commercial catches of this species, it is estimated that the spa'\illing escapement 4uring the 1951 to 1957 period would have ranged between 8,ooo and 20,000 sockeye salfuon. Coho Salmon Coho have been reported in varying numbers from all major tributaries al though the Nahl in River appears to, be the major producer of this species. On the basis of U.S. commercial catch and exploitation figures, it is estimated that the system escapement of this species during the period 1951 to 1957 would have ranged between ~ 20,000 and 40,000. ,. -9- Chum Salmon 0 Only minor spawning concentrations of this species have been reported but observations have been hampered by glacial water conditions. Pink Salmon ' No reports are available on the spawning escapement of this species. Commercial Catch The u.s. commercial net catches are presented in Table II. Canadian Native Food Fishery No regular native fo·od tishel'Y' operates on the Taku River although natives from Atlin fish infrequently at Tulsequah, located five miles above the international boundary. Timing of Migration 0 Chinook salmon enter the river from late April to the end of June. Sockeye appear early in June and the migration continues until mid-July. Pink salmon enter from the first of July to mid-August. Coho and chum salmon are present from mid July to early October. FISHING POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS Reports indicate that virtually all chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon indigenous to the Taku River originate from spawning areas located on the Canadian side of the international border. During the period 1951 to 1957 the total return of these three species, including the U.S. commercial catch, would have approximated 10,000 to 25,000 chinook s.a~on; 50,000 to 100,000 0 sockeye; and 40,ooo·to.85,000 coho salmon. TAKU RIVER ~able ·rr :atch in number oi iish by species in the gill net iishery and in a test-iishing iish-wheel operated i·n he Taku River by the Alaska Department oi Fish and Game. Catch per·gill net boat-week in parentheses*• rEAR KINGS REDS PINKS · co:acr- CHUMS ,951 Gill Net Catch 9,792 (6 .1) 63,687 (39) 75,027 (39) 27 ,540 . (17) 7,582 ( 5) Fish Wheel 426 June-r.· Catch 12-18 ,952 Gill Net 12,941 (7 .5) 45,233 (32) 39,293 (26) 29,865 (22 )· 23,945 (14) -. Fish Wheel 590 June 1,776 July . 13,253 July 1,943 Aug. 2,087 Sept. 5-11 ·24-30 17-23 28- 3 25- l 953 Gill Net 16,766 (8.8) 51,570 (40) 6,914 ( 7) 2~,502' (24) 18,504 (16) Fish Wheel 214 June 1,075 July. 2,095 July .796 Aug.· 1,785 Sept. 12-18 24-30 17-23 2~- 3 25- 1 I 954 Gill. Net 14,348 (8 .6) 54,260 (33) 24,282 (16) 42,545 (25) . "63;018 (29) ~ 0 I Fish Wheel 281 July 1,840 June 21,613 July 981 Sept. 2,676 Sept. 3-· 9. 19-25 ·24-30 25- 1 25- 1 955 Gill Net 10,686 C7 .o) 28,765 (22) 16,129 (14) 40,470 (21) 15,;352 ( 8) Fish Wheel 71· June 470 Aug. ·1,516 July . 446 Aug. 521 Sept. 12~18 31- 6 10-16 7-13 25- 1 956 Gill Net. 11,253 (8.4) 36,601 (28) 11,592 (12) 21, 767. (23) 38, 785 (23) Fish Wheel 327 June 1,208 June 6,782 July 260-~· 24<1:-* 29~ 4 19-25 . 24-30 957 Gill Net 8,482 (8.4) 27 ,226 (21) 6,633 ( 7) 27 ,491 (20) 82·, 126 (40) Fish Wheel 91 June 670 July 1,664 July 44~~~- Jl~-**" 19-27 17-23 lb-16 *Peak wl:flY catch per standardized 24 hour iishi.ud~y. *·~~eel;. osed August 24. 0 ~~~~Wh~e::., 1"'1 n~or'l ", .. _," - '"" '°)r'\ -11- 0 The river is navigable to Tulsequah, located five miles above the border and approximates 200 yards.in width at that. point. There may be locations suitable for drift gillnetting in this section of the river and the river should lend itself well to set net fishing and perhaps to the operation ot fish-wheels. The area is inaccessible except by shallow draft river boat and by aircraft. The distance from Tulsequah to Prince Rupert by air is approximately 350 miles; the distance to Whitehorse approximates 175 miles. In summary, the numbers ot salmon available to a Canadian-based fishery are not large; the migration season is fairly long; the area is very isolated from any Canadian shipping ' ·.c:::i or processing point; and it is probable that the river would not lend itself to efficient fishing on a commercial basis. Because of these factors, it would seem impractical to attempt the transportation of unprocessed salmon to any Canadian point from the Taku River.· Further to this, it would also seem impractical to attempt the transportation of processed fish from the area unless or until low cost transportation by either sea or land is made available. It is estimated in this regard, that the transportation cost of salmon stored to bulk quantity by freezing and then flown to Whitehorse, the nearest Canadian center, would cost 20¢ per pound. The transportation cost to Prince Rupert would be approximately double that figure. 0 ~ -- . ~· ~12- \ ' ';l'he Whiting River originates in a lake, .six miles long, located at approximately 1 1 000 feet ~levation and dl'ops to sea ,, level over a 40 - 45. mile-long coUl'se. The streams tributary to the 'Whiting in British Columbia are characterized by steep gradients. The glacial tributaries and apparent high velocity' probably result in an extremely heavy silt load in the main river. SALMON STOCKS There are no reports to indicate the existence either or a salmon population indigenous to the Whiting River System or ot a U.S. commercial fishery based on stocks originating from this system. 1 · I • There are no native Indians resident to the Whiting River System in Canada. FISHING'POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS The reports available on this system indicate that_ there are no sal.Jiion populations indigenous to the Whiting River. STIKINE RIVER The Stikine is·a relatively large river, comparable in size and general character to the Skeena. It has a drainage area of approximately 19,400 square miles, 90 percent of' which is located in British Columbia. The system ori1ginates in the semi arid plateau of' northel'n British Columbia, flows southwest for 400 miles through the glaciated coastal mountains; and drains 0 -13- into the ocean near Wrangell, Alaska (Figure 5). In general, clear water tributaries from the .interior plateau area predominate above Telegraph Creek, located 100 air miles upstream from the international border, but below that point tributaries ent~ring the Stikine are of glacial origin and are highly turbid. Due to natural falls, rock slides and velocity barriers, only a fraction of the total drainage area is accessible to salmon. A block to migration exists in the Grand Canyon of the Stikine, located a short distance above Telegraph Creek and this single obstruction denies access to over 50 percent of the total drainage of the system. The international border intersects the river 24 miles above the mouth. The river in the border area is 400 yards wide, approximately 20 feet deep and the velocity of the flow at this point ranges between three and six miles per hour •. There is no tidal effect on the river upstream from the border.. The river is navigable by shallow draft boats up to Telegraph Creek. Access to Telegraph Creek is also possible.by a road connection to the Alaska Highway. SALMON STOCKS Size and Distribution of Escapement All five species of Pacific Salmon are indigenous to the Stikine River system. 0 STIKINE RIVER WATERSt£D _., 9 lO 50 I I " ia 1 ·o Figure 5 -14- Chinook Salmon The major spawning area of chinook salmon in the Stikine River system is located in the Tahltan River, although fair numbers of chinook salmon have been observed in the Tuya arid Iskut Rivers; and small spawning populations have been reported in several other tributaries. No estimates of escapement are available for chinook salmon in the Stikine system. The u.s. commercial catches of this species ranged between a,ooo and 17,000 pieces during the peri~d 1954 to 1959. Sockeye Salmon Spawning sockeye have been observed in the Tahltan,...... _Iskut, and Tuya rivers. The Tahltan River is the major sockeye producer in the Stikine system. The escapement ot sockeye into Tahltan Lake, as enumerated at a weir operated at the. lake outlet is listed below for the period 1959 to 1964. Also included in the table are the 1959-64 net catches ot sockeye taken in the u.s. fishery ·a located off the mouth of the river • . ' !.. :! .! -15- CJ Tahltan Escape Gill-net 1959 4,311 20,258 1960 .1,000 13,635 1961 16,619 21,557 1962 15',ooo 27,514 .. 1963 . 1,700 9,995 1964 ·1a,352 20,154 Coho.Salmon Varying numbers of coho have been reported throughout the accessible portions of the Stikine River system. The major producer of this species is the Iskut River. No actual estimate of coho eseapement is possible, although the recent commercial catch has ranged from _24,000 to 79,000 pieces. Chum Salmon Reported observations or spawning concentrations of chum salmon are limited to,streams tributary to the lower Stikine. Small numbers of chum salmon have been observed in the Iskut River, although turbid conditions ~' prevented accurate enumeration. The general size of the chum salmon stocks indigenous to the system is indicated by the u.s. commercial gill-net catches which have not exceeded 35,000 pieces in recent years. Available reports indicate that the major portion of this production originates from stocks indigenous to u.s. tributaries of the Stikine River. _J~ - ~ -16- Pink Salmon There is little info~ation available on the spawning of this species in the system although spawningJ pink salmon have been observed in the Iskut and Kahtate rivers. It seems probable that additional but unknown areas exist in . - the lower section of the Stikine River. Although estimates of escapement are not available, some indication of stock size can be drawn from the U .s. commerc.ial gill..-net catches which have ranged from 15,000 to 30,000 pieces in recent years. As with chum salmon, the· main commercial productio~ of this species reportedly originates from stocks indigenous to u.s. tributaries of the Stikine. Commercial Catch A small u.s. gill-net fleet' which ranged in size from 49 to 87 boats during the· period 1946 to 195$,.operates in the area off the mouth of the Stikine River. The catches reported from that fishery during the period 1946 to 1959 are listed in Table III. TAB~p: .. III. The Catch by Species and the Peak Effort in Numbers of Boats for the Stikine Area Gill-net.Fishery during the P~riod 1946 to 1959 inclusive. - Pea Sockeye_ Chinook Coho Pink Chum Effort {Numbe~ of Boats~ 1946 19,485 7,890 68,386 2,·776 11,628 65 1947 7,154 1948 19:369 9,213 3!~,873 13,131 14,314 87 1949 8,761 4,862. . 29,295 49 1950 13,000 4,716 23,923 1951 21,527 5,162 78,696 60,944 11,382 50 .. ,, ··~ 1952 20,308 5,184 41,073 1953 22,·957 984 51,582 7~215 . 31,996 58 1954 26,834 17 ,031. 66,605 17,461 . 35,141 71 1955 8,803 12,171 48,949 14,115 9,067 73 1956 12,177 9,646 34,775 4,734 29,620 1957 20,258 8,409 39,967 ·. 4,042 23,931 80 1958 13,635 10,901 . 45,2~8 l~,61~ . 68 1959 21,557 12,599, 47,9 4 3 ,96 2~:~~ 74 -17- Canadian Native Food Fishery Of the . twenty native . families . resident at Telegraph Creek, two to six individuals operate set nets in the Stikine Rive~. The catch of this fishery is based mainly on sockeye and to a lesser extent chinook salmon, and approximates·4,ooo to 7,000 pieces annually. Timing of Migration Chinook salmon enter the river during June and the peak of migration apparently occurs during late June and early July. Sockeye appear early in June and the migration continues through ·out July. · The main migration period of coho salmon is September. The timing of pink and chum salmon has not been reported but the ·_a timing in other northern streams would suggest July and August. FISHING POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS The Stikine is the most accessible salmon producing system ot any river flowing through the Alaskan Panhandle. Although the Stikine is similar in physical size and in drainage area to the Skeena River, a major segment of the system is not accessible to salmon and the migration routes to several of the known spawning areas are disrupted by partial obstructions. The • major sockeye rearing area on the system is Tahltan Lake and the potential of thi_s lake, which measures less than five miles in length, is not large. Coho salmon constitute the major species of the Stikine and they apparently utilize tributaries throughout t~e accessible segment of the system. During the period July 12 to September 30, the Department .e; -18- or Fisheries operated two commercial "mosquito" gill-net boats, on an exploratory basis, in the lower river from the interriationa~ . . border to a point twenty-five miles upstream. High flows hampered the operation during mid-July but after that time the. lower five ·.:. .mile section of the river proved to be quite "fishable". The success. of fishing, ~owever, was relatively low. The chinook salmon· migration was almost finished when the operation was initiated but the program extended over the major portion o.f the sockeye and coho migrations. Although the 1965 sockeye return, as measured by.the escapement to ·a slide on the Tahltan River, was .perhaps the largest in recent years, the best daily catch of this species totalled 53 sockeye in six sets. The average catch '_ 0 CJ per se.t on the best drift, over the period or the migr.ation tot.alled less than two sockeye per drift. ·The catch of c·oho salmon was much-better than that of. sockeye and during the peak period of migration ·during mid-September, ·the total catch per day for two boats approximated 100 pieces. The· salmon taken during this ~program were dressed head off and flown to Prince Rupert·a~ a cost of 15¢ per pound. ·Although the ·results.of the 1965 _explor.atory fishing study have yet to.be closely analyzed, the prel~minary analysis suggests that a commercial operation based on· a conventional gill-net opera.tion would not be economic• ·There is a possibility, however, that a very. small operation.based on set nets, fish wheels or perhaps traps, could 'be .. ope·rated on an economic basis ·7 a -19- if fish could be stored, perhaps by freezing, and flown or transported by barge· to Prince Rupert. in bulk quantity. Alternatively, there is a possibility that a commercial natfve fishery could be developed in the interior of the system on the inaln Stikine near Telegraph Creek; and perhaps a trap or dip-net fishery for sockeye could be established on the . Tahltan River. UNUK RIVER 'The Unuk River arises in the coastal mountains of - . northern British Columbia and.flows south-westward through the ··'-"··".Alaska Panhandle to· enter Burro-qghs Bay at the head of Behm Canal, approximately 125 miles north of Prince Rupert. The l, river is about 54 miles long and has a drainage area of 1 1 700 square miles, 1,200 of which are. located in British Columbia . (Figure 6). _The main river is heavily si~ted throughout most of the year due to numerous glaciers located near the headwaters. With a few minor exceptions, tributary streams are also glacial. In Alaska, the river valley is ~road and flat and characterized ·by extensive flood plains and steep valley walls. The river, in this section is 300 to 400 feet wide, averages five feet in depth and has a velocity of three to four feet per second. The Alaskan portion of the river is navigable by river skiff during norm.al water levels. Less . than one mile. upstream from the Alaskan border the river is constricted in a canyon (Second Canyon) that p~obably demarcates the upper limit of small boat travel. / -·-a a ,Mt eLJR-., MT. .._"" · \ wri..LllERT ~ . \ \ \ MT.\....._ .IOHN tJliT'"·-- ·~ ..., ...... - UNUK RIVER WATERSHED ...k-i L;;;J-j ' ICAL! :'· .U Figure 6 -20.;. At present there are no roads or.settlements located in the Unuk River watershed. SALMON STOCKS -. -In this survey the only Canadian spawning was located in Border • , (Boundary) Lake where a "few hundred" sockeye and two chinook salmon were counted. It is significant that no salmon were I counted above the "Second Canyon" in British Columbia. The survey report concludes: - "The numerous tributaries in Canada ·seemed to hold little promise ~s spawning areas even if salmon would spawn in very turbid waters, /because of the ~teep gradients involved". Commercial Catch Unuk River salmon runs are exploited by an outside seine fishery and a gill-net fishery near the river mouth. No ~ estimates of the contribution of Unuk River salmon to the outside ~ seine fishery are available. In.the gill-net fishery all five I i species of Pacific salmon are caught from June throughout · September. The most recent catch data (1954-55) indicate that -21- the gill-net fishery harvests approximately 50 1 000 salmon annually, and.that pink salmon predominate .in the catch. Canadian Native Food Fishery No native food fishing is conducted on the river. FISHING POTENTIAL IN CANADIAN WATERS · . Because ot the fact that only a very small number of ·salmon ascend the river into Canada, no fishery will be feasible. SUMMARY· In general, the rivers which originate in Canada and pass through the Alaskan Panhandle, are characterized by extreme .. ' glaciation, steep gradients and a paucity of lake rearing areas. ,.- As a result ot these conditions, the salmon population indigenous to the systems are not large and this, coupled with the inaccessibility of all systems from supply, transportation and processing points, makes the possibility of establishing an economic co~ercial venture on any system a rather remote one. The only.systems which offer any possibilities in this regard are the Taku and Stikine rivers: TAKO' RIVER The stock sizes of salmon produced from this system, and virtually all of the production originates on the Canadian side of the intematioz:ial border, approximate _10 1 000 to 25 1 000 . chinook; _50,ooo·to 100,000 sockeye; and 40,000 to 85,000 coho salmon. The. United States commercial· fishery apparently harvests -22- 40 to 50 percent of that total stock. The lower few miles of the Canadian segment of the river may,be suitable for gill-netting and perhaps for operation of fish~wheels or traps. The main operational problem on this system at present is the inaccessibility of the region, which is compounded by the relatively low number of fish available. In view of the inaccessibility of the region, it would appear extremely doubtful that an e.conomic commercial operation could be established on the Taku River at the present time. STIKINE RIVER The Stikine' River is the most accessible of the rivers which pass through the Alaskan Panhandle and although the stocks ~· r of salmon indigenous to the system are small by comparison to any major system located wholly in British Columbia, they are probably of similar magnitude to those reported for the Taku system. There is a possibility on this system that a small operation, perhaps the equivalent of four to six mosquito gill-net boats; or perhaps a very small trap or fish-wheel operation ~ould be established on a marginal basis providing salmon could be stored, and then transported in quantity by air or by shallow draft barge to Prince Rupert. ,,)