NSTC In-Season Salmon Abundance and Health Indicator Program – A Feasibility Study


Year 2008
Proponent Northern Shuswap Tribal Council
Project type Fisheries
FSWP funding source DFO Fraser Basin Initiative
Grant amount $98,900
Total project value $116,400
ID number 08 FM D 18

Location: Cariboo-Chilcotin, Williams Lake - Cariboo/Chilcotin

Project Summary

NSTC In-Season Salmon Abundance and Health Indicator Program - A Feasibility Study

The purpose of the project is to measure the in-season abundance of sockeye in the Upper Fraser River by way of a controlled sampling platform (fishwheel) in the lower area of the territories to collect data that will be utilized to estimate sockeye abundance below the confluence of the Chilcotin River with the Fraser River and an evaluation of the feasibility of utilizing the traditional fishing methods for estimating sockeye abundance above the confluence of the Chilcotin River with the Fraser at the traditional fishing site of Xat’sull (Soda Creek), which is located in the upper area of the NStQ fishing area. Both fisheries under this project will collaborate with other projects on the Fraser River to accumulate as much data as possible on the in-season dynamics of migrating sockeye.

The fishwheel project will enumerate sockeye from approximately July 10 to August 30 as they migrate through the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw Territories.  The initial period will include estimation of abundance of the Early Stuart Sockeye stocks, which are intercepted but not retained by fishers targeting chinook.  The fishwheel will operate on a set schedule to collect data on fish migration timing, including diel timing, as well as abundance through the period of the study.  The traditional fisheries will use the CPUE estimates to determine the abundance through the Soda Creek fishery and will involve the recording of catch data as well as the start and end time of fishing. Data collected by NSTC Catch Monitoring Program will also be utilized.

Specific Deliverables are as follows:

1. Evaluation of the feasibility of a test fishery in the Upper Fraser River that relies on a combination of the traditional fishing methods of the Northern Secwepemc and modern fish wheel technology;
2. Collection, analysis and incorporation of CPUE data from DFO database.
3. Determine in-season abundance and CPUE estimates for sockeye in the Upper Fraser River, below the Chilcotin River confluence, as well as above at Soda Creek;  This information will provide support to the DFO data that has been collected as part of the AFS Catch Monitoring Program.
4. Build on current reporting of the FSC fisheries and develop a near-real time data reporting system that may provide results in a timely fashion for in-river, in-season management purposes; and,
5. Advance collaboration with other projects on the Fraser River system.  The NSTC project will provide a sampling platform for the LGL Ltd mark and recapture program on the Lower Fraser.  In addition the project will collaborate with other projects on the Fraser River such as the Siska Fishwheel project and the Lillooet Tribal Council project.
6. Advance collaboration between the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw communities in terms of fisheries management, with the intention of promoting collaboration between the Northern Shuswap and other First Nations in the area (Esketemc and Tsihl’qotin).
7.        Test the feasibility of alternative fishing methods in the area.


Final Results

The final report for this project is posted in the orange resource box to the right.


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At 4:22 am on 2/05/09, San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers said:

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