Wuikinuxv Fisheries Program
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The Wuikinuxv Fisheries Program (WFP) utilizes AFS (Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy) funding from DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), as well as funding from the Rivers Inlet Salmon Steering Committee (contributors include the Rick Hansen Foundation and local sportsfishing lodges) to participate in projects related to salmon and eulachon stock assessment within its area.
The WFP consists of a full-time Fisheries Manager, and 2 part-time technicians, Billie Johnson and Chris McConechy. The Wuikinuxv Fisheries Manager primary duties include:
The Wuikinuxv Fisheries Manager participates in and provides feedback in numerous on-going regular meetings and teleconferences, such as:
In addition, the Fisheries Manager provides support for irregular but important community developments, such as: fisheries-related Treaty-Related Measures; wharf construction; as well as input into numerous DFO Integrated Fishery Management Plans (IFMPs) and other consultation processes, such as the SARA Eulachon. |
Fisheries StaffManager
Dave Rolston wuikinuxvfisheries@wuikinuxv.net 250-949-8625 Ext. 230 Technicians Billie Johnson Chris McConechy |
WFP salmon operational work includes:
Eulachon operational work includes:
The Fisheries Crews operate a Catch-Per-Unit-Effort gillnet study, which includes:
The Catch-per-Unit-Effort (CPUE) sockeye fishery was first initiated by Jennifer Walkus in order to obtain a CPUE number that could be used to estimate run size in-season. The overall objective of this pilot project is to determine a relative abundance estimate (index of run size) of the sockeye escapement to Owikeno Lake and its tributaries, and to collect biological samples from captured fish. 2015 is the third year that Billie and Chris are using a standardized net and drift length to capture adult sockeye daily on the river, with total number of sockeye per drift recorded. Biological sampling (sex, length, weight, and scales) is also done during the sampling period (July and August) with the target of 250 samples to be collected by the end of this years project.
Wuikinuxv Fisheries crews have also assisted in the transport and data collection for various other Stewardship studies; such as bear, crab and rockfish studies.
In addition to these objectives, samples are still being collected for Dr Brian Hunt at University of British Columbia. Now in the fourth year of their study, UBC researchers are using these samples to investigate three aspects of the life history of returning Rivers Inlet sockeye by analyzing carbon and nitrogen isotopes laid-down in the bones of the fish.
Samples were also taken for later fish health lab analysis – called the Rivers Inlet Sockeye Viral Surveillance Project. This project has been run under a research agreement with Richard Routledge and Stacey Hrushowy of Simon Fraser University (SFU). This project receives funding from Tony Allard of the Good Hope Cannery and the National Science and Engineering Research Council.
A Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (AKA DIDSON) is used in rivers where the visibility is too poor to accurately count fish – like the Wannock. It uses sound waves and produces an image like a movie. These images are then analyzed by technicians like our own Chris McConechy and Eric English to estimate the number of fish of certain sizes that enter or leave past the point where the sonar is installed, usually near the mouth of a river.
However; in order to allocate the correct number of unknown targets of mixed species to the correct species designation – you must know the species composition. This is where the CPUE study data have been so invaluable.
Any further information regarding the Wuikinuxv Fisheries Program can be found in the Administration Office and/or by contacting the Fisheries Manager.
- The Owikeno Lake Sockeye relative abundance project to develop a system to use as an index for the strength of the sockeye that pass through the Wannock (Wanukv) River based on the food fishery
- The Owikeno Lake Tributary Creek Walks with DFO, which help determine an estimate of the sockeye escapement to these systems and to collect biological samples from post-spawn fish
Eulachon operational work includes:
- An adult distribution and timing and an egg and larval drift sample collection to determine the status of eulachon in Rivers Inlet.
The Fisheries Crews operate a Catch-Per-Unit-Effort gillnet study, which includes:
- Taking samples for UBC for isotopic analysis
- Operate the Didson sonar and the fish wheel
- Help collect fish samples for SFU for fish health testing
- Conduct streamwalks on various watersheds of the Oweekeno Lake counting fish and taking samples
- Participate in an egg take of Chuckwalla/Kibella and (later) Wannock Chinook - to be flown back to the Snootli hatchery in Bella Coola for incubation, then feed and release the fry later in the spring
- Carry-out a “dead pitch” or removal of Chinook carcasses to produce an estimate of spawned Chinook in the Wannock.
The Catch-per-Unit-Effort (CPUE) sockeye fishery was first initiated by Jennifer Walkus in order to obtain a CPUE number that could be used to estimate run size in-season. The overall objective of this pilot project is to determine a relative abundance estimate (index of run size) of the sockeye escapement to Owikeno Lake and its tributaries, and to collect biological samples from captured fish. 2015 is the third year that Billie and Chris are using a standardized net and drift length to capture adult sockeye daily on the river, with total number of sockeye per drift recorded. Biological sampling (sex, length, weight, and scales) is also done during the sampling period (July and August) with the target of 250 samples to be collected by the end of this years project.
Wuikinuxv Fisheries crews have also assisted in the transport and data collection for various other Stewardship studies; such as bear, crab and rockfish studies.
In addition to these objectives, samples are still being collected for Dr Brian Hunt at University of British Columbia. Now in the fourth year of their study, UBC researchers are using these samples to investigate three aspects of the life history of returning Rivers Inlet sockeye by analyzing carbon and nitrogen isotopes laid-down in the bones of the fish.
Samples were also taken for later fish health lab analysis – called the Rivers Inlet Sockeye Viral Surveillance Project. This project has been run under a research agreement with Richard Routledge and Stacey Hrushowy of Simon Fraser University (SFU). This project receives funding from Tony Allard of the Good Hope Cannery and the National Science and Engineering Research Council.
A Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (AKA DIDSON) is used in rivers where the visibility is too poor to accurately count fish – like the Wannock. It uses sound waves and produces an image like a movie. These images are then analyzed by technicians like our own Chris McConechy and Eric English to estimate the number of fish of certain sizes that enter or leave past the point where the sonar is installed, usually near the mouth of a river.
However; in order to allocate the correct number of unknown targets of mixed species to the correct species designation – you must know the species composition. This is where the CPUE study data have been so invaluable.
Any further information regarding the Wuikinuxv Fisheries Program can be found in the Administration Office and/or by contacting the Fisheries Manager.
