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Technical Working Group
Summary of Meeting Minutes
for the CWG
June 6, 2012
DATE:
VENUE:
TIME:
June 6, 2012
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, #200 -1460 6th Ave, Prince George, V2L 3N2
09:00 – 16:55
Prepared by: Lana Ciarniello
Tel: (250) 923-8881; E-mail: aklak@telus.net
The purpose of this meeting was to provide updates and discuss TWG research projects for the
2011 and 2012 field seasons. Marcus Boucher presented the key findings of his Master’s thesis
research (UNBC). Cory Williamson presented the detailed design for the Recovery Facility and
the group discussed potential ways to reduce increased construction costs. There also was a
short presentation on the Didson by Brian Toth.
Marcus Boucher’s thesis findings
Marcus provided a presentation on the key finding of his Master’s thesis work conducted at
UNBC. His work examined the effects of substrate and temperature on Nechako and Columbia
sturgeon, titled, The effect of substrate rearing on the growth, development, and survival during
early ontogeny. He performed one experiments in 2009 and one in 2010. In 2009 Nechako fish
were reared within and without gravel at two different temperatures (both gravel and no gravel
fish were reared at 13.5 C and 17.5 C temperature). In 2010 (second year) he used only one
temperature and the following treatments: gravel, no gravel and an artificial substrate that could
be used in a cultured environment such as a hatchery. His key findings were as follows:
• He found a marked increase in mortality for fish reared at 17.5 C versus those reared at
13.5 C when they emerge after consuming the yolk sack. Significantly less mortality was
noted for those fish that were reared in gravel.
•
Those fish reared in gravel had significantly higher overall survival than the other
treatments (20% greater overall survival). Survival of fish was also higher in colder water.
Conversely, those reared in warmer water had higher mortality than those reared in colder
water. The highest survival rates were therefore for fish raised in gravel and at a lower
water temperature.
•
Fish reared in warmer water grew at a faster rate. By further investigating the
accumulated thermal units (summation of daily average temperature) he found that growth
was simply delayed for fish reared in cooler water.
Second experiment: if more yolk sack energy is put into growth for fish reared in gravel where is
all that energy going for fish reared without gravel (why are growth and survival so different)?
•
•
Fish reared in gravel were significantly larger than those reared without gravel. However,
there was no difference between those reared in gravel and those reared in artificial
substrate.
Fish reared in substrate had: Improved growth and survival, greater metabolic scope and
more liver lipid and glycogen reserves. Fish reared in gravel moved less.
TWG Meeting Minutes Summary for the CWG
Meeting June 6, 2012
Page 1 of 3
Planning for 2012-13 Research Projects
Biological Monitoring Projects:
Tags and Tag Replacement for Nechako and Upper Fraser: Cory went with Brian and crew
to replace some tags on the Upper Fraser. He noted that there were a lot of juveniles and this
is markedly different than the Nechako. Cory would like to conduct juvenile index sampling
between Longworth canyon and the Bowron where he believes the spawning areas may be
located. The Upper Fraser could lend more habitat information for the Nechako.
Telemetry: Adrian Batho, FLNRO, has begun working on the fixed station telemetry data. The
movement data in combination with the mobile telemetry will be quite informative.
Wild Spawn Monitoring (CSTC): There has been several longer telemetry runs completed this
year. They also put an additional 15 sets of large egg mats downstream of the bridge. They
collected ~>700 eggs from possibly two spawning events. The vast majority of eggs have been
collected downstream of the bridge so far this year. Fish are still rolling and breeching and
therefore it is likely spawning continues.
Cory then referred to page 26 of the NHC report: the bend downstream from the bird sanctuary
corresponds to where the fish are spawning right now. Cory would like to conduct sampling
further downstream so we know that we have captured the spawning.
Juvenile Index Program: The juvenile index program will happen in the fall and will be similar
to the previous years. Funding for this program is multi-year.
Physical Monitoring of Gravel Pads: Last year there was a physical monitoring component that
we could not conduct because of the high river flows and there is a lot we do not understand in
terms of the physical aspects. The group decided to repeat last year’s methods and conduct
camera work. They determined that there was a window for this work in July and midSeptember. This project is being funded by DFO (Courtney Druce).
Geomorphology Workshop: How to move forward: The TWG worked through the topics they
would like covered at a geomorphology workshop. We need to figure out how we determine
what the fish are keying in on for habitat restoration. The group agreed on an Oct/Nov meeting.
Imprinting: Investigating the possibility: for the hatchery we are planning on using river water to
aid with addressing the issue of imprinting. Imprinting is an academic question and the TWG
discussed supporting a student’s work.
Kootenay River Update: Steve attends the meetings for the Kootenay Recovery team and
noted that they have a major project examining river engineering. The group agreed that we
need a geomorphology project on the Nechako and that it would be good to examine some of
the questions associated with spawning.
Columbia River Update: A number of projects were conducted on the Columbia fish. The TWG
determined that similar to work on the Columbia larval quality is a question of interest. We need
feeding larvae to assess larval quality (one day olds). Ten samples from the Nechako will be
gathered to assess quality as determined by gut and liver development and weight.
Sturgeon Genetics and Relationship to COSEWIC
The relationship between genetics and COSEWIC came up following Andrea Schrerier work at
UCDavis as it relates to the COSEWIC review. In November 2012 there was a draft COSEWIC
report circulated for government review. The outcome was the recommendation of 4 Designate
Units (DUs): Kootenay DU, Columbia DU, Lower Fraser DU; and Upper, Middle and Nechako
are lumped together in one designated unit. Cory thinks there is a hole in Andrea’s work
because none of the movement data was considered, however her work does support genetic
TWG Meeting Minutes Summary for the CWG
Meeting June 6, 2012
Page 2 of 3
divergence between populations. Courtney noted that the COSEWIC is a draft report and draft
reports can change very significantly. At this point we need to wait and see what happens in the
next draft in November.
Recovery and Conservation Facility Updates
Cory presented a PowerPoint presentation on the design as he did with the CWG. He
discussed the design, layout and stage they are at with the Facility. Using information in the
recovery and breeding plans they came up with a bio-plan for the hatchery. They are waiting on
the outcome of the NEEF process for a source of operational funds and are hoping to construct
this year but now there is less than a 50% chance that we are going to be able to be finished by
spawning season next year.
Cory received a surprise yesterday when he was informed that the building costs have gone up
since January by 50% and that comes to more than 50% in our budget which is now projected
at >$6 million. Cory thinks we have three options: (1) we cut down on output; (2) ask the
construction folks if we can get back down to a reasonable cost; or, (3) trim/cut our design.
Cory asked for ideas from the TWG on where they think cuts could occur. It was generally
agreed upon by the group that before we make recommendations to scale back we need to
approach other funding sources.
Community Working Group Update
Lana provided an update on the outreach activities completed by the CWG during 2011-12 and
proposed for 2012-13 (HSP funded and other outreach possibilities). She explained why the
CWG did not hold an SOS Spring Spawning Celebration this year but that they will participate in
the Fall River’s Day event and/or a Recovery Facility announcement event. The boat kit video
was made available to TWG meeting participants. Cory provided an update on the summer
student intern program funded by RTA and FFSBC.
Other
Presentation on the Didson: Brian Toth provided a presentation on the Didson. The Didson is a
dual-Frequency Identification Sonar that operates at 2 frequencies. It can detect and create
images. Brian noted that the Didson may provide information useful for habitat restoration and
planning regarding depth, velocity, and substrate. The TWG provided mixed reviews on the
usefulness of the Didson.
NEEF Process: Cory went over the NEEF process. The NEEF process is a 4 part process that
begins with identifying the needs of the watershed. If we continue to be successful NEEF will be
providing 8% of the funds to our requested work which is about 50% of what we asked for. The
group asked whether they could be approached for more funds since the estimate for the
Recovery Facility has risen substantially since first anticipated. Cory thought that it is an option
to go back to them and ask for more funds.
7th International Symposium on Sturgeon: is taking place July 21-25, 2013, in Nanaimo. This
symposium only happens every 4 years. The TWG plans on presenting some of their habitat
work at the conference.
Next meeting: The TWG selected their next meeting date sometime within the next month
proposing the end of June/beginning of July. This will be a ~2 hour conference call.
TWG Meeting Minutes Summary for the CWG
Meeting June 6, 2012
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