k12 esseltine millstone coho project - fish habitat network · 2017-12-20 · millstone river coho...
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Millstone River Coho Salmon Project
8th World Recreational Fisheries ConferenceRecreational Anglers Driving Fish Habitat Outcomes
Kevin Esseltine and John Morgan, VIU/RMAPJuly 18, 2017
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Background
• Nanaimo area offers diverse saltwater and freshwater recreational angling opportunities
• Angling groups play a key role in stewardship activities and management decisions
• Nanaimo Fish and Game Protective Association (NFGPA), Island Water Fly Fishers (IWFF), and many others
2Big Q Coho., courtesy L. Donovan
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Background• Historically, the Millstone River in Nanaimo supported a spawning run of Chum salmon in its lower reaches
• Until 2007, access to the upper watershed for Coho salmon was blocked by an impassable waterfall located in Bowen Park
• Recreational anglers promoted the development of a beach fishery for Coho salmon in Nanaimo Harbour, similar to a recently established Pink salmon fishery
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Background
• DFO and partners (PSF, NFGPA, IWFF) completed construction of an 800 m side‐channel around the falls, October 2007
• Allows Coho to access spawning and rearing habitat in the upper Millstone and in the channel itself
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• Millstone side‐channel provides an ideal location for hands‐on education and stewardship
• Train VIU students from RMAP program and angling club volunteers to conduct:• Side‐channel visual survey• Use of modern stock assessment technology• Capture and biological sampling • Tagging and radio telemetry
Education and Stewardship
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• RMAP students and angling club volunteers have completed surveys of the Millstone from 2007 to 2016
• Return of Coho to the Millstone has ranged from 50 to 450 during that time period
• Peak migration occurs with large rain events
Highlighted Results
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BrannenLake
Bowen ParkHwy 19
Newfield/ Durin Rd.
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• Current funding from NFGPA to purchase new computer and camera unit for enumeration of adult Coho returning to the Millstone
• VIU students and angling club members continue to conduct telemetry and visual surveys to identify Coho spawning habitat
• Restoration and enhancement of spawning habitat (e.g., addition of gravel)
• Landowner contact and access permission• Future partnership applications for habitat restoration
funding
Current and Future Project Direction
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• The Millstone Coho project is an example of anglers driving and perpetuating a habitat enhancement project with multiple government agencies
• Salmon recovery story and valuable educational/stewardship opportunity to help conserve local fisheries resources
Conclusions
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Questions and Comments
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