HFC - Annual Report 2018 - 2019

HAISLA

FISHERIES

COMMISSION

Annual Report 2018-2019 HAISLA NATION COUNCIL

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Table of Contents Boat disposal Oolichan MAFA Training Culture Camp Salmon Food Fish Cabin & Conservancies World Oceans Day Harbour People

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 CONTACT By phone: 250-639-9361 Toll-free: 1-888-842-4752 Street address: 230 Kitlope Avenue

A mid-August debris jam on Evelyn Creek caused trouble for spawning sockeye. Read more on that on page 7.

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On February 14, 2018, Haisla Fisheries Commission had to manage the sinking of the Zodiac Light at the Haisla Marina. Fisheries and the Canadian Coast Guard contained any leaking fuel from the vessel.

Boat disposal program The Haisla Fisheries Commission and Harbour Authority witnessed a busy and eventful year in 2018, hosting research and development projects throughout Haisla territory.

The first unplanned field project occurred February 14th with the sinking of the Zodiac Light. Haisla Fisheries personnel and members of the Canadian Coast Guard managed to isolate the vessel and contain leaking diesel and oil products using a boom.

The vessel was later disposed of in Prince Rupert. Community members are reminded that, under Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, there are now opportunities to dispose of unwanted vessels.

Please contact our office if you wish to dispose of any unwanted vessels.

We urge boat owners to take advantage of this program or risk the boat owner's enormous debt that comes with the sinking of their vessel.

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Oolichan

As usual, the first research projects began in the spring with an Oolichan monitoring program on the Kitimat, Kildala and Kemano Rivers. In 2018, Oolichans were confirmed within all three river systems, with the Kemano River exhibiting the largest return. However,

Estimated return (In short tons)

Year

2008

0

2014

0

2009

0

2015

120

2010

10

2016

190

2011

0

2017

90

2012

30

2018

30

2013

162

—

—

Year

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this year's Kemano run was substantially less than those observed in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The discovery of Oolichan in the Kildala River was an exciting find, pointing toward a need for continued research, protection and recovery planning.

Estimated return (In short tons)

MAFA Training Haisla Fisheries staff received Marine Advance First Aid Training (MAFA) in January 2018. This is a comprehensive training for those working in remote marine environments.

The MAFA certification was sponsored by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). CCG also

provided the Haisla Fisheries Department with an array of first aid equipment, including two AED machines, spine boards, an oxygen tank, handheld radios, and marine binoculars, to name a few items that were given to our program.

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Haisla Culture Camp

The Haisla Culture Camp preparations began in May 2018. This was a huge undertaking and the Haisla Fisheries crew along with the Haisla Health Department were an integral part of the two 2018 Cultural Camps held in July. The area had to be cleared, a new platform was built for the activities tent, the trail was brushed, day to day planning was organized, shopping for supplies, meal planning, and registration for participants, safety procedures reviewed, correspondence with parents and advertising

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to the Haisla membership, stairs were put in place at the camp, equipment was transported and set up at the camp. The Haisla Fisheries had two staff on site for the first camp, plus we had two crew that were responsible for the transportation of guests during the two camps. The Haisla Fisheries were also responsible for post-camp clean-up. While camp activities ended July 26th, the HFC crew worked until August 8th dismantling, transporting and winterizing camp equipment for 2019.

Salmon Stock All in all, our department was able to meet or exceed our program obligations. Stock assessments resumed once the camp ended. The 2018 stock assessments show a significant decline with all species of salmon in Haisla territory. MidAugust, there was a huge debris jam at Evelyn Creek which stranded the sockeye from making it to their spawning grounds. With the help of Stan Hutchings, the Haisla Fisheries crew were able to make a path so the endangered salmon could make it to the creek and spawn. Drought conditions challenged salmon throughout the North coast in 2018! DNA sampling was also one of HFC projects in 2018. DNA collections occurred to help identify Coho from the Brim & Wahoo River conservation units under the Wild Salmon Policy Implementation plan.

Our five year commitment to the Fish Habitat Restoration project comes to an end in March 2019. In 2018/19, we did water quality testing, fish salvaging, opening blockages for fish passages, transplanting eel grass, culvert replacements, and acid rain monitoring.

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Food Fish distribution Thanks to Haisla Nation Council, Haisla in Kitamaat Village received a feed of herring eggs on kelp from Bella Bella in April 2018.

This was the first time we were able to do a community distribution for herring eggs and they were enjoyed by all who had a taste of the

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salted uh unt. Haisla band membership also were fortunate to get a feed of halibut.

With the help of the Haisla Health Centre staff, the fisheries department distributed 4000 pounds of halibut in 2018.

Cabin & Conservancies As part of wawais cabin renovations and marine conservancy maintenance, the HFC has upgraded 9 cabins; new stoves and structural improvements including bigger windows and extended decks in 2018.

Vandalism and garbage continue to be a

problem at the cabin locations. We ask for the community's help in keeping these sites clean.

Cabins upgraded to date include: Coste Island, Eagle Bay, Sue Channel(Loretta Is.), Weewah, Crab River, Shearwater (hot springs), Monkey Beach, Foch Lagoon and Paril River.

World Ocean’s Day World Oceans Day brings awareness to of the oceans and the importance for everyone to do their part and take care of it.

The youth take to the beach and pick up discarded garbage.

There were so many youth, they cleaned up

the beach, around the field and along the roadway to the Sunrise General Store.

Awesome job everyone!

We will be celebrating World Oceans Day on June 7 this year. Beach clean up followed by a salmon BBQ. We hope to see you there!

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Harbour Projects

As part of HFC's 5-year (2014 - 2019) development plan, the Haisla Harbour Authority resumed work on a boardwalk structure for eventual connection to the breakwater platforms. Under the direction of engineers Ted Appleton and Rick Hill, Kevin Smith, owner of Rainy Day Renovations and his crew completed a 300 foot boardwalk at Haisla Harbour. A new gangway, boardwalk wharf-head and breakwater connections are planned for 2019.

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Our 2018/19 season ended with Search and Rescue training for Everett Smith and Len Bolton. This is a Canadian Coastguard sponsored training which is vital in the event of a SAR episode in Haisla Territory.

The Haisla Fisheries are pleased to introduce our new landing craft to our fleet. This is a 26ft landing craft which will help tremendously with our cabin work, camp provisioning, field research and environmental response.

The people of HFC Mike Jacobs is the Haisla Fisheries Program Manager, he has been working for HFC for 11 years.

Brenda Bouzane is the Haisla Fisheries Office Manager, Fisheries & Harbour Operations. Brenda has worked for HFC for 5 years.

Everett Smith is the Haisla Fisheries Field Supervisor. Everett has been with HFC since the spring of 2016.

Leonard Bolton is the Haisla Fisheries Field Technician. Len joined our team in 2017.

Trevor Amos is the Harbour Authority Wharfinger. Trevor has been with HFC for 6 years.

Byron Olsen-Grant came back for his 2nd year as our summer student. After graduation, Byron is seeking a career in the fish and wildlife field. We look forward to having him back in 2019 and wish him all the success in his future educational endeavors.

Do you need a food fishing permit or a transport permit? Give us a call to schedule an appointment. You can reach our office at 250639-9361 ext 207 Annette Smith is our janitor. Your job is an important one and we appreciate your hard work. Thank you!

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Š Cody Logan / Wikimedia Commons / "Butter clam close up" / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bivalve shellfish harvest closed at Monkey Beach, and west side of Ursula Channel Due to potential contamination, harvesting of bivalve shellfish at Monkey Beach and the west side of Ursula Channel is now closed, under recommendation of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, December 2018.

HAISLA NATION COUNCIL Fisheries & Harbour Operations

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