Post on 19-Jan-2016
Salmon Recovery Initiatives by the Squamish Nation
The Past, Present and Future
Presentation by:
Randall Lewis
Squamish Nation
Bettina Sander
Golder Associates Ltd.
Acknowledgements:
Melissa Evanson
Katerina Kwon
The Past, Present and Future
Squamish River Watershed
Largest watershed within the Strait of Georgia
Squamish River drains into Howe Sound
Supports significant aquatic species:
Fish – Pacific salmon, trout, euchalon
Marine mammals – seals, river otters
Waterfowl – Great blue heron, sandpipers
The Past – Previous Initiatives
Historical Land Use Poor forestry practices and land
use planning resulted in: Increase urban runoff Changes to channel morphology Loss of tributary habitat Degradation of habitat quality
Habitat restoration initiatives started in the 1970’s in Chief Jimmy Jimmy Slough
Controlled by DFO MOE and MOF worked
independently on habitat restoration initiatives
The Past
Squamish Nation Historical Ties to Salmon
Food, Social and Ceremonial ‘Commercial’ (trading) purposes Culture
tradition of returning salmon bones to the river to ensure that the salmon will return
Environment Salmon are key in supporting entire
ecosystem function• Nutrient inputs • Food source - eagles, bears, etc.
The Past
Historical Fisheries Management
Pre-settlement (Before Contact) traditional territory fully functional with Mother Nature Avoided over-fishing, resulting in ample resource
availability for generations to come
“We took what we needed.”
Post-settlement (Post Contact) Squamish Nation territory changed forever at the
expense of Mother Nature Colonization prosperity changed the ecology, resulting
in species going extinct
Late 1880’s Squamish Nation fisheries restricted by DFO Resulted in a very poor relationship based on lack of
trust and common objectives
The Present
Squamish Nation Community Values Protect land and natural resources for future
generations Achieved through:
Habitat restoration programs Sustainable fisheries management Stock enhancement initiatives Salmon population recovery Building community awareness around
Squamish Nation fisheries through the mandate of Council.
Key to Achieving these Objectives is through Partnerships at all Levels
The Present
Squamish Nation Partnerships
Squamish Nation was instrumental in initiating the partnership process and getting people to work towards a common goal
Government – DFO, CN RailProvincial – BC MoE, BC HydroMunicipal – District of SquamishCommunity – Squamish River Watershed
Society, local StreamkeepersIndustry – Ledcor on Ashlu Creek IPP
(habitat restoration on Ashlu Creek), partnerships with local developers
The Present – Recent Partnership Initiatives
Squamish Nation/DFO Annual Salmon Enumeration Program (1996-present)
Partnership with DFO, Golder
Compendium of the Status of Coho in the Squamish River Watershed (2004)
Partnership with DFO, Golder
The Present – Recent Initiatives
BC Hydro Water Use Plan (2004)
Partnership with BC Hydro
Squamish River Watershed Salmon Recovery Plan (2005)
Partnership with Pacific
Salmon Foundation,
Squamish River Watershed Society, BC MoE, DFO,
stakeholders, Golder
The Present – Recent Initiatives
Salmon Assessment Framework for the Squamish River Watershed (2006)
Partnership with DFO, Pacific
Salmon Foundation, Golder
Synthesis of 11 Years of Salmon Spawner Enumeration Data in the Squamish River Watershed (2007)
Partnership with CN Rail,
DFO, Golder
The Future
Squamish Nation Fisheries Prospective Goals
Continue to protect the land and resources for future generations
Habitat restoration Sustainable fisheries
management Stock enhancement Pacific salmon recovery
programs Continue to develop long-term,
sustainable partnerships to be carried into future generations
The Future
Squamish Nation Fisheries Prospective Goals
Address knowledge gaps regarding watershed processes
e.g. climate change? Identify Squamish Nation as
leaders in the community Government works with
limited resources Community and
partnerships need to step up to the plate and collaboratively work to protect natural resources
The Past, Present and Future
“If we fail, we fail our children.” - Randall Lewis