Knowing our Fish Creeks in Átl'ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound
Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound is known for its rugged coastal forest ecosystems supporting a variety of species, including various salmonid species. Riparian Area Regulations help protect these ecosystems that are essential fish habitats. As part of our work on Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs), in 2022 we took on a project to review the currently available data to ensure our knowledge is up to date and that we are not missing opportunities to enhance conservation efforts that support fish habitat and buffer zones. This information connects us with stewards, helps inform what conservation efforts are at work and find opportunities to improve.
Over 45 recorded fish-bearing creeks that drain into Átl'ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound are recorded in the Marine Reference Guide, the online map of the region’s aquatic areas. Data layers rely on open sources for reporting and recording. More recently, the Pacific Salmon Foundation launched Pacific Salmon Explorer, a helpful tool that tracks salmon, but not all fish species found in our freshwater creeks.
Many non-government and government-funded organizations monitor and restore creeks in the region (see list below). Private property owners work with environmental consultants and DFO on creeks impacted by industry and property development. Together they steward the recovery of our marine life and healthy fish populations.
Yet data associated with these streams and riparian ecosystems can be outdated, missing, or incorrect. Understanding the currently available data helps identify opportunities for stream stewardship and ensures these sensitive ecosystems and the fish species they support are conserved. This project, completed in 2023, provides a resource for researchers who seek to better target potential monitoring, restoration or similar initiatives.
What Was Found?
This project commenced in early 2022. After assessing currently available data, criteria were developed to identify priority fish-bearing streams within each Marine Unit. A Summary of Stewardship Opportunities in Fish Bearing Streams and stewardship groups operating in those units was also created. A Survey for Stewardship Groups was sent to all relevant organizations, and interviews with members of those organizations were conducted in February and March of 2023. The Fish Bearing Stream report was submitted by the researcher on March 31, 2023 that included:
List of all the currently documented fish-bearing streams, according to the Marine Reference Guide
Comparison to other relevant resources on fish bearing streams in order to provide a gap analysis on fish-bearing streams in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound
A summary of the stewardship societies operating within project scope
Documented and potential fish-bearing streams
Potential future restoration and monitoring activities
Steps to improve the stewardship of fish-bearing creeks based on the opportunities identified in this report has been underway. This project initiated the Gambier Island Streamkeeping Project - Knowing our Fish Creeks on Cha7élkwnech / Gambier Island.
The organizations listed below are working to steward and protect fish-bearing creeks.
