Photo by Whitehorse Star
Kristina Kane
Chinooks’return to Fox Creek delights First Nation
The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC) is celebrating a big success this week.
The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC) is celebrating a big success this week.
Members are marking the return of nine chinook salmon to Fox Creek, a tributary to Lake Laberge, approximately 50 kilometres north of Whitehorse.
Traditional knowledge indicates that years ago, a spawning population was supported there.
TKC, in partnership with Yukon College and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have released anywhere from 26,000 to 50,000 juvenile chinook salmon into Fox Creek each summer.
The exercise has been part of the multi-year Chinook Stock Restoration program that is now in its ninth year. This year, 38,000 juvenile chinook were released.
September 2013 was the first time TKC’s restoration program saw chinook return to Fox Creek, with three adult fish discovered during regular creek walks by the council’s lands, resources and heritage team.
“I’m delighted to announce that our program has shown success again, and that TKC is contributing to not only preserving an important part of our heritage but the protection and enhancement of the chinook salmon,” said TKC Chief Kristina Kane.
The salmon survival percentage from a fry release of 10,000 is anywhere from 35 to 350 fish. However, a single female fish can lay up to 8,000 eggs.
Salmon have long been an integral aspect of the Ta’an Kwäch’än culture and tradition, as Fox Creek lies in the heart of Ta’an Kwäch’än traditional territory.
Poor returns of chinook salmon in recent years emphasize the need for stock restoration projects.
“The return of these salmon is happening at a time when it is of the utmost importance to support the chinook, when their projected return to Canada is below historical records,” Kane said.
“The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council supports the recovery of chinook.
“We will continue our efforts on all fronts as we work with our partners to see healthy returns of the chinook salmon in the future.”
In working toward the restoration of the chinook, TKC partnered to create a video, Ta’an Mun Salmon Culture, geared toward youth and made from footage at TKC’s culture camp in 2014.
In 2005, the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council began researching the feasibility of reintroducing chinook salmon fry into Fox Creek.
Field work was undertaken by TKC community stewards in preparation for stock restoration.
In September 2008, eggs were collected and fertilized from adult chinook salmon donated from the Whitehorse Rapids Fish Ladder.
The fry were reared over the winter at the McIntyre Creek incubation facility.
Since 2007, the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Lands, Resources and Heritage Department monitors juvenile growth, overwintering success, and will count adult returns to Fox Creek.
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Comments (10)
Up 5 Down 7
Salar on Aug 25, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Fox Creek, like any creek downstream of the dam is affected by the fluctuating water levels created when power is demanded.....if you remove habitat or affect it by an activity, you need to allow for mitigation, hence the Whitehorse rapids Fish hatchery.
It's a fact we and the fish and wildlife of the Yukon have to live with the dam....and true, I can't produce all that power on my own. But enhancement projects are a requirement. Thank you's are not required.
Up 16 Down 1
Mark S on Aug 25, 2015 at 12:16 pm
A few comments.
Fox Creek is downstream of the Whitehorse dam and not influenced by the dam.
Janet Patterson is correct in that the YEC provides Chinook fry for the project and should be recognized for their contribution to this project through the operation of the Whitehorse Rapids fish hatchery.
It will take many years for Chinook restoration and enhancement programs to be successful and there are not many of these programs funded through the Yukon River Restoration and Enhancement Fund.
All involved in this project deserve credit for their efforts. Thank you Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and staff, Janet and the YEC, Whitehorse Rapids fish hatchery staff, and the Yukon River Panel. And finally, there are many other creeks in Canada which could benefit from similar programs.
Up 1 Down 1
Just saying on Aug 25, 2015 at 10:11 am
The Ta'an Kwach'an Council, had lots of help on this project, many funding agencies and volunteers... it is a positive initiative... and credit is given where credit is due in all reports and presentations...
I attended the Yukon River Panel meeting here in Whitehorse last year, and the presentation on this project was amazing, and a lot of people and organizations contributed...
Salar makes a good point, and nothing is for free in this world we all know that... and if we are going to take that approach, let's send a big thank you to Canadian Tire for the axes and chest waders that were purchased to assist the crew working on this project.... Just saying....
Up 0 Down 1
Website on Aug 24, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Because they didn't come from YEC but from the McIntyre Creek/Yukon College work, supported through the Yukon River Panel (check with Google!).
For an interesting perspective on salmon hatcheries, watch Dam Nation - ideally these fish will be able to naturally sustain themselves sooner than later.
Up 6 Down 15
Groucho d' North on Aug 23, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Come-on folks lets be fair. Janet is displaying the kind of dedication we say we would like to see more of in government workers. She's doing her job. If YEC helped to make this project the success it is they deserve to be recognized too, although I would hope that the publically-owned utility would focus their wildlife support efforts on preventing ravens and gophers from getting scorched and causing these frequent power failures. - no I did not say interruptions. I said FAILURES. Because not addressing the issue is a failure. Put some R&D into that problem as a priority. But again - kudos for chipping in with the salmon fry. I am grateful for your corporate contributions Janet.
Up 50 Down 2
Salar on Aug 22, 2015 at 12:19 pm
At Janet Patterson.....yes Janet, let's recognize the reason for the initiative in the first place is the result of your dam........
Up 5 Down 6
Josey Wales on Aug 22, 2015 at 10:21 am
Aaaaawe Janet...have we upset you?
Maybe your master should focus on electrons and their travel into our life, economy...and leave the wee fry to others?
In regards to your masters role in that travel of electrons...."YEC is an important partner in this initiative and should be recognized as such."
They are...hence the switchboard looking like a light show many many maaaany times a year.
Up 13 Down 52
Janet Patterson on Aug 21, 2015 at 2:18 pm
It's disheartening that in all the coverage I have seen on this topic over the last few days, not once was it said that Yukon Energy provides the salmon fry for this project. YEC is an important partner in this initiative and should be recognized as such.
Up 23 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Aug 20, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Bravo to all involved in this outstanding project! My grandfather taught us that only about 10 in a million eggs laid will return as an adult to reproduce. With that ratio, this is an remarkable accomplishment.
I hope that there is continued and perhaps increased support for this and similar reintroduction projects for Yukon drainages' salmon species.
I web searched for more info on the project and found quite a bit - but it is scattered all over the place. Perhaps some web design students could be encouraged to build a website focused on this project & include a donation button so people like me can Paypal you some funds to continue your great work.
Up 23 Down 0
Yukon 56 on Aug 20, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Absolutely wonderful!!!!