Fish & Wildlife
Seabird Island’s leadership works tirelessly to protect Indigenous access to fisheries and natural habitats in our territory. Learn about our advocacy efforts and stewardship initiatives.
Thank you to everyone that attended Fish & Wildlife’s first annual Ripple Report event! Our team was overjoyed by the thoughtful discussion periods and feedback. We have summarized the most frequent feedback received during the event.
- Fish & Wildlife Team
Protecting Indigenous Fishing Rights and Habitat at Seabird Island
At Seabird Island, fisheries and environmental stewardship is a top priority. Our elected Chief and Council members actively advocate for Indigenous fishing rights and habitat protection through:
- Participating in high-level provincial and federal negotiations
- Staying informed on fish populations and habitat status
- Providing input on proposed development projects
- Advocating for the rights of Indigenous people
- Taking political action to defend lands and resources
Seabird’s Fisheries & Wildlife team collaborate with local experts, consultants, and Indigenous knowledge holders to study and conserve critical habitat in our territory. Examples include conducting salmon spawner surveys and restoring sections of Maria Slough to improve flow and access for fish.
The Fisheries & Wildlife team conducts technical reviews of proposed land and waterway developments to assess environmental impacts and propose appropriate offsetting measures. While liaising with government agencies and industry stakeholders, our Fisheries & Wildlife team ensure that Indigenous rights under Section 35 and UNDRIP are being upheld as they relate to the use and conservation of our land, territories, and natural resources.
Together, Seabird’s technical staff and leadership works to uphold Indigenous access to fisheries and maintain the health of our lands and waters for future generations.
Learn more about Seabird Island’s efforts to advocate for sustainable fisheries and stewardship of natural habitats in our annual reports. We take great pride in protecting our territorial lands and waters.
How you can get involved:
We want to hear about what community members are interested in and how we can help address these interests. If you have specific interests that you would like to share with our team, please fill out this 3-minute survey.
In 2024, we’re looking forward to bringing community members out into the field with us!
If you’re a Seabird Island member and interested in joining our team out in the field, please fill out this form to be added to our email list. When you sign up for our email list, you will receive an email when there is an opportunity to join our team in the field. These emails will describe the type of survey, the necessary level of physical ability, what you can expect, and how to express your interest for that day of field work.
Fraser Salmon Bulletin | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Previous Bulletins
Fish & Wildlife Notices
Nov 15, 2024
Fisheries License | Chum Salmon
License Number: XFSC 335 2024
Valid From: November 1, 2024
Expiry Date: November 14, 2024
Species: CHUM SALMON (Oncorhynchus keta)
Aug 9, 2024
Fraser River Sockeye Update
Below is a summary of the August 9 Fraser Panel Meeting. For specific details, please refer to
the Fraser Panel distribution.
View Fraser River Sockeye In-season Update | View Fraser Panel Distribution
Maria Slough Restoration Project
The Maria Slough near Seabird Island provides important spawning grounds for a unique, endangered population of Chinook salmon. However, habitat degradation threatens this sensitive species.
Key habitat concerns:
- Low water levels and flow
- Declining water quality
- Development impacts
- Vegetation/grass growth
- Lack of connectivity between water channels
To aid recovery, restoration efforts will focus on:
- Selectively cutting channels between ponded areas
- Excavating deep gravel pits for spawning and cold water refuge
- Improving year-round hydraulic flow and connectivity
- Adding woody debris for improved salmonid rearing habitat
The goal is revitalizing accessible, clean, cold water flows to support all salmon life stages. Work will begin April 2023 through winter 2023. Outcomes will include increased salmon productivity in this vital spawning area.
Protecting fragile species like Maria Slough Chinook is crucial. Seabird Island is proud to lead stewardship initiatives that sustain ecosystems and Indigenous culture.
Summer 2024 Update
This summer our Fish and Wildlife team has been busy with community composition trapping and planning for fall activities. In preparation for the restoration work occurring in the Upper Maria Slough this winter, our team has been focusing our efforts on collecting data along the restoration path. Traps were set in May and August to collect information about which species are already present in the area. Presently, the Upper Slough contains many invasive species, like Brown Bullhead and Pumpkinseed, and fewer native individuals. Next year, following the restoration work, we will continue to set traps in the Upper Slough to assess the success of the restoration and determine how the species composition has changed.
Species present during May 2024 trapping session:
Species present during August 2024 trapping session:
Our team has some exciting projects coming up this fall. We have partnered with the District of Kent to replace the culvert along Chaplin Road and redistribute the gravel in the downstream spawning channel, improving the habitat for spawners. Following this work, our team will be planting on the bank of the spawning channel to create shade over the channel, reducing the water temperatures and adding complexity to the channel.
In the fall, we will be completing spawner surveys, recording the quantity and characteristics of the spawners returning to Maria Slough to Spawn. This fall, we will be inviting Seabird Island members to participate in spawner surveys. To be to join our spawner surveys, sign up to be a Fish & Wildlife volunteer.
What We Heard at the Ripple Report: 2023 Status of the Slough Event
- Attendees were interested in hearing about our monitoring program, including spawner surveys and water quality monitoring. Future monitoring and restoration plans were identified as an area of interest for community members.
- Community members support multi-year collection of data and are looking forward to hearing about how the dissolved oxygen levels, spawning periods and locations, and water depth compare.
- A strong emphasis was made on the importance of Salmon and Sturgeon for Seabird Island and how we should be prioritizing the protection and restoration of their habitats.
- Participants were interested in learning more about:
– Non-salmonid species at Seabird Island.
– Impact of invasive species at Seabird Island.
– Long-term monitoring and restoration plans, and how to reach food security.
– How agricultural run-off are impacting the health of Maria Slough.
– How restoration projects focused on enhancing Salmon habitat affect other species.
Our team is working to address the questions and feedback we received at the event. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to: FishandWildlife@seabirdisland.ca
Bob Chamberlin, chairman of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, is urging the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia to follow through on their commitment to transition away from Open-Net Pen aquaculture off the coast of BC.
Seeking More Information?
For more information on Seabird Island’s fisheries management and environmental stewardship, please contact:
Jillian Stewart, ABT, BTech
Biologist
Phone: (604) 796-6885
Email: FishandWildlife@seabirdisland.ca
Seabird Island actively advocates for sustainable fisheries and habitats in our territory. We welcome your questions and input on these important efforts. Reach out to discuss fisheries, restoration projects, volunteering, and more.
