Xwulqw’selu Sta’lo’ is a salmon-bearing river. As we engage in streamflow monitoring at the river and at its tributaries, we sometimes spot fish in pools, puddles and streams. We ask ourselves: are the fish healthy or are they in distress? Are they stranded? What should I do?
Almost one year ago – in July 2023 – there was a massive die-off of juvenile salmon in the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’. Estimates suggest approximately 84,000 juvenile trout died in July 2023. Concerned citizens reported the event, and local governments and water stewardship leaders have since created plans and taken corrective action to improve flow management and fish habitat. Other citizens have participated in carefully planned fish relocation activities.
As streamflow monitors, our observations and actions matter. What would you do if you spotted fish that may be in distress?
For an interesting and engaging primer about fish relocation alternatives, considerations, techniques, and identification, tune in to this hour-long Natural Habitat Adventures webinar feature with Kristina Disney. Short on time? Read on for a quick summary of key points.
What causes fish to experience stress?
Fish can experience stress due to:
- Warm temperatures
- Low levels of oxygen dissolved in the water
- Overcrowding
- Little access to food
- Eutrophication (excessive plant and algal growth)
Should we relocate fish?
While it may be tempting to relocate or “rescue” fish, this may do more harm than good; fish experience more stress when they are being moved. The added stress can cause the fish to die. Relocating fish requires expertise, proper equipment, careful planning, and permits. Experts only relocate fish as a last resort after determining the feasibility of relocation and survivability.
Alternatives include:
- Reconnecting isolated pools to the mainstem channel to improve water flow. This is achieved by creating a manual trench with hand tools.
- Temporarily diverting water from another groundwater or surface water source using pipes or pumps.
- Supplementing stream discharge through water management (such as releasing water at dams to increase flow, or reducing water withdrawals from pumping).
- Using diffusers and aerators to add oxygen to the isolated habitat.
Read more here:
Emergency Juvenile Salmonid Relocation-Final Draft June 2024
SEP Emergency Adult Salmon Relocation Guidelines-Final Draft_ updated June 2024
As river stewards, what can we do?
- Assess the situation to determine if this is an emergency.
Answer 4 questions:
- Do the fish have oxygen? Consider purchasing and carrying an aquarium kit to test the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish can survive for only 12-24 hours in water with 3.0 parts per million of dissolved oxygen, while 6.0 ppm supports spawning. Higher levels of dissolved oxygen support fish growth, activity and abundance.
- Can the fish stay cool? Take the temperature of the water: 20 degrees Celcius is too hot, and 5 degrees Celsius is too cold.
- Do the fish have access to food? Look for sources, such as invertebrates in the streambed, insects on the water, and plankton.
- Are the fish safe from predation? Consider whether the fish can be easily spotted by birds, and whether they have places to hide (such as near woody debris or under the cover of branches suspended over the water’s surface).
2. Document our observations.
Take photos and make note of:
- The date and time we see the fish
- The location of the fish
- The isolated habitat of the fish. What is the distance from the wetted channel? How deep is the pool or channel? Is it fed by groundwater?
- The temperature of the water
- Who made the observations (our name and the names of people with us)
3. Consider creating a temporary shelter for the fish above the surface of the water. This could provide the fish with protection from predators and create shade (thus lowering the water temperature and slowing down evaporation). Look for materials nearby, such as logs, sticks, or natural debris. Record our actions so we can share them with others.
4. Report the situation to inform experts about the emergency and enable them to respond accordingly.
- Share our observations with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Either call the “Observe Record Report line” at 1-800-465-4336 or send an email to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Share our observations with the Pacific Salmon Foundation using their Drought Affecting Salmon Reporting Tool at: https://psf.ca/report/ Information reported through this tool will be shared with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
5. Learn more about the lifecycle of fish, how to identify salmon species, and what’s involved with fry rescue.
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