| ID |
2022 |
| Citation |
Gottesfeld, A. and D. Latremouille, 2011. The Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) of Morrison and Tahlo Lakes British Columbia, and Their Importance to the Salmon Fisheries of the Skeena Watershed, Skeena Fisheries Commission. |
| Organization |
Skeena Fisheries Commission |
| URL |
http://skeenafisheries.ca/images/uploads/documents/Morrison%20Lake%20Sockeye%20Review.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Tahlo/Morrison sockeye conservation unit (CU) is the second largest sockeye CU in the Skeena Watershed. The sockeye production of the Tahlo/Morrison conservation unit contributes between 3% and 9% of the total combined escapement to Babine and Tahlo/Morrison (Babine Fence Count). DNA analysis of the Tyee Test Fishery for 2000-2010 suggests that the Tahlo/Morrison CU produces 7.5% of the total Skeena sockeye. Recorded escapements to Tahlo/Morrison are as high as 67,000. Since the escapement estimates are visual, they should probably be expanded at least two fold. Tahlo/Morrison spawners produce about one million fry that rear in Morrison Lake and Morrison Arm of Babine Lake. In 1994, nearly 500,000 fry were observed in Morrison Lake alone. Sockeye salmon are the most important sustenance item for the First Nations of the Skeena Watershed. Tahlo/Morrison contributions to Gitxsan and Gitanyow food, solical, and ceremonial fisheries of the Skeena River make up between 3.2% and 8.8% of the total depending on the calculation methodology used. The critical habitats of Tahlo/Morrison sockey are the spawning and rearing areas. All of the subpopulations of the Tahlo/Morrison conservation unit have critical habitat in the zone of impact from the proposed Morrison Mine. Tahlo/Morrison sockeye spawn in Morrison River or upstream in Morrison Lake or Tahlo Creek. Morrison Lake and Tahlo Creek spawners rear in Morrison Lake. Tahlo/Morrison sockeye fry utilize all portions of Morrison Lake and Morrison Arm at various times of the day and parts of the year. This includes deep waters of Morrison Lake where sockete sized salmonids were observed in 2011. |
| Information Type |
Report |
| Regional Watershed |
Skeena River |
| Sub-watershed if known |
Morrison River; Tahlo Creek |
| Aquifer # |
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| Comments |
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| Project status |
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| Contact Name |
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| Contact Email |
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