| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Nechako River was sampled with gillnets, cod traps and angling during two periods from September 8-27 and from October 18 – November 1 for the purposes of capturing white sturgeon under 1 metre total length. Sampling was focused from slightly upstream of Vanderhoof downstream to the confluence of the Stuart River. Efforts in 2007 were a continuation of focused juvenile white sturgeon sampling programs conducted in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The intent of these sampling programs was to gather information about the status of juvenile white sturgeon recruitment into the Nechako population, and provide insight into factors affecting their survival and recruitment. Additionally, these sampling efforts are determining information to inform the format of a standardized “index type” program to monitor juvenile sturgeon recruitment into the Nechako’s population on an ongoing basis. Monitoring the success or failure of recovery actions, relative to their goal of improving the rate of juvenile recruitment into the population, including monitoring the survival, health and distribution of hatchery-reared juveniles, is a key component of the Recovery Strategy for the Nechako’s white sturgeon population. A total of 450 panel-hours of gillnetting effort, 5823 hours of cod trapping effort and 33 rod-hours of angling were applied during the sampling program in 2007. A total of two white sturgeon were captured, both via gillnetting. The larger (127cm TL) of the two sturgeon captured was not successfully aged. The 2nd white sturgeon captured (89cm TL) was aged 15years. Both sturgeon were captured at rkm 114.5, slightly downstream of the Sinkut River confluence. A total of 926 other fish were captured during the sampling program, including 82 sportfish. CPUE was hampered in 2007, relative to previous years, by the record high water levels experienced during the sampling program. |
