Scientific Fish Collection - Permit Application

Al Irvine


Al Irvine
New Graph Environment Ltd.

250-777-1518
Date Original: 2025-07-25
Date Revised: 2025-08-06

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
and
Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Re: Scientific Fish Collection Permit Application

Please note that permitting to Fisheries and Oceans Canada is requested for inventory purposes only. PIT tagging is NOT proposed for salmon species. PIT tagging is proposed to the Provincial Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) for provincial jurisdiction species only to monitor fish movement and growth over multiple years.


A summary of sites proposed for assessment, including historic fish presence records from FISS, is provided in Tables 2 to 3. Fish species known to occur within each watershed are summarized in Table 4. An overview map showing potential sample locations is presented in Figure 1. A KML file (google earth) and GPX file (for garmin gps devices) of all sites is attached to the application with latest versions downloadable here or here. The KML includes detailed site-specific information accessible by clicking on each location in google earth, with brief summaries of background reports where available.


Brief description of project/activities

This work is a multi-year collaboration of many groups and an initiative of the Society for Ecosystem Restoration Northern BC. Funding for the project is through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Society for Ecosystem Restoration Northern BC, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI). Al Irvine, R.P.Bio from New Graph Environment Ltd. is leading the fieldwork with field and office collaboration with teams from throughout the study area. Previous reports are provided below:


Rationale for sampling

Rationale for sampling is to inform fish presence/absence, species composition/density, abundance estimates, movement, growth, and survival as part of habitat confirmations and effectiveness monitoring related to fish passage restoration at barrier culverts. Habitat confirmation methodology information can be referenced in the above reports which builds on the Fish Passage Technical Working Group Phase 2 protocol. Presence/absence of fish, species composition/abundance, distribution limits and fish movement can be useful for prioritizing which crossings are a best fit for fish passage restoration and inform baseline as well as follow up effectiveness monitoring.


Methodologies

Sampling methodologies will be dependent on the site, fish species suspected, type of habitat encountered, risks to aquatic organisms potentially present (Table 1) and ongoing communications. Sampling methods may include minnowtrapping, electrofishing, and dip netting upstream and downstream of current and past barrier culvert locations.


Sampling is proposed at streams included in Tables 2 - 3 where we will be performing habitat confirmation assessments and follow up site visits related to past habitat confirmations/fish passage remediations.


PIT Tagging

As part of this permit application we are proposing tagging for provincial jurisdiction species only. PIT tagging is not proposed for salmon species. When time allows and tagging is expected to improve knowledge of a system, our study plan is to electrofish small sites both upstream and downstream of priority culvert “barrier” sites and implant Biomark APT12 PIT tags in the abdominal cavity of select fish over 60mm in fork length. To anesthetize fish prior to PIT tagging, we use a clove oil solution at 0.1mL/L (1:10,000), which provides effective sedation with minimal residual effects (Fernandes et al. 2017). The solution is prepared by dissolving clove oil in ethyl alcohol at a 1:9 ratio before mixing into water (Fernandes et al. 2017). Site location (UTM), fish length and weight will also be collected. In addition to providing information on abundance upstream and downstream of potential culvert restoration sites, the study will also provide information for monitoring programs to document fish movement, growth and survival at sites over multi-year time frames. Main objectives are to:

  1. Determine if fish are moving into restored areas
  2. Determine if before any remediation is conducted - fish are moving through sites where stream crossing structures (culverts) likely cause connectivity issues
  3. Evaluate if productivity of the systems are increasing following bridge installation and/or if fish are moving upstream/downstream of where replaced/removed structures are located


Dependent on how relevant tracking information would be to inform restoration actions, we may wish to tag select fish over 60mm in each site sampled. We would like to apply for a permit allowing a maximum of 600 fish tagged with a maximum of 150 fish/stream. Although we are requesting a maximum of 150 fish/stream, we have listed 150 fish of each species per stream because we will not know the species composition of the sites until the sampling occurs. In general, only salmonid and burbot species will be tagged with likely species present being rainbow trout, bull trout, and burbot. Based on past assessments in the same and similiar systems in the region, the number of fish tagged per stream are very likely to be much less than 150, however we are requesting the maximum number of fish to be tagged to facilitate permit application procedures and allow for flexibility in the field based on actual sampling results.


Risks associated with project/activities and associated mitigation

Table 1: Risks and mitigation
Impact Mitigation
High Voltage Injuries Use the minimum effective voltage. Avoid contacting fish with the anode. Avoid electrofishing directly adjacent to metal culverts.
Disruption of Spawning Avoid electrofishing during highest risk periods in likely spawning habitat.
Physical Stress on Fish Quick/gentle handling and release of captured fish. Use of clove oil to anesthetize fish.
Injury from PIT Tagging Surgeries Shallow insertion of tags and use of fresh sterile syringes every approximately 10 surgeries
Mortality in traps due to predation and starvation Ensure all traps set are retrieved within 24 hours.


Please note that the sampling will be completed before October 31 (end of August till early October) however the end-date of the sampling period is listed as Dec 31 on the application to allow time outside of the busy field season for the data to be processed, QA’d and organized so that required reporting can be as informative as possible when submitted. An example of how we have been presenting results and methodologies from past assessments can be referenced in reports above.


Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information or have any questions or concerns.

signature Al Irvine, R.P.Bio

Location of potential sample sites.

Figure 1: Location of potential sample sites.

Table 2: Potential sampling locations.
Site ID Stream Name Watershed Code UTM Zone UTM Easting UTM Northing Watershed Group Code
12200024 – 100-593800-03100-20600-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 515409 5989806 LSAL
12202167 – 100-593800-25800-29500-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 496209 5999657 LSAL
126267 Stephanie Cr. 100-596500-54900-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 583374 5911978 WILL
126290 Hay Creek 100-596500-03300-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 537250 5991350 WILL
126316 Wansa Creek 100-596500-15700-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 551588 5970657 WILL
196051 Unnamed 100-574400-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 526285 5978523 TABR
196072 Cale Creek 100-553400-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 522679 5956610 TABR
196085 Tabor Creek 100-559300-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 518502 5962002 TABR
196151 Cale Creek 100-553400-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 524160 5957999 TABR
196201 Haggith Creek 100-560100-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 521127 5965112 TABR
196207 Hudson Bay Slough 100-567900-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 516996 5972733 TABR
196264 Parkridge Creek 100-562800-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 515025 5966533 TABR
196328 Archer Creek 100-596500-82000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 573972 5894796 WILL
196340 Slough Creek 100-596500-90900-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 590481 5882133 WILL
19702777 – 100-535900-08600-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 517279 5936628 TABR
19703257 Tabor Creek 100-559300-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 518845 5961982 TABR
19703286 Bittner Creek 100-572700-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 521864 5976392 TABR
19703295 – 100-587900-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 526448 5985791 TABR
19703303 Bertschi Creek 100-580500-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 522978 5980978 TABR
19703358 Trapping Creek 100-536400-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 520105 5935908 TABR
199171 Burnt Cabin Creek 180-374000-33800-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 388946 5997015 FRAN
199172 Scotch Creek 180-374000-36600-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 388276 5996950 FRAN
199173 Tributary To Nechako River 180-364700-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 398938 5996429 NECR
199190 Clear Creek 180-296000-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 425562 5996164 NECR
199237 Snowshoe Creek 100-770300-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 650785 5934863 MORK
199260 Tributary To Sugarbowl Creek 100-683800-01900-12800-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 587921 5972451 MORK
199267 Driscoll Creek 100-698700-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 606373 5965783 MORK
199278 Teepee Creek 100-907400-42800-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 11 344034 5862741 UFRA
24400646 Rucheon Creek 100-596500-84300-21000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 577020 5886032 WILL
24401504 Tsadestsa Creek 100-596500-10600-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 536470 5981315 WILL
24401692 – 100-596500-11200-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 541465 5981577 WILL
24402183 – 100-596500-11100-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 541358 5981709 WILL
24723694 Cale Creek 100-553400-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 521645 5955176 TABR
24723695 Red Rock Creek 100-545900-00000-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 521513 5949553 TABR
24727190 Wansa Creek 100-596500-15700-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 556416 5962053 WILL
7622 Burnt Cabin Creek 180-374000-33800-00000-0000-0000-000-000-000-000-000-000 10 388738 5997154 FRAN
Table 3: Potential sample site details
Site ID Stream Name Species Upstream # Fish Tags
12200024 – BB;C;EB;LKC;LNC;LSU;NSC;RB;RSC 150
12202167 – – 150
126267 Stephanie Cr. RB 150
126290 Hay Creek BB;BMC;BT;CAS;CC;CH;CSU;DV;LDC;LKC;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC;SP;SU;WSU 150
126316 Wansa Creek CBC;CH;CT;DV;RB;RSC;SP;SU;WF 150
196051 Unnamed – 150
196072 Cale Creek CSU;EB;LNC;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC 150
196085 Tabor Creek BB;C;CSU;DV;EB;LKC;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC;SB;SP;SU 150
196151 Cale Creek CSU;EB;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC 150
196201 Haggith Creek – 150
196207 Hudson Bay Slough LKC;RB 150
196264 Parkridge Creek RB;SP 150
196328 Archer Creek BT;RB 150
196340 Slough Creek BB;CCG;LKC;RB;SP;WSU 150
19702777 – – 150
19703257 Tabor Creek BB;C;CSU;DV;EB;LKC;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC;SB;SP;SU 150
19703286 Bittner Creek CCG;CSU;LSU;RB;RSC;SU 150
19703295 – – 150
19703303 Bertschi Creek – 150
19703358 Trapping Creek RB 150
199171 Burnt Cabin Creek – 150
199172 Scotch Creek – 150
199173 Tributary To Nechako River SP 150
199190 Clear Creek LKC;LSU 150
199237 Snowshoe Creek EB;LKC;RB;RSC;ST 150
199260 Tributary To Sugarbowl Creek – 150
199267 Driscoll Creek CCG;RB 150
199278 Teepee Creek SA 150
24400646 Rucheon Creek RB 150
24401504 Tsadestsa Creek – 150
24401692 – – 150
24402183 – – 150
24723694 Cale Creek CSU;EB;LNC;LSU;MW;NSC;PCC;RB;RSC 150
24723695 Red Rock Creek RSC 150
24727190 Wansa Creek CBC;CH;CT;DV;RB;RSC;SP;SU;WF 150
7622 Burnt Cabin Creek – 150


Table 4: Fish species recorded in the Fisheries Information Summary System within the freshwater atlas watershed group areas where the potential sample sites are located.
Scientific Name Species Name BC List COSEWIC Francois Lake Lower Chilako Lower Salmon Morkill Nechako Tabor Upper Fraser Willow
Acipenser transmontanus White Sturgeon No Status E/T (Nov 2012) Yes Yes – Yes Yes Yes – –
Carassius auratus Goldfish Exotic – – Yes – – – – – –
Catostomus catostomus Longnose Sucker Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Catostomus columbianus Bridgelip Sucker Yellow – Yes – Yes – Yes Yes – –
Catostomus commersonii White Sucker Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Catostomus macrocheilus Largescale Sucker Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Catostomus platyrhynchus Northern Mountain Sucker Blue SC (Nov 2010) – Yes – – – – – –
Chrosomus neogaeus Finescale Dace Yellow – Yes – – – – – – –
Coregonus clupeaformis Lake Whitefish Yellow – Yes Yes Yes – Yes – – Yes
Cottus asper Prickly Sculpin Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Cottus cognatus Slimy Sculpin Yellow – Yes Yes – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cottus ricei Spoonhead Sculpin Yellow NAR (May 1989) Yes – – – – – Yes –
Couesius plumbeus Lake Chub Yellow DD Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cyprinus carpio Carp Exotic – Yes – – – – – – –
Hybognathus hankinsoni Brassy Minnow No Status – Yes Yes Yes – Yes Yes – Yes
Lota lota Burbot Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass Exotic – – – – – Yes – – –
Mylocheilus caurinus Peamouth Chub Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Oncorhynchus clarkii Cutthroat Trout No Status – Yes – – – – – – Yes
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pink Salmon Yellow – – Yes Yes – – – – Yes
Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho Salmon Yellow – Yes Yes – – Yes – – Yes
Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow Trout Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Oncorhynchus mykiss Steelhead Yellow – – – – Yes – – – –
Oncorhynchus nerka Kokanee Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Oncorhynchus nerka Sockeye Salmon Yellow – Yes Yes – Yes Yes – Yes –
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook Salmon Yellow E/T/SC (Dec 2018) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Prosopium coulterii Pygmy Whitefish Yellow NAR (Nov 2016) – Yes – – Yes Yes Yes Yes
Prosopium cylindraceum Round Whitefish Yellow – – – – Yes – – – –
Prosopium williamsoni Mountain Whitefish Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ptychocheilus oregonensis Northern Pikeminnow Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Rhinichthys cataractae Longnose Dace Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rhinichthys falcatus Leopard Dace Yellow NAR (May 1990) Yes Yes Yes – Yes Yes – Yes
Richardsonius balteatus Redside Shiner Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
Salvelinus confluentus Anadromous Bull Trout Blue SC (Nov 2012) – – – – Yes – – –
Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout Blue SC (Nov 2012) Yes Yes – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Salvelinus fontinalis Brook Trout Exotic – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes –
Salvelinus malma Dolly Varden Yellow – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Salvelinus namaycush Lake Trout Yellow – Yes Yes – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
– All Salmon – – – Yes – – – – – –
– Arctic Char – – – – – – – – – Yes
– Char, General – – – – – – – – Yes –
– Chub (General) – – Yes Yes Yes – Yes – – Yes
– Dace (General) – – Yes Yes Yes – Yes Yes – –
– Lamprey (General) – – – – Yes – – – – –
– Minnow (General) – – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes – Yes
– Northern Pearl Dace – – Yes – – – – – – –
– Salmon (General) – – – Yes – Yes – – Yes Yes
– Sculpin (General) – – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
– Stickleback (General) – – – – – – – Yes – –
– Sucker (General) – – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
– Whitefish (General) – – Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes


References

Fernandes, I. M., Y. F. Bastos, D. S. Barreto, L. S. Lourenço, and J. M. Penha. 2017. “The Efficacy of Clove Oil as an Anaesthetic and in Euthanasia Procedure for Small-Sized Tropical Fishes.” Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasleira De Biologia 77 (3): 444–50. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.15015.