Genetically-identified salmon from the Flora Bank region, Skeena River estuary, 2013 and 2014.

 

C. Carr-Harris, A.S. Gottesfeld, J.W. Moore

 

 

Summary

We collected juvenile salmon in the Flora Bank region of the Skeena River estuary, within 3 km of the proposed LNG terminal project, and used genetic stock identification with microsatellites to identify their population of origin. These analyses were performed on Chinook and sockeye salmon, but not on the pink salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead that were also collected in the estuary because their genetic variation is less well described.  

 

The probability (P) that at least one fish captured in the estuary was from the population of interest was a function of the product of the n individual probabilities that estuary fish came from that population of interest (Xi): 

 

 

 

 

We also identified the First Nation whose territory includes the spawning stream or lake. First Nations territories can overlap – our general approach was to be inclusive without implications for resolution of disputes.

 

These results were based on the previously published research (Carr-Harris et al. 2015), with an additional year of samples. More information about the study site and the methods can be found in (Carr-Harris et al. 2015).

 

There were over 40 different salmon populations identified that come from at least 10 different First Nations territories.

 

Reference:

(1) Carr-Harris, C., Gottesfeld, A.S., Moore J.W. (2015) Juvenile salmon usage of the Skeena River estuary. PLoS ONE 10(3): e0118988. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118911 (pdf)

 

 

 

 

Table. Genetically-identified juvenile salmon sampled in the Flora Bank region of the Skeena estuary collected during 2013 and 2014, and the First Nations whose territories include the spawning streams or lakes of these populations.