Monitoring Chinook Salmon on the Harrison River

Question 1

Why and how do you tag the adult Chinook Salmon in the Harrison River?

Answer 1

• The adult chinook salmon are tagged for a Petersen mark- recapture population esitmate.
• A plastic disc with a unique number is attached to a wire and put through the base of the Chinook’s dorsal fin.

Question 2

List some facts about the life history of chinook

4 facts - think about their life cycle and size

Answer 2

• They are the largest out of the 5 species
• Spawning takes place in large streams and mojor river systems
• Adults return to spawn in 2 to 8 years, most fish are 3 to 4 years old when they come back
• Young live in fresh water for up to a year before going to the ocean

Question 3

Why have chinook salmon in the Harrison river declined in numbers?

Answer 3

• Harrison river used to have the largest chinook population in BC
• They are now in decline due to habitat destruction
• Deveolpoments such as the roberts bank terminal 2 expansion does not have any proper juvinile fish passage throug it so the juvilne fish have to make their way around it