Terms of Reference

Skeena Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Conservation Units

Regional Peer Review - Pacific Region

June 20, 2012
Nanaimo, BC

Chairperson: Michael Folkes

Context

The primary step in strategy 1 of Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2005) is the identification of Conservation Units. While Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not included in the Wild Salmon Policy, their similar biology and capture in fisheries targeting salmon would suggest Steelhead Conservation Units identification might aid fisheries management. In the interest of applying this approach to Skeena Steelhead, the Provincial Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources evaluated populations as Conservation Units using methods from Holtby & Ciruna (2007).

Objectives

The review of this paper has two objectives:

• Describe the information available to aid identification of Skeena Steelhead Conservation Units.
• Identify Skeena Steelhead Conservation Units.

Considerations for addressing these objectives: 

• Has all information utilized in the analysis been adequately documented?
• Is uncertainty/confidence in the information represented?
• What have been the roles of biological verses non-biological information in Conservation Unit identification?
• When identifying Conservation Units, did the authors solely apply the methods described in Holtby & Ciruna (2007), or were new methods developed?
• Should additional information be considered in the identification of Skeena Steelhead Conservation Units?

Expected publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
• CSAS Research Document (1)
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Fisheries Management Branch
• Province of BC
• Commercial and recreational fishing interests
• First Nations
• Non-government organizations
• Academia

References Cited

Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2005. Canada's policy for the conservation of wild pacific salmon. 49pp+v

Holtby, L.B., and Ciruna, K.A. 2007. Conservation Units for Pacific Salmon under the Wild Salmon Policy. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. Research Document. 2007/070 350pp+viii.