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Fisheries Department

March 2017 – 2017 Expected Sockeye Return

Invisible Migration in Fort Babine

The Lake Babine Nation hosted and was co-sponsored by SWCC an Invisible Migration event to celebrate the sockeye smolts leaving the Lake to the Ocean (Estuary) on May 11,2015.  The event was a huge success! We had over 300 people attend the event.  The event consisted of:

  • Introductions
  • Fire made Bannock
  • Fire roasted Salmon
  • Snacks and Refreshments
  • Helicopter Flights
  • Smolt Program Boat Tours
  • Offering to the Smolts
  • Release if Smolts
  • The entertainment was provided by the LBN Drum Group
  • Lunch at the Fort Babine Gym – Including door prizes

The Invisible Migration Ceremonial offering and Smolt release

Salmon Smolths Invisible Migration on CFNR Network Website:

Link: CFNR – Pictures from the Celebration in Fort Babine:

Mission Statement: “To protect and conserve the fisheries resources and habitats within the Lake Babine Nation Territory for the benefit of all members, present and future”

The Lake Babine Nation (LBN) Fisheries Program (Ned’u’ten Fisheries) was created in 1991 when LBN engaged Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) via the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS). The Fisheries Program is funded in-part by Fisheries and Oceans Canada through the AFS. The purpose of the program is to co- manage salmonid stocks within the Lake Babine Nation’s Traditional Territory. The Lake Babine Nation values the fisheries resource within their Territory and therefore actively participates in all aspects of Fisheries Management.

The Lake Babine Nation is proud to act as stewards of the Longest Lake in BC and Babine River. Our Lake is the nursery to~ 90% of the Skeena Sockeye Run, which is the main staple of our diet. Since time immemorial LBN members have regarded the return of the salmon as an integral part of their survival.

Program Objectives:

    • To ensure productivity and viability of the fisheries resources for Future generations.
    • To Actively Participate in Fisheries Management decisions.
    • To monitor the health and status of salmonids and their habitat within the Nation’s Territory.
    • To actively participate in proposed projects that may impact on fisheries resources.
    • To monitor and research the effects of uncertainties such as Climate Change and the Pine Beetle Epidemic on Fish and Fish habitat.

The Fisheries Program Structure:

    • Fisheries Manager
    • Fort Babine Field Technician Crew (3)
    • Tachet Field Technician Crew (3)
    • Donald’s Landing Field Technician Crew (3)
    • Contract Biologists (2)
    • Catch Monitors (7-8)
    • Creel Clerks (3)
    • CEDP Project (3 Technicians)
    • Babine Fence (5 Technicians)
    • Special Projects (2-3)
    • Council Members – Fisheries Portfolio holders (2)

Crews are trained in:

      • Fish Identification
      • Habitat assessments including fry sampling, water quality monitoring
      • Access management techniques
      • Safe work procedures including: First Aid, Chainsaw Safety, Bear Aware, ATV, UTV safe handling, Flat water safety and other Safety Courses as pertains to the jobs at hand.
      • Biological sampling techniques
      • Biological sampling techniques