Simpcw Fisheries

Dunn Creek HatcheryDunn Creek Hachery02.jpg

Simpcw manages and operates a Fish Hatchery adjacent to Dunn Creek, where they raise salmon to support local waterways. The hatchery was established in 1983, when Coho were raised in the base of the chlorination shack of the band. However, it was soon discovered that moving the smolts out of their temporary “home” for release was difficult, and a more permanent solution was needed. This led to the construction of the Dunn Lake Hatchery at the South end of Dunn Lake in 1984; initially lake pens were built, but these too were unsatisfactory due to warm water temperatures which led to many mortalities among the Coho juvenile stocks.

In 1992, an agreement was signed with Land & Water BC, which allowed Simpcw tenure on the banks of Dunn Creek. This new site allowed for the hatchery to be ground-water fed, lowering the water temperature and decreasing fish mortality rates.

Currently, we produce 20,000 Coho salmon from Dunn Creek each year, and in 2015 we began to produce an additional 20,000 Coho from the Deadman River on behalf of Skeetchestn Hatchery.

The hatchery program is overseen by a partnership comprised of Simpcw’s Natural Resource Department and a Community Advisor for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The main focus of the hatchery and Simpcw’s fisheries program is the conservation, protection and management of fish populations within Simpcúl’ecw. In past years, the Simpcw Fisheries Program has been involved in the following projects and tasks:

  • Chinook salmon enumeration programs on Raft River, and Finn, Louis and Lemieux Creeks
  • Catch monitoring throughout Simpcúl’ecw
  • Stewardship program for the Upper Fraser River and the North Thompson River watersheds
  • A selective harvest fence on the Barriere River
  • Summer Youth programs
  • Habitat restoration projects on a variety of streams throughout Simpcúl’ecw
  • Providing educational curriculum for Neqweyqwelsten School and other local elementary schools
  • Working with licensees and industries within Simpcúl’ecw to preserve fish habitat

 

Selective Fishing Program

This program focuses on the conservation and management of fish stocks within Simpcúl’ecw. Starting in 1993, Simpcw First Nation received funding through the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy in order to conduct catch monitoring. This allows Simpcw to not only pay attention to fish stocks in our local waterways, but also informs Simpcw members where fish is in abundance. Today, Simpcw is a leader in selective fish harvesting methods within the Secwepemc Nation. Several local rivers and tributaries have proven to be popular for selective fishing techniques:

  • Raft River
  • North Thompson River
  • Clearwater River
  • Holmes River
  • Upper Fraser River
  • Barriere River

 

Special Events Organized by the Fisheries Department

Coho Day:

This mid- to late-October event welcomes visitors from local schools, Barriere and Clearwater, and has been one of the longest-running traditions within the Simpcw community. 2015 marked the 20th anniversary of this celebration, where the Hatchery hosts a “home cooked” lunch and showcases the Hatchery with various activities and exhibitions.

Raft River First Fish Ceremony:

In 2015, Simpcw hosted the 11th annual First Fish Ceremony, which is held at the Raft River Viewing Platform in Clearwater. On this day, Simpcw invites guests to participate in several activities that highlight Simpcw’s culture and history, including pit cooking, sockeye salmon viewing, storytelling and a traditional game called Lehal.

Raft River Interpretative School Program:

This program, aimed at school children throughout Simpcúl’ecw, celebrated its 11th year of operation at the Raft River Viewing Platform and the nearby (former) DFO Compound in Clearwater. In 2012, 654 students participated in the program, coming from the local communities of Heffley Creek, Barriere, Chu Chua, Raft River, Vavenby and Blue River. This 3-day program includes four stations which relay information about Simpcw Culture & Fisheries, BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands, Invasive Fish Species and a Fish Print. Simpcw First Nation works in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the District of Clearwater and the North Thompson Community Resource Centre to offer this program to local youth.


For more information or inquiries, please contact:

Tina Donald – Fisheries & Wildlife Coordinator

Fisheries.Manager@Simpcw.com

P: 250.672.9995 Ext: 262

Simpcw Fisheries