Kwinamass and Khutzeymateen Rivers Chinook Salmon Escapement Surveys

The Chinook escapements to the Kwinamass and Khutzamateen Rivers are an important domestic management consideration, as these systems are indicators of coastal chinook abundance in Area 3. The seine Chinook release requirement is linked to the status of these stocks. Kwinamass escapements are part of the Nisga’a Treaty area and the escapement estimates are used as part of the Nisga’a allocation calculations.
This project will provide two helicopter-based aerial and float surveys of the Kwinamass and Khutzamateen rivers. The aerial and float survey methods have been calibrated through mark-recapture projects previously funded through the Northern fund.