Wed 7 May 2008
Oolichan Background and Native Cultural Importance
Eulachon (also known as oolichan) belong to the family Osmeridae or smelts. Eulachons are small, short-lived, anadromous smelts that can be found from the southern Bering Sea to northern California, approximately in the area corresponding to the coastal temperate rain forest. Within BC, they have been documented spawning in 33 rivers, but may only use 14-15 on a sustained basis. Of these, the major river systems where eulachon return to spawn are the Fraser, Skeena, Nass, and Klinaklini.
Eulachon oil is unique among fish oils in that it is a solid at room temperatures with the consistency of soft butter and a golden hue. As well as a source of fresh food, eulachon lipids may be extracted for ‘grease’ production. Eulachon grease continues to be an important part of the First Nations diet. The trails used to reach the traditional fisheries and to carry the rendered oil back for trade were known as the “grease trails”.
For reasons unknown, eulachon abundance have shown a declining trend in many rivers throughout their distribution in recent years. There was a sudden drop in returns to several rivers in 1994, most notably in the Fraser and Columbia. Eulachon have virtually disappeared in California and in the last two years they have not been seen in several BC rivers. Rivers which experienced virtually no returns in 2000 were: Stikine, Unuk, Skeena, Kitimat, Kemano, Kitlope, Bella Coola, Kimsquit, Owikeeno, and Kingcome Rivers.
Factors hypothesized to have detrimental effects on eulachon returns can be broken down into “in-river” and “marine” effects. In-river effects may include: habitat loss, pollution, directed fisheries, logging, and marine mammal predation. Marine effects may include: oceanographic changes due to global warming or other factors, bycatch from commercial fisheries, changes in food abundance or distribution, and predation.[1]
Important points to consider about Oolichan in context of Run-of-River development
1. The Klinaklini is one of the most important Eulachon runs in B.C.
2. Eulachon are of inestimable and unsurpassed importance to coastal First Nations.
3. Eulachon are an important part of the ecology of the Klinaklini estuary, an estuary recognized as significant by B.C. Parks. In order to protect the value of a park like this ecological processes must be protected, and ecological inputs must be maintained. Anything that could potentially diminish (already seriously depressed) oolichan abundance must be restricted.
4. Native right to fish comes before commercial, or recreational. This right should also mean that any activity or development that could potentially cause negative impacts on eulachon abundance would be prevented.
5. Even though Eulachon abundance is low at present, important habitat must be preserved to allow potential for recovery.
6. In order to establish potential impacts to Eulachon from run-of-river projects, sufficient research is required prior to start of development. [2]
Kemano River BC, Gardener Canal, Haisla First Nations Fisherman
Photo by John Kelson
References
1. DFO, B.C. Parks
2. John Kelson, Conservation Biologist, Smithers, BC