Porcupine River and Fishing Branch River Salmon Assessment Technical Support - Multi-year 2025-2027.

The Porcupine River Salmon Assessment project estimates the passage of Chinook and Chum salmon in the Porcupine River near Old Crow. The Fishing Branch River Chum Salmon Assessment estimates escapement of Chum salmon to the Fishing Branch River through use of a weir. Both projects take place within the Traditional Territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) and within the lands subject to the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement (1993). The Porcupine River camp is located on VGFN Land (R block R-1A) and the Fishing Branch River camp is located within the Ni’iinlii ’Njik Wilderness Preserve on VGFN R-05A Settlement Land.

Porcupine River Sonar DFO and VGFN work in partnership to deliver this stock assessment project. The project involves using sonar technology to enumerate fish passage and includes a test-netting component to capture and sample migrating fish. The project is staffed by three fisheries technicians. Fisheries and Oceans Canada provides two of these technicians and VGFN provides a third technician who contributes local technical and logistical support. VGFN may provide a fourth technician for the purposes of training/backup. Annually the specific days of service provided will occur between June 1 and October 31, subject to change by the contracting authority.

Fishing Branch River Weir/Sonar A weir was operated to enumerate the return of fall chum salmon to the Fishing Branch River during the periods of 1972-1975, 1985-2012 and in 2015. In 2016-2024 the weir was operated in conjunction with the use of ARIS sonar for enumeration at the site. A weir and sonar counting system will be used again in 2025, along with a video counting box, if possible. A field crew typically consists of 2 or 3 people, with 3 people providing a significant advantage during periods of high workload. A third crew member is extremely beneficial for facilitating the installation of the weir and preparation and takedown of the sonar site, which has daily duties including strenuous lifting of heavy tripods, weir panels, and sandbags within a variable swift water environment. Annually the specific days of service for this project will occur within August 1 and October 31.