Tuya Lake Sockeye Access

This project tagged and released sockeye salmon above the natural barrier on Tuya River to assess their ability to access Tuya Lake should the barrier be removed.

Tuya Lake is currently inaccessible to returning adult sockeye resulting from joint U.S./Canada enhancement programs due to migration barriers located in the Tuya River just upstream from its confluence with the Stikine River. Although some of the fish returning to the barrier have been harvested in a terminal Excess Salmon to Spawning Requirements (ESSR) fishery, fishing success has been less than originally planned or desired (catches have ranged from 200 to 6,100 sockeye). The majority of the sockeye returning to the river are left to unsuccessfully continue to attempt to ascend the barrier, or to spawn in either the lower Tuya River or in other areas downstream in the Stikine River or tributaries. Last year, spawned-out Tuya sockeye were found in Shakes Creek, a tributary entering the Stikine River just downstream from Telegraph Creek.
The Transboundary Panel has indicated support for examining the feasibility of removing the barrier(s) on the Tuya River to allow sockeye salmon, produced from the joint enhancement program, to establish a self-sustaining run in this system. The barriers constitute major obstacles that will likely require a large financial investment to overcome (perhaps in the $2-5 million range). A number of background studies will be required to determine the likelihood for success and assess potential impacts of this project. This proposal addresses the question: where will the sockeye end up if they are afforded access around the lower Tuya barriers?
This project was approved by the PSC Northern Fund Committee and was scheduled to be funded by the PSC Northern Fund this year. That funding is no longer available due to unforeseen circumstances.