Sockeye salmon (sćwin in Okanagan language) is an indigenous salmon in the Okanagan River. Sockeye is the same species as kokanee (O. nerka), although, sockeye spend a portion of its life cycle in the ocean (anadromous fish) while kokanee remain in fresh waters. Sockeye salmon is the only salmon that still return to the Okanagan River in appreciable numbers. Okanagan coho and chum salmon are already assumed to be extirpated (locally extinct). Okanagan chinook and Steelhead are also in danger of becoming extirpated.

Historically, salmon were present in several Okanagan Lakes (Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, Vaseux Lake, and Osoyoos Lake) and were the primary food source for the syilx, or Okanagan People. However, dams constructed in the Okanagan and Columbia rivers in the 1900’s impeded or eliminated access by Okanagan salmon to Okanagan, Skaha and Vaseux lakes.

McIntyre Dam (Oliver) has been an upstream fish migration barrier since the 1950’s, but the dam was modified for fish passage in 2009. Sockeye salmon can now routinely migrate past McIntyre Dam and access the Okanagan River up to Skaha Lake Dam (Okanagan Falls), which is currently impassable. The fish ladder present at Skaha Lake Dam is not operable, but the issue of whether to permit future fish passage is under review.

Fish passage at McIntyre Dam allows sockeye salmon to access an additional 8 km of Okanagan River and Vaseux Lake, which historically provided habitat for this species. Refitting McIntyre Dam is part of a larger sockeye salmon stock management initiative to:

• Stabilize and rebuild the declining Okanagan sockeye population;

• Return sockeye to their former habitat and migration range;

• Revitalize fisheries supported by Okanagan sockeye salmon.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), B.C. Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) are reviewing the feasibility of re-establishing a self sustaining population of indigenous sockeye salmon in Skaha Lake. Following completion and review of results from a 12 year experimental study (2003-2015), a decision regarding whether to open fish passage at Skaha Lake Dam will be made.

Sockeye salmon migration is predominantly ‘triggered’ by water temperature. When water temperatures in the Okanagan River are too warm (> 20 oC), sockeye that have migrated upstream of Osoyoos Lake in July, fall back to the lake and hold in ‘cooler’ water (8-12 oC) to avoid physiological stress and possible death. Sockeye will return to the river in late August or early September when preferred temperatures exist.

Over the period of record from 1938 to 2009, Okanagan sockeye returns have varied from a low of less than 2,000 (in 1994) to a high of almost 130,000 (in 2008) adults. However, from 1974-2004, average returns numbered fewer than 35,000 fish and in 5 of these years fell below 5,000 fish. A dramatic reversal of a long term trend to decline has occurred over the most recent decade during which average returns have increased to more than 85,000 adult fish culminating with a record breaking return with expectations of between 130,000-200,000 for 2010. The rebuilding of the Okanagan sockeye salmon population is attributed to the following:

• Unprecedented levels of cooperation among First Nations, industry and management agencies in both Canada and the U.S. to conserve and rebuild the Okanagan sockeye stock;

• Critical assessments suggesting that the Okanagan River and Osoyoos Lake were capable of sustained production at larger run sizes followed by management steps that increased spawner abundance;

• Creation and deployment of the Fish-and-Water Management Tools Model that encourages water regulation decisions that maintain “fish friendly flows” in the Okanagan River;

• An increase in mainstem Columbia River flows during sockeye smolt migration since 2006;

• Increased production of sockeye associated with their re-introduction into Skaha Lake after a roughly 100 years of absence;

• Multiple habitat protection, restoration and enhancement initiatives;

• Return to a period of favourable ocean survival for Okanagan salmon over the past decade in association with the prayers and cultural protocol offerings by elders and Okanagan Nation members.

Okanagan sockeye salmon harvest is managed to an interim measure of 60,000 adults counted upstream of the Wells Dam which was adopted in Canada in 1999 to ensure a minimum target escapement of 40,000 spawners. Opportunity to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes by Okanagan Nation members is increased when abundance exceeds this conservation measure. When Okanagan members needs have been met, the decision to allocate the surplus of adults is required given the limited availability of spawning habitat. Too many spawners can lead to lower egg-to fry survival due to egg-nest disturbance or disease outbreaks.

A surplus of over 200,000 sockeye counted at Wells in 2010, resulted in Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) opening a recreational fishery in Osoyoos Lake from August 13th to August 22nd, 2010. Other activities included ONA testing gear technologies for transfer of knowledge and skills to community fishers, and researching local markets to develop a plan unique to the Okanagan which allows for rebuilding this valued resource!  This emerging fishery is under review by the member bands of the ONA as well as by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure the sustainability and continued success of the sockeye reintroduction program.

Every effort helps in the recovery of the Okanagan sockeye stock:

• Please respect the rights of Okanagan Nation members to fish and participate in management of this fishery.

• Please do not walk on spawning grounds (especially between September to June), as this disturb the eggs.

• Please do not transfer fish beyond their current range (Skaha Lake Dam).

• Please report any activities that may be harmful to the sockeye salmon stock and/or their habitat to: Conservation Officer Service - Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) at 1-877-952-7277 or Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Observe, Record and Report (ORR) at  1-800-465-4336.