M RISl \R(II \M1 ISKIRMMION 



hshmg plans taking account or factors other than biology. 



For salmon, there are no pro\isu>ns tor regular stock 

 assessments, yet these sticks warrant the most caiclul 

 review. The scientific panel should be drawn widely troni 

 specialists in the [\'partmenl*s research .mil habitat man- 

 agement branches, the Salmomd riihanccmcnl Program, 

 regional managers and external research mstiiutions. 



Smaller fisheries call tor more modest and tlexible 

 arrangements. .Ml such re\ieus should be timed to com- 

 plement the annual formulation of fishing plans and con- 

 sultation described in Chapters 4 and 17. 



F*robleiii-Oriciited Research 



By problem-oriented research, 1 refer to investigations 

 aimed at resolving particular management problems that 

 ixrcasionally arise, often with little forewarning. Hitherto, 

 the Department's researchers appear to have resptmded 

 well to such needs. E.xamples include investigating the 

 effect of the Babine Ri\er slide on salmon stiicks; investi- 

 gating the high seas distribution of salmon in collabora- 

 tion with the United Stales and Japan: identifying and 

 treating fish diseases associated with mariculture and 

 enhancement operations, and so on. 



Responding quickly to unforeseen problems is difficult 

 in the face of the lengthy cycles of governmental budget- 

 ing. And becau.se they usually involve realignments of 

 personnel and facilities, they threaten ongoing research 

 programs. TTius. the special difficulty with research pro- 

 jects of this type is deciding what problems warrant spe- 

 cial study, and how much staflf and facilities should be 

 diverted to them at the expense of other research. 



Inherently, the urgency and nature of such problem- 

 oriented research cannot be prescribed in advance. So I 

 make no specific recommendations on this matter 

 beyond pointing out the need to maintain a capacity to 

 respond to problems as they arise. Unless adequate pro- 

 visions are made, emergencies cannot be met without dis- 

 rupting other programs. 



Habitat Research 



The Department's fundamental responsibility to pro- 

 tect and manage fish habitat involves it continuously in 

 regulating industrial and other activities, often imposing 

 heavy costs on others. So it is important that regulations 

 are based on a firm scientific foundation. Yet the Depart- 

 ment has not developed a strong research program on 

 habitat management; consequently, those responsible for 

 managing habitat often impose costly constraints on 

 industrial activities based on guesses about their effects 

 on fish. Not surprisingly, this leads to inconsistencies in 

 regulations, frustration on the part of those who must 

 bear the costs and. I fear, lost opportunities to protect 

 and develop fish habitat. 



The single rigorous study conducleil in the Pacific 

 region into the ellects of logging on the [iKRluctivity of 

 siilnion slie.ims is the Carnation CVeek project on Van- 

 couver Island. As I explained in Chapter 3. the prelimi- 

 nary findings of this study challenge some of the accepted 

 beliefs on this (.|uestion. aiul this adds to the urgency of 

 such research. 



,'\n expanded research program is essential to clarify 

 the efl'ects of disturbances on fish habitats, to develop 

 techniques for mitigating them and to identify methods 

 of improving the productivity of salmon spawning 

 streams. 



. . . research into habitat management has 

 been largely ad hoc and inadequate. We sug- 

 gest that it is urgent to establish a comprehen- 

 sive program of research, monitonng and 

 practical trials designed to provide a sound 

 ^^•"•' for management and protection of 

 ;s habitat.** 



basis 

 fisheries 



The information provided by such research would 

 improve understanding of the interrelationship between 

 fish and forestry, agriculture, and other activities that the 

 Department needs in order to participate constructively 

 , in integrated resource management of the kind I recom- 

 mended in Chapter 3. 



Without this type of background information, 

 fisheries are handicapped in their ability to 

 participate equally in the coordination of 

 their activities with other key resource mana- 

 gers." 



This information is also essential for designing long-term 

 objectives for salmon management, as I proposed in 

 Chapter 4. I therefore recommend — 



6. Tlie Department should substantially expand and 

 strengthen its program of scientific research on fish 

 habitats, especially on the freshwater habitats of 

 salmon, the effects of disturbances and ways of miti- 

 gating them. This program should include — 



i) Continuation of the Carnation Creek project. 



ii) Initiation of other controlled experiments on the 

 impacts of forestry and other industrial activities 

 in the major ecological systems of the Pacific 

 region and on the effectiveness of habitat protec- 

 tion measures. 



iii) Evaluation of techniques for integrating the 

 requirements of fish with other resource activi- 

 ties, taking account of their biological and eco- 

 nomic implications. 



Experiments on the impact of other resource develop- 

 ments on fish habitat can best be organized, like the Car- 



