Regions: Dehcho Region
Tags: environmental assessment, biology, fish habitat, fish
| Principal Investigator: | Wilcockson, John B (4) |
| Licence Number: | 14961 |
| Organization: | Hatfield Consultants |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2011
|
| Issued: | Sep 07, 2011 |
| Project Team: | Dave Harpley (research advisor, Canadian Zinc), Kurt Merrifield (researcher, Hatfield Consultants), Wade Gibbons (research advisor, Hatfield Consultants) |
Objective(s): To determine the presence or absence of fish species as part of a habitat assessment of the proposed location for an exfiltration trench (effluent diffuser). Collected fish will be identified, weighted and measured.
Project Description: The objective of this research project is to determine the presence or absence of fish species as part of a habitat assessment of the proposed location for an exfiltration trench (effluent diffuser). Collected fish will be identified, weighted and measured. Electrofishing would be conducted along the banks of a 200m stretch of Prairie Creek, at the Prairie Creek mine site. Electro fishing would be started at the downstream end of the reach and working towards the upstream end. A trained electro fishing staff member will operate an electrofisher, the other staff member will use a dip net to catch stunned fish. Netted fish will be transferred immediately to a 5 L bucket strapped to the belt of the crewmember operating the electrofisher. Regularly, caught fish will be weighted and measured for length. After measurement, fish will be returned to the creek immediately downstream of the location where fishing had terminated. A small fin punch will be used on Bull Trout and Grayling to ensure that the same fish is not measured twice. The punch will be applied to the caudal or pelvic fin. Other habitat assessment work will include an assessment of substrate, flow rate and stream morphology at approximately five transects distributed evenly within the 200m research reach. This work is being conducted to address an Information Request from DFO related to an Effects Assessment for a proposed mine. The mine, once operational, will provide economic social benefits to local communities. The proposed research is anticipated to only require a few days of work and will unlikely present any opportunities for local involvement. This research is being conducted as part of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review process. All results will be posted on the MVRB public registry portal. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 31, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
