Selling First Nations down the river

Moore, Jonathan W.; Carr‐Harris, Charmaine; Gottesfeld, Allen S.; Macintyre, Donna; Radies, David; Cleveland, Mark; Barnes, Chris; Joseph, Walter J.; Williams, G. L.; Gordon, Jennifer; Shepert, Bill

doi:10.1126/science.349.6248.596-a

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Previous research mapping juvenile salmon use of estuary regions found particularly high abundances of juvenile sockeye, Chinook, and coho salmon near the Skeena River mouth, around the Lelu Island and Flora Bank region (Figure ) (Carr‐Harris et al, ). In addition, this area supports more than 40 populations of sockeye and Chinook salmon from throughout the Skeena River watershed (Carr‐Harris et al, , ; Moore, Carr‐Harris, Gottesfeld, et al, ) and encompasses the locations of seven of the eight LNG developments that were proposed for the greater Skeena River estuary (Aurora LNG, ; Exxon Mobil, ; Pacific Northwest LNG, ; Pembina Pipeline, ; Prince Rupert LNG Ltd, ; Province of British Columbia, , ). This study builds on these previous findings to examine how salmon and other pelagic fish are using specific estuary habitat types and locations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…A 2‐year field study of juvenile salmon and pelagic species and their habitats was conducted in the Skeena River estuary in 2015 and 2016. This research is part of a collaborative research programme with the Lax Kw'alaams Fisheries Program, Skeena Fisheries Commission, and Simon Fraser University examining the estuary phase of juvenile salmon migration in the Skeena River (Arbeider, Sharpe, Carr‐Harris, & Moore, ; Carr‐Harris et al, ; Carr‐Harris, Gottesfeld, & Moore, ; Moore et al, ; Moore, Carr‐Harris, Gottesfeld, et al, ). Previous research mapping juvenile salmon use of estuary regions found particularly high abundances of juvenile sockeye, Chinook, and coho salmon near the Skeena River mouth, around the Lelu Island and Flora Bank region (Figure ) (Carr‐Harris et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estuary habitat degradation is associated with decreased survival of salmon and can have population‐level consequences for these species (Magnusson & Hilborn, ; Meador & MacLatchy, ; Toft et al, ). Estuaries at the base of large watersheds may support juvenile salmon from many different populations that are originating from across vast areas (Carr‐Harris et al, ; Moore et al, ). Understanding and identifying juvenile salmon estuary habitat is particularly relevant given their enormous economic and cultural importance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estuary habitat associations for juvenile Pacific salmon and pelagic fish: Implications for coastal planning processes

Sharpe

Carr‐Harris

Arbeider

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

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Assessment of risk from industrial developments often relies on simple habitat descriptions for focal species. However, simple habitat metrics may not be accurate predictors of locations that species actually use. Understanding the nature of habitat is particularly pressing for estuaries, as they are among the most degraded ecosystems globally but provide critical rearing habitat for many species, including Pacific salmon. Canadian environmental impact assessment approaches use simple habitat‐type models to assess risk from developments and assume that different species of salmon rely on the same habitat. This study asked what combination of habitat type and biophysical covariates best predicted use of estuary habitat by juvenile salmon and two dominant small pelagic fish. Fish were sampled via purse seine throughout the Skeena River estuary (British Columbia, Canada) for 2 years across different habitat types (eelgrass, open water, sandy banks, and rocky shores). Simple habitat‐type models were compared with models with more complex biophysical variables to predict the variability in relative abundance of juvenile Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) salmon, along with pelagic fish species Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) and surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus). The combination of variables that best predicted abundance differed across fish species. Pelagic fish were associated with near‐shore sites, increased temperature (herring), and increased salinity (smelt). Juvenile coho and sockeye salmon (but not Chinook), were more abundant in higher turbid waters. Chinook and sockeye salmon used eelgrass habitat more frequently than other habitat types, whereas coho salmon were more abundant in areas with high macroalgae cover. Models with these variables had greater predictive power than those using habitat type alone for juvenile salmon. Simple classifications of estuary habitat currently used in environmental risk assessment may not reflect the complex nature of fish–habitat associations. Understanding biophysical factors associated with estuary fish abundance can inform management of estuary habitat to support their nursery function for important fish.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Estuary habitat associations for juvenile Pacific salmon and pelagic fish: Implications for coastal planning processes

Sharpe

Carr‐Harris

Arbeider

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

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“…Salmon are a highly valued species and more heavily studied than most. Because of their importance to humans (Augerot et al, ; Colombi, ) and ecosystems (Naiman, Bilby, Schindler, & Helfield, ), salmon can be a pivotal, and sometimes controversial, part of decision‐making (Moore et al, ; Ruckelshaus, Levin, Johnson, & Kareiva, ). Salmon use estuaries for growth (Healey, ; Thorpe, ), as a physiological transition zone to prepare for migration from freshwater to the sea (Quinn, ; Taylor, ) and are hypothesized to use estuaries as a refuge from predation (Munsch, Cordell, & Toft, ; Quinn, ; Thorpe, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing estuaries and impacts on juvenile salmon: A systematic review

Hodgson

Wilson

Moore

2020

Global Change Biology

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Estuaries are productive ecosystems providing important habitat for a diversity of species, yet they also experience intense levels of anthropogenic development. To inform decision‐making, it is essential to understand the pathways of impacts of particular human activities, especially those that affect species such as salmon, which have high ecological, social‐cultural and economic values. Salmon systems provide an opportunity to build from the substantial body of research on responses to estuary developments and take stock of what is known. We conducted a systematic English‐language literature review on the responses of juvenile salmon to anthropogenic activities in estuaries and nearshore areas asking: what has been studied, where are the major knowledge gaps and how do stressors affect salmon? We found a substantial body of research (n = 167 studies; 1,369 comparative tests) to help understand responses of juvenile salmon to 24 activities and their 14 stressors. Across studies, 82% of the research was conducted in the eastern Pacific (Oregon and Washington, USA and British Columbia, Canada) showing a limited geographical scope. Using a semiquantitative approach to summarize the literature, including a weight‐of‐evidence metric, we found a range of results from low to moderate–high confidence in the consequences of the stressors. For example, we found moderate–high confidence in the negative impacts of pollutants and sea lice and moderate confidence in negative impacts from connectivity loss and changes in flow. Our results suggest that overall, multiple anthropogenic activities cause negative impacts across ecological scales. However, our results also reveal knowledge gaps resulting from minimal research on particular species (e.g. sockeye salmon), regions (e.g. Atlantic) or stressors (e.g. entrainment) that would be expedient areas for future research. With estuaries acting as a nexus of biological and societal importance and hotspots of ongoing development, the insights gained here can contribute to informed decision‐making.

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“…FACETS | 2018 | 3: 375-391 | DOI: 10.1139/facets-2017-0106 377 facetsjournal.com assessment of a large energy industrial development in the Skeena River estuary (British Columbia, Canada), researchers discovered that the project was proposed for a location that was particularly important for young migratory salmon and that risks of the project were under-assessed Moore et al 2015Moore et al , 2016. This science was submitted as evidence by First Nations' legal teams during environmental assessment comment periods and consultative processes and likely contributed to dialogue, negotiations, and project design modifications.…”

Section: Moore Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards linking environmental law and science

Moore

Nowlan²,

Olszynski

et al. 2018

FACETS

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Gaps between environmental science and environmental law may undermine sound environmental decision-making. We link perspectives and insights from science and law to highlight opportunities and challenges at the environmental science-law interface. The objectives of this paper are to assist scientists who wish to conduct and communicate science that informs environmental statutes, regulations, and associated operational policies (OPs), and to ensure the environmental lawyers (and others) working to ensure that these statutes, regulations, and OPs are appropriately informed by scientific evidence. We provide a conceptual model of how different kinds of science-based activities can feed into legislative and policy cycles, ranging from actionable science that can inform decision-making windows to retrospective analyses that can inform future regulations. We identify a series of major gaps and barriers that challenge the successful linking of environmental science and law. These include (1) the different time frames for science and law, (2) the different standards of proof for scientific and legal (un)certainty, (3) the need for effective scientific communication, (4) the multijurisdictional (federal, provincial, and Indigenous) nature of environmental law, and (5) the different ethical obligations of law and science. Addressing these challenges calls for bidirectional learning among scientists and lawyers and more intentional collaborations at the law-science interface.

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Selling First Nations down the river

Cited by 17 publications

References 4 publications

Estuary habitat associations for juvenile Pacific salmon and pelagic fish: Implications for coastal planning processes

Estuary habitat associations for juvenile Pacific salmon and pelagic fish: Implications for coastal planning processes

Changing estuaries and impacts on juvenile salmon: A systematic review

Towards linking environmental law and science

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