Territorial Stewardship - Fisheries

The Okanagan Nation Fisheries Commission (ONFC) was formally established in 1995. The seven bands of the Okanagan participate in the ONFC. The goal and mandate of the ONFC is the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of indigenous fisheries (anadromous and resident) and aquatic resources within Okanagan Nation territory. The ONFC provides technical assistance to the member Bands and also acts as a liaison with federal and provincial agencies

Salmon stocks that the ONFC are currently working on are the Middle Shuswap Coho and Chinook Salmon and the Okanagan River Sockeye. One of the initiatives of the ONFC is to increase the awareness of the Columbia River stocks, specifically the Okanagan River salmon stocks. The ONFC has been actively involved in the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of the Okanagan River stocks. 

The Okanagan River sockeye population is one of only two remaining populations of sockeye in the Columbia Basin. 

The other one is the Wenatchee River stock. There is also the possibility of remnant runs of Chinook and possibly Steelhead. There is also historical knowledge of Coho and chum salmon runs. Construction of dams, channelization, urban encroachment, water management practices and predation have all contributed to depletion and extinction of salmon stocks within the Okanagan River basin. The Okanagan Nation has not conducted any fishery on this population since the early eighties for conservation reasons.

The upstream spawning migration limit of the sockeye is McIntyre Dam (there have been local sightings of sockeye past McIntyre Dam though). Harvesting (lower Columbia), dams, water temperatures contribute to losses during spawning migration. The majority of the spawning occurs within Osoyoos Indian Band reserve lands

Subsequently, it is also where there is no channelization or flood control. Rearing of the sockeye is in Osoyoos Lake. Predation (large mouth bass, small mouth bass), temperature and oxygen limitations contribute to losses during rearing and migration back to the ocean. During migration, losses during dam passage also occur. Table 1 outlines the major affects during the freshwater life of the sockeye salmon.

Harvest Management Plan

To ensure the continued conservation of the Middle Shuswap Chinook population, the Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department (ONA -FD) Recommends that a maximum of 400 Chinook be harvested during 2003 and fishery commence July 14th and end September 14th.

The date has been selected to minimize impacts of the endangered Thompson River Coho stock entering the systems after the middle of September.

Designated Fishers

Registered band members of the following bands have the opportunity to harvest Chinook on the Mable lake/Middle Shuswap River and at Shuswap Falls: Lower and Upper Simikameen Indian Bands, Okanagan Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Pentiction Indian Band, Westbank First Nation and Upper Nicola Indian Band. Band members have to carry their status card in order to be identified as Okanagan Nation member fishers.

The Okanagan Indian Band will be acting as the community designate for this fishery. Individuals may contact Keith Louis at the Okanagan IndianBand @ (250) 542-3444 for further information. The ONA - FD will work closely with the Okanagan Indian Band to monitor the harvest during the 2003 season.

Please note: OKIB will be collecting and recording the Chinook catch to effectively manage the fishery.