Yukon Energy Corporation is involved in an extensive fish monitoring program in the Aishihik area. Early results from the study indicate a very healthy Lake Whitefish population.
The monitoring program is being carried out in partnership with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the Yukon government’s Department of Environment and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The first part of the initiative involved netting hundreds of adult Lake Whitefish from both Canyon and Aishihik Lakes. This occurred in late July and early August. Biologists took bone and stomach content samples and will spend the next several months studying the material to determine the age and maturity of the fish. Final results should be known by the spring.
“Yukon Energy has been monitoring juvenile Lake Whitefish annually since the late 1990s, as a way of ensuring the health of the fish population and the overall health of Aishihik Lake,” Yukon Energy spokesperson Janet Patterson said. “However this year, a more extensive program is being carried out. This initiative will help us determine if there is a correlation between the operation of the Aishihik Hydro Generating Station and the Lake Whitefish population.”
“Depending on the results, operating conditions in our Aishihik water use license could be made stricter, kept the same, or lessened,” Patterson said. “However based on the number and size of fish caught, it appears our hydro plant is not adversely affecting the fish population. We’re very encouraged by these initial findings.”
More than 900 Lake Whitefish were caught in nets for the study. Once samples were taken for research purposes, the fish were given to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) to be shared with their membership. Yukon Energy funded a cultural camp at the north end of Aishihik Lake, where elders and other members of the CAFN gathered to dry the fish and take part in other cultural activities.
Contact:
Janet Patterson
Supervisor, Communications
Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca
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