Indigenous Stewardship Restoring Spawning Grounds for at-risk Chinook Salmon
Built in 1987 and expanded in 2006, the Fish Trap Channel at Sqémelech (Maria Slough) provides important spawning habitat for at-risk Chinook salmon. Over time, limited maintenance, warmer and drier conditions linked to climate change, and the spread of invasive reed canary grass, a fast-growing plant that crowds out native vegetation and restricts water flow, degraded habitat conditions in the channel, making it increasingly difficult for salmon to spawn successfully.
A Community Without Salmon
Elders and knowledge holders, including Councillor Rodney Peters, remember the slough as a thriving side channel of the Fraser River that once supported abundant Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Chum and Pink salmon. But over time, salmon returns declined dramatically, and for years, until 2024, harvesting Tl’élx̱xel (Chinook salmon) was no longer possible for the Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island Band) near Agassiz.
Restoring Water Flow and Salmon Habitat
With support from ISF, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and other partners, Seabird Island Band led restoration efforts at Maria Slough to improve salmon habitat and strengthen the channel’s resilience to climate change. The work included:
- Removing invasive vegetation and planting native species to improve riparian habitat and provide more shade during heat waves.
- Adding natural logs and rocks to create better habitat and shelter for salmon.
- Excavating a narrower and deeper channel and creating refuge pools to improve water flow and retain water during drought conditions
Large logs and rocks were added to the channel. (Photo credit: Seabird Island Band)
Channel excavation work at Maria Slough. (Photo Credit: Seabird Island Band)
Early Results and Community Impact
Together, these actions are improving habitat for endangered Chinook salmon and helping the channel better withstand climate-related impacts. The project restored approximately 3,000 m² of riparian habitat, with 680 native plants added, and improved 1,000 m² of in-channel habitat.
Before and after restoration work at Maria Slough. (Photo Credit: Seabird Island Band)
Monitoring conducted during the fall and winter of 2025 showed promising early results, including Chinook salmon returning to use the restored channel for spawning, along with increased use of the channel by juvenile fish and other aquatic species.
“We had one of the highest Chinook returns in a decade. Most returned to spawn in the channel we had just restored in Sqémelech (Maria Slough). When you give fish the right conditions, they respond.”
— Jillian Stewart, Biologist for the Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island Band)
Restoration Creating Jobs, Skills and Stewardship
The project also created opportunities for community involvement and learning. 50 students from Seabird Island Community School participated in planting activities, gaining hands-on, land-based learning experiences that strengthened connections to the land and built stewardship capacity within the community. In addition, excavation and installation work was carried out by local company Stqó:ya Construction, supporting local employment and economic activity through the project.
“The support to build capacity that can continue watershed monitoring efforts has been a pillar in how ISF’s support will extend beyond the timeline of this funding alone.”
— Nicole Kaminski, Junior Biologist, Seabird Island Band
The Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) works in close partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC), which serves as a frontline organization for collaboration with First Nations across British Columbia. FNFC leads relationship-building and engagement with more than 200 First Nations across the province, listening to and identifying Nations’ interests, priorities and perspectives. ISF complements this work by serving as the funding mechanism that helps turn those relationships and priorities into action. Together, FNFC and ISF ensure that the leadership, needs and priorities of BC First Nations are met with flexible and accessible resources that support Indigenous-led stewardship, habitat protection and long-term environmental resilience.
