Since data collection began in October of 2020, several salmonid species, white sturgeon, and small resident fish species have been observed. These habitats are holding areas for both terminally migrating adult salmon and out-migrating smolts as well as feeding and spawning sites for non-salmonid species, such as eulachon and white sturgeon.

Having an accurate understanding of how fish use these habitats helps to inform the bank stabilization efforts, preventing habitat and fishing sites from being destroyed in the future.

Sumas Bank Stabilization Project

In partnership with Semá:th First Nation, the LFFA has been conducting hydro-acoustic survey to understand the impact of bank stabilization initiatives that have taken place along the Matsqui dike in recent years.

The areas being surveyed are important traditional fishing sites for Semá:th, many of which had been effectively destroyed by past work done by the City of Abbotsford to mitigate the erosion of the dike. The data on the fish species in the area and will help to answer questions about the impact of construction.