The Fish Salvage Services include but are not limited to the following activities and deliverables:
(a) Evaluation of risks for fish stranding and mortality in various scenarios
(b) Develop effective plan for minimizing risk of stranding and mortality in various scenarios. Planning will normally involve collaboration with the Contract Administrator. Methods in a plan may include water quality monitoring, improving water quality through aeration or other means, determining the number (species, size) of stranded fish, and completing fish salvages.
(c) Mobilize to site and implement effective plan to minimize risk of stranding and mortality of fish in various scenarios.
(d) Employ Indigenous labour, where possible.
(e) Demobilize site.
(f) Prepare and submit reports on completion of each service.
Anticipated Work Site Scenarios
Various situations can result in fish stranding / dewatering and the need for fish salvage. These events may be planned in advance and scheduled ahead of time or may be more immediate due to unanticipated circumstances (unanticipated breakdowns). The scenarios can also involve stranding or dewatering that is either inside or outside of the station.
The ability to mobilize quickly, work in confined spaces, operate various fish capture gears / equipment, operate boats, etc will be critical considerations depending on the timing and type of fish stranding / dewatering event.
Anticipated scenarios include:
1. Unit Shutdown
Maintenance, repairs and inspections on turbine units often involve the installation of stoplogs and therefore involve a risk of stranding fish within the unit. Depending on the maintenance/repair/inspection required, the unit may need to be partially or completely dewatered. If the unit is not dewatered or is only partially dewatered, and the outage is expected to be of short duration, the best option may be to leave any stranded fish in the draft tube and monitor water quality. Other considerations for this option would include time of year and species likely to be spawning / present. If a unit needs to be dewatered completely, then a prompt fish salvage is normally the best option, but is still subject to safe access and removal of fish from the draft tube. Fish salvage within a draft tube involves significant hazards to workers that must be considered and addressed.
2. Tailrace / Spillway Dewatering
Altering flow through the spillway can result in a risk of stranding of fish, the extent of which depends on station / spillway configuration, station operations, and other factors. If fish are stranded as a result of station operations, a fish salvage must be completed as soon as possible to move stranded fish to areas that are permanently wetted. Fish salvage on a spillway may involve hazards to workers that must be considered and addressed.
