Kynoch Resources  

Home :: Services :: Projects :: Personnel :: Contact

Resourceful   By   Nature

Key Personnel:
Resume of Fraser Koroluk

 

Fraser Koroluk, B.Sc., R.P. Bio
WCB Occupational SCUBA Diver
Expert Witness (Fish Habitat, Culvert Passage)
Fish Habitat & Assessment specialist

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

·         Aquatic Habitat Biologist, Registered Professional Biologist (British Columbia)

·         Extensive field experience and academic and applied training since 1989 in fisheries assessments, watershed restoration, foreshore assessments, underwater and biophysical surveys,

·         Program instructor, project coordinator, expert witness, commercial SCUBA diver

 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science: University of Waterloo, 1999. Focus: Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Management

Environmental Technologist Training: Resource Management: BCIT, 1995. Focus: Forestry and Fisheries Ecology

Outdoor Pursuits Instructor: Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training Centre, 1987 Vancouver Island


Background

Fish Biology:    skilled in fish collection, physiological observations/measurements, fish husbandry, dissection for tissue extraction, GSI and HSI measurements, electrophoresis sampling for genetic identification, extraction, preservation and preparation of fish aging structures.

Laboratory:      experienced in lab set up and maintenance for ultra-trace dissection of fish and marine invertebrates for sampling of metals, organochlorines, dioxins and furans. Familiar with sterile environments and dissection/sampling protocols.

Field:                extensive applications of fish collection, sediment sampling, water quality monitoring, in-situ metering and field survey equipment. Involved in development of innovative benthic invertebrate sampling equipment and deployment as well as al aspects of sediment collection, sieving, benthos preservation and sediment sampling for contaminants.

SCUBA Diving:experienced underwater fisheries scientist, videographer, biophysical surveyor, and course instructor. Involved in development of in-gravel DO (IGDO) metering equipment to assess salmon spawning habitat in lakes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Extensive experience in coordination of aquatic surveys, benthos and sediment surveys, foreshore assessments, coastal marine and oceanographic evaluations, various tagging and tag recovery methods, area-under-the-curve (AUC) salmon population estimates, mark and recapture studies of various salmonids, stream crossing and culverts assessments, log dump, log transfer facility and heli-drop evaluations, lake surveys, fisheries and aquatic habitat assessments, broodstock capture, and remote field operations. Involved in numerous fisheries studies, watershed restoration programs from field assessment, prescription development and implementation, site auditing, QA/QC and effectiveness monitoring. Experience with site assessments and mitigation as well as surveys under the federal Fisheries Act and as part of HADD authorizations and Section 9 applications (BC Water Act). Setup and operated numerous remote coastal field operations, including RST, Fyke nets, inclined plane traps, fish fences and weirs. Survey experience in identifying habitat restoration opportunities in off-channel, mainstem and tertiary habitat areas of coastal and interior watersheds and lake foreshore and littoral habitat assessment and mitigation/compensation planning and implementation.

Prior to project involvement as consultant (1996-2004) employed on various DFO term contracts and as a private consultant to assess adult fish stocks, review First Nations Aboriginal Fisheries Strategies (AFSs), complete coastal fish habitat assessments, and provide diving and fisheries technician services to various federal fish hatcheries and coastal First Nations salmonid enhancement projects.


Project Experience
(2004 to present, Kynoch Resources)

Position: Partner, Senior Biologist.

·         Fisheries habitat biologist planning and overseeing marine survey of proposed Log Dump and           Heli-drop sites and facilities in Merewrth Sound (Tiny Lake Area). Assessment required identifying sensitive marine and intertidal (lotic) fish habitat and developing mitigative strategies for foreshore development. Completed for Monarch Resource Consultants Ltd. (Bella Coola). 2004.

·         Senior fisheries biologist and SCUBA diver responsible for collection of Intra-Gravel Dissolved Oxygen (IGDO) and temperature measurements of littoral sockeye salmon spawning habitat within Sakinaw Lake as part of ongoing (3rd year) assessment of spawning habitat and restoration opportunities within Sakinaw Lake. Project involved use of proprietary (Kynoch Resources owned) underwater instruments to measure interstitial DO and temperature to identify and map groundwater upwelling areas. 

·         Contract SCUBA diver on DFO Herring Spawn Surveys on West Coast of Vancouver Island. Involved in Data collection, field logistics and data reporting/input. Continual contract basis for independent fishing vessels/companies.

(1995 to 2004, G3 Consulting Ltd.)

Position: Project Coordinator, Fisheries & Natural Resources. Senior Biologist.

Environmental Process, BMPs & Law

·         Audit of MWLAP referral process for LWBC and MOT siting criteria and BMP implementation for the protection of the environment. Project required office, database (GOAT) and field review of >300 files/sites. Completed for MWLAP, Nanaimo 2003.

·         Project biologist contributing to Best Management Practices (BMP) development for coastal log handling facilities to mitigate physical and mechanical damage of biota, habitat, and substrates with the goal of preventing adverse impacts on the aquatic environment and surrounding forest ecosystems, and pursuant to objectives of environmental regulatory agencies, including the national DFO policy of No Net Loss of productive capacity of fish habitats. Completed for DFO, 2003.

·         Project biologist contributing to spatial and ecological indices design for biodiversity mapping and assessment of aquatic habitat in BC. Participated in design and application of various indices to determine risk, uniqueness, threat and other components of biodiversity of aquatic habitat. Completed  as  MWLAP project component, 2003.

·         Expert Witness providing testimony in Federal Court relating to fish habitat utilization by salmonids in off-channel areas and fish passage at culverts. Provided written and oral testimony on behalf of client in Federal Court. Services provided for Baker, Corson and Baker, Barristers and Solicitors, 2002.

·         Project coordinator responsible for design, QA , and deployment of innovative sediment transplant devices to monitor effects of pulp mill effluent on benthic invertebrates at near-field diffusion sites. Required development and testing of prototypes and final deployment and retrieval of samplers for prolonged period in inland reservoir as part of federal EEM study. Completed for Abitibi Consolidated Ltd. 2002-2003.

Marine & Aquatic Assessment & Monitoring

·         Biologist contributing to Metal Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring (MMEEM) project design (pre-design phase) to meet federal EEM regulations. Project required classification, interpretation and delineation of various aquatic habitat types in northern subbasins of the Finlay River. Integrated aquatic habitat inventory and resource data with fish, water quality, metal mining operational aspects and existing environmental data to geographically represent aquatic environmental conditions. Use of GIS mapping for spatial and data representation.  Kemess Mines, Smithers, BC.

·         Biologist completing routine sediment monitoring of six finfish aquaculture sites and CEAA assessment of one site for tenure relocation of within Clayquout Sound. Project required sediment collection using Ponar and Van Venn sediment grabs, in-situ sediment monitoring for free sulfides and redox potential using field instruments (Orion and Jenco metres) and calibration techniques. Tenure relocation required extensive SCUBA assessment of intertidal and subtidal habitat as well as deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for data and video collection to depths of 60 m. Sediment and benthos collection were completed and included field sieving organisms for taxonomic identification. Completed on behalf of Mainstream Canada Ltd., Tofino, 2003.

·         Biologist coordinating foreshore and aquatic mitigation planning along Kalamalka Lake at multi-site strata development. Project required habitat mitigation and compensation planning for dock and boat ramp installation, riparian vegetation compensation planning and liason with MWLAP, LWBC and DFO representatives. Completed for Crystal Waters Developments, Edmonton, Alberta, 2003.

·         Biologist coordinating herpetofauna inventory required under Species At Risk Act (SARA) at road development site adjacent to aquatic habitat. Time constraint survey methods were used to identify amphibian use of habitat and/or presence/absence. Completed on behalf of Skway first Nation 2003.

·         Ecological assessment of Anderson Lake and Seton Reservoir to identify and classify environmentally sensitive terrestrial and aquatic habitat of lake shore and littoral areas adjacent to rail line operations. Involved fish collection and underwater assessments including extensive video collection and interpretation from 0m to 40 m dive depth. Completed for BC Rail, 2002-2003.

·         Ecological assessment of proposed landfill site on Sway IR 5 required as part of CEPA assessment and project design. Focussed on delineating and assessing various physical components and identification of fragmented habitat of various seral stages at the proposed development site for TRI Resources Inc., 2003.

·         Fisheries biologist responsible for fish habitat and marine ecosystem data review (office based) for zoning and environmental applications within marine and freshwater areas of the southern Straight of Georgia for Levelton Engineering Ltd (2002).

·         Scientific diver involved in foreshore assessment of proposed barge-loading facility in Portland Canal to ensure No Net loss of fish habitat and provide habitat mitigation/compensation strategies for Portland Canal Aggregates Corporation (2002).

·         Scientific diver overseeing ecological assessment (Phase 1) of Anderson and Seton Lakes, responsible for dive operations conducting periphyton and benthic invertebrate sampling and video transect completion. Completed on behalf of BC Rail (2002).

·         Scientific diver coordinating assessment of artificial reef habitat, Northumberland Channel. Project required use of SCUBA to assess artificial reef habitat and determine success of DFO policy of No Net Loss for Pope & Talbot Inc. Harmac Pulp Operations (three surveys, 2001, 2002 and 2004).

·         Biologist involved in Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program assessing marine benthic invertebrate populations and water quality of coastal marine receiving waters at coastal pulp operation. Completed for Harmac Pacific Inc (2002).

·         Biologist involved in Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program assessing lacustrine benthic invertebrate populations, resident fish species and water quality of interior reservoir receiving waters at two pulp operations. Completed for Abitibi Consolidated Ltd. and Pope and Talbot (2002).

·         Scientific diver during assessment and audits of DFO policy of No Net Loss (NNL) of fish habitat at Burrard Inlet foreshore within Port of Vancouver. Sites completed as part of 26 site audits on behalf of DFO, 1999-2001.

·         Fisheries habitat biologist overseeing marine surveys at 15 proposed Log Dump and Heli-drop sites and facilities in North Coast BC waters. Assessment required identifying sensitive marine and intertidal (lotic) fish habitat and developing mitigative strategies for foreshore development. Completed for Ministry of Forests (Bella Coola). 2000-2001.

·         Fish habitat compensation prescription development, habitat restoration and implementation and environmental monitoring at residential development site adjacent to West Brothers Creek, West Vancouver BC on behalf Hillside Development Ltd. (1999-2002).

·         Site audits under the federal Fisheries Act, No-Net-Loss Policy at South and North Coastal Log Handling Operations (~95 sites). Project assessed suitability of DFO referral process and potential impacts of various log handling facilities on marine and freshwater habitat. Completed for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Vancouver, BC. 1999-2000.

·         Fisheries technician reviewing aspects of closed containment aquaculture to determine environmental effectiveness and waste management issues. Review completed on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1999-2000.

·         Preliminary Site Investigation of industrial development site for property development. Involved water and soil sampling and file review to determine potential for ecological risk. Completed for Leyland Development, 1999.

·         Field aspects of chlorinated organochlorine monitoring programs. Work entailed collection of biota (crab and fish) as well as bottom sediments using ultratrace procedures. Dissections, target organ removal and pathology also conducted for Harmac Pacific and Alberni Pulp and Paper (1997-1999).

·         Field aspects of a biological community assessment program conducted in receiving waters off Harmac Pacific as part of a Ministry of Environment directive. Involved benthic invertebrate and sediment collections as well as water quality (in situ) profiling using a Hydrolab computer unit. 1997.

Fish Stock Assessment & Inventories

·         Fisheries biologist responsible for design, coordination and implementation of fish habitat assessment and utilization study of littoral and foreshore areas of Anderson and Seton Lakes as part of large scale ecological review of lake systems to identify and classify fish habitat adjacent to lineal rail corridor. Project involved gill net, beach seine and minnow trap deployment and lake trawling to determine fish presence and habitat use. Stomach content analysis were completed on 0+ and 1+ salmonids to correlate stomach content to periphyton and/or benthic invertebrate presence/abundance in a variety of substrate and habitat types. Ongoing research on behalf of BC Rail (2002 to 2003).

·         Fisheries biologist coordinating field activities during federal Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program requiring fish, sediment and benthic invertebrate collection within Williston Reservoir on behalf of Pope and Talbot Ltd. and Abitibi Consolidated Inc. (2002-2003).

·         Fish and fish habitat inventory of Nootum River, Doc Creek, Cold Creek and Koeye River within the Central Coast. Assessment of 32 sites selected from 1:50,000 Overview Inventory procedures to assess fish habitat suitability, fish presence and record biophysical stream and wetland attributes. Completed for Weyerhaeuser Ltd. (2001).

·         Survey and inventory of 50 coastal lakes. Work entailed assessment of limnology, riparian function, fisheries resources and bathymetric profiles of lakes situated along the BC Central Coast for BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. Required extensive fish collection techniques, water quality assessment and habitat classification. Project completed two successive years (50 lakes completed, 2000 and 2001).

·         Fish habitat utilization study focussing on Arctic grayling and bull trout habitat in mainstem and off-channel areas of Callazon Creek within the Peace River watershed. Study looked at off-channel suitability to habitat restoration and mainstem, tributary and off-channel summer habitat utilization. Completed on behalf of Chetwynd Forest Industries (West Fraser Mils Ltd.), 2000 to 2001.

·         Coho stock assessment DNA analysis within Necleetsconnay River and off-channel habitat of Bella Coola River. Assessment looked at connectivity of off-channel fish habitat associated with the confluences of three creeks and used DNA analysis of juvenile and adult coho salmon to determine if Necleetsconnay River salmon stocks utilized the habitat area and may have benefited from habitat restoration. Completed for Nuxalk First Nations, 2000-2001.

·         Rotary screw trap (RST) installation within Wannock River to assess sockeye salmon out-migration from Owikeeno Lake. Training of Owikeeno Fisheries program members in trap function and fish handling practices. Owikeeno Fisheries, 2001.

·         Juvenile chinook salmon out-migration population estimates within Chuckwalla and Kilbella Rivers through use of RSTs and Fyke nets. Project included mark and recapture methods, fin clipping for recapture, estuary seining, trap efficiency evaluation, etc. and was associated with ongoing field studies throughout Rivers Inlet, Owikeeno Lake and surrounding rivers. Work often entailed extended stays at a remote float camp established by G3. Work done on behalf of DFO, Vancouver. 1998-2000.

·         Adult chinook salmon AUC estimates of escapement within Chuckwalla and Kilbella River with project aspects including ocean seining, tagging, mark and recapture methods, aerial counts, water quality, habitat mapping. Work done on behalf of DFO, Vancouver. 1998-1999.

·         Fisheries technician responsible for design and implementation of overview hydraulic sampling program within Owikeeno Lake drainages to assess feasibility of using hydraulic sampling as a viable stock assessment tool for sockeye salmon. Completed in conjunction with RIRS on behalf of DFO, Vancouver. 1998.

Watershed Assessment & Restoration

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Level 2 Riparian and Fish Habitat Assessments, prescription development and implementation to restore in-stream and off-channel fish habitat of mainstem and tributary channels in areas of resident salmonid populations. LWD and boulder placement rehabilitated rearing and holding habitat and promoted scour in areas of sediment accumulation. Bank stabilization and riparian habitat restoration completed through LWD revetments, bioengineering and conifer tree planting. On behalf of Chetwynd Forest Products Ltd. (2001).

·         Fisheries Renewal BC, Watershed Assessments and Restoration of the Paisla and Ponds areas in Bella Coola River watershed. Project involved installation of three fish by-pass structures to improve fish passage at abandoned beaver dams to increase available habitat to coho salmon and cutthroat trout (primarily for over-winter and summer habitat). Project also rehabilitated LWD cover within existing off-channel habitat areas through winter placement of LWD, rootwads and cobble/boulder interstitial cover. Completed in conjunction with Nuxalk First Nations and Fisheries Renewal BC. Several projects conducted. 1999-2001.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Cottonwood River, fish passage restoration at culverts and stream restoration prescription development and implementation under the FRBC Fish Habitat Assessment Procedure (FHAP) for West Fraser Mills (Quesnel). 1999-2001.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Level 2 Riparian and Fish Habitat Assessments, prescription development and implementation to restore in-stream fish habitat through LWD and boulder placement to improve rearing and holding habitat and promote scour in areas of sediment accumulation. Bank stabilization and riparian habitat restoration completed through LWD revetments, bioengineering and conifer tree planting. On behalf of Tatlayoko Woodlot Association (1999-2000).

·         Watershed Assessment and Water Quality Program Level 1 and 2 Fish Habitat Assessments under Forest Renewal BC of Necleetsconnay River Watershed (Bella Coola). Project assessed habitat suitability for restorative work upstream of a known fish barrier to determine benefits to resident Dolly Varden stocks and potential benefits on water quality throughout the watershed. Completed for International Forest Products (Bella Coola). 1999-2000.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, of three watersheds in the Peace Region. Level 1 & 2 Fisheries and Riparian Assessments, Fisheries Inventory and Assessments, GIS mapping and prescription development and extensive implementation over several yeas, conducted by G3 in conjunction with MELP (Ft. St. John's) and Chetwynd Forest Industries (West Fraser Mills). 1999-2001

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Homathko/Mosley Watershed Level 1 & 2 Fish Habitat Assessment Procedures (FHAP) and Riparian Assessments. Assessed 10 subbasins of the upper Homathko River to determine suitability of off-channel or mainstem habitat restoration for resident salmonids. Opportunities to increase riparian cover and prevent further stream bank erosion in agricultural areas were assessed. Project completed for the Tatlayoko Woodlot Association, Tatla Lake, BC. 1998-2000.

·         Fish Passage Culvert Inspection (FPCI; ~200 culverts), Willow Creek Watershed. Assessed passage restrictions at culverts to recommend restoration of fish passage where warranted based on potential upstream habitat condition, fish presence and practicality of restoration success. Completed for BC Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks (Williams Lake). 1999.

·         Twinflower Creek Watershed Channel Assessment Procedure (CAP) completed in lower (private property) sections of Twinflower creek to assess channel stability after peakflow events, completed for Riverside Forest Products Ltd. 1998.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Beaver Valley Watershed Overview and Level 1 Fish Habitat Assessment Procedures (FHAP) and Riparian Assessments to determine upper extent of coho and chinook salmon restoration opportunities and assess habitat condition. Field and office aspects for Weldwood of Canada Ltd. 1998.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, McKinley Creek Watershed Overview and Level 1 Fish Habitat Assessment Procedures (FHAP). Field and office aspects for Riverside Forest Products Ltd. 1998.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Powell Lake Watershed Overview Fish Habitat Assessment Procedures (FHAP) as part of Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedures. Office based assessment of maps, airphotos and fisheries data to determine fisheries values of mainstem and tributary habitat. Completed for McElhanney Engineering Ltd. 1996.

·         Watershed Restoration Program, Overview and Level 1 FHAP of Quesnel Lake drainages. Required airphoto interpretation and mapping of reach breaks to identify fish habitat and stream channel characteristics in mainstem and off-channel areas accessible to anadromous sockeye, chinook and coho salmon as well as resident salmonids. Completed for West Fraser Mills (1996 to 1997).

Environmental Training

·         Developed curriculum and conducted training to First Nations groups in the Prince Rupert region of BC. Training was in underwater surveying techniques and applications as part of a large commercial training program being conducted by the Commercial Diving Group (several classes, 2001-2002).

·         Involved in the development of curriculum and conducted training to Nuxalk First Nations in fisheries, water quality and watershed restoration procedures. Training done under Fisheries Renewal BC. 2000.

·         Developed curriculum and conducted training to community members, ranchers, forest workers and property owners in riparian and fisheries assessment, water quality monitoring and watershed restoration procedures. Training done under Forest Renewal BC. 1998.

Spatial Data, Mapping & Graphics (Various Projects)

·         Completed data queries, map alteration and production, editing and printing of TRIM based data including watershed delineation using geographic boundaries for creation of watershed management and restoration planning maps.

·         Utilized Arc Info coverage data to create resource, fish and fish habitat base maps for provincial (RIC) fish inventory projects, including watershed atlas and FISS data sources.

·         Collected and verified depth data with DGPS positional data for lake bathymetric mapping using XYZ coordinates to create triangular irregular network (TIN) surficial layers for contour depth derivation. Data collected in Lowrance ASCI format and converted to Arc Info coverage.

·         Utilized provincial and federal databases to assess siting criteria of numerous Crown land tenures to determine impact on sensitive habitat throughout Coastal areas of BC. Data sources included Geographical Oracle Assessment Tool (GOAT; SRM/MWLAP), Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping (SHIM; DFO.MSRM), Fisheries Information Summary System (FISS; DFO and MSRM) and integration of numerous hardcopy environmental map atlases.

·         Collected and edited various underwater video segments for use in biophysical reporting. Videography completed using SCUBA in freshwater and marine environments and subsequently edited for output in digital (DVD) format and VHS.

(1988 to 1994, Aqua Tierra Biological, Bella Coola)

Position: Partner & Contractor

·         Fisheries technician in Upper Nass River sockeye salmon genetic inventory, involved in adult fish collection throughout the Nass River watershed. Involved in Babine River adult fish enumeration fence and juvenile downstream trapping projects. DFO, 1994.

·         Fish stock assessment technician, Owikeeno Lake, Neechite Spawning Channel and Docee River regions. Completed adult sockeye, chum, coho and chinook and biological sampling of fish for scale-otolith age classification and DNA analysis as well as maintained field equipment, monitored and recorded water levels. DFO, 1989 to 1992

·         Fish hatchery technician, Snootli Creek Fish Hatchery (DFO). Involved in all aspects of fish hatchery work.  Seasonal responsibilities included broodstock collection, water quality monitoring, juvenile fish tagging, sampling, and feeding, fish releases, habitat utilization and outmigration studies of coho, chum, chinook and pink salmon. Spawning and rearing habitat assessments and carcass dead-pitches were completed on the Bella Coola River, Atnarko River and spawning channel and tributaries as required. DFO, 1988 to 1991

 

 

 


Kynoch Resources
For more information Contact Kynoch Resources 

Home :: Services :: Projects :: Personnel :: Contact

 

Background image C. M.Wigle