The Fish and Wildlife Branch (FWB) is implementing a data sharing policy to guide how ecological data is accepted from third parties, manage ecological data that have restrictions on the way they may be used, and share ecological data with others. In terms of informal data requests, the policy ensures that the way ecological data is accepted and shared will be in accordance with the ATIPP Act. FWB is committed to sharing ecological data as openly as possible, while ensuring that sharing this data does not negatively impact series and ecosystems, as well as the way to manage a sustainable harvest and the working relationship with others. This policy is needed to ensure that sharing of ecological data is consistent and transparent and the reasons why an informal data request may be denied.
Fish and Wildlife Data Sharing Policy and Procedures
Environment Trivia Games (Kahoot)
The Wildlife Viewing Program offers various activities and programs to the public to inform them about the Yukon wilderness. One of the activities include hosting a trivia night for members of the public. Due to the pandemic, the Wildlife Viewing Program was restricted from hosting certain in-person events for a couple of years. As a result, the trivia nights were converted into a digital process using Kahoot to host the trivia games. This also enabled Wildlife Viewing Program to reach a wider audience and limit the amount of in-person interactions (i.e. departmental staff no longer are required to circulate and collect papers from contestants).The Wildlife Viewing will utilize Kahoot software making it easier for Wildlife Viewing Program to disseminate information about Yukon wildlife to the public, and it is more engaging and fun for users. The Department of Environment will not collect any personal information, however, Kahoot does allow users to use its services with or without a Kahoot account. The PIA focuses on how the department will manage the data which may include personal information.
Drones Permitting Application
There has been an increase in the filming and photography professions to promote the Yukon’s wildlife and nature. Many professionals in these industries use drones in addition to other film and still-photo capturing devices, however, the Wildlife Act and its Regulations prohibits anyone from using drones to hunt wildlife. As a result, a new program is required to ensure that the filming and photography professionals are able to use drones in their industry and for the department to continue to administer the legislative requirements of the Wildlife Act and Regulations. This new initiative will introduce a new permitting application for the use of drones while capturing video footage and images of hunting wildlife. This new initiative is available for wildlife photography businesses to film or photograph the hunting of Yukon wildlife. The permit is free of charge.
Angler Fishing Survey Using Trail Cameras
Fish and Wildlife Branch (FWB) conducts angler surveys on multiple lakes and rivers throughout the Yukon during the open water season. Interviews are conducted by surveyors stationed at specified locations (i.e. boat launch) on randomly selected days throughout the summer and occasionally winter months. Summer angler surveys generally run from mid-May till beginning of September and winter surveys run from December till April. To supplement our current and future data, FWB is proposing using trail cameras in addition to in-person interviews. Angler surveys are designed to cover approximately 20-40% of total fishing days throughout a survey period. During analysis, the data is extrapolated to provide an estimate of total angler hours and fish caught/harvested. The data collected from the cameras will supplement our in-person data and better verify our current method of survey design/analysis. The initiative will take place on lakes/rivers that are suitable for capturing total anglers/boats launching during the survey hours (i.e. bottleneck access points and optimal field of view). The cameras will be programmed to take pictures of the access point to capture images of anglers launching boats or potentially fishing from shore.
Our Clean Future Website
A website is being developed for reporting communications and awareness building on the subject of Our Clean Future (OCF), a Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy. The website will be hosted on a non-Yukon.ca platform in order to support efficiency, automated entry of information and reporting efforts regarding actions and decisions implemented to create a green economy. The website will support principles related to accountability and transparency between the Department of Environment (ENV) and Yukon public members.
Driving the Firebelt (Audio Tour App)
The initiative plans to use a 3rd party mobile app to deliver information regarding wildfires and their impacts to ecology along the North Klondike Highway. The app to be publicly known as "Driving the Firebelt" is provided by MyTours through STQRY.com. They provide a template and the Wildlife Viewing Program will provide all the required content to the template. When the app is built, it will be hosted in the App Store or Google Play and can be downloaded by users who are interested in listening to information about wildfires in the Yukon as they are driving. This PIA covers the interaction between users and the app provided by STQRY. The scope of this PIA will also explore how personal information (PI) will be collected, used and/or disclosed by the Department of Environment. The department does not plan to collect any PI from users using the Firebelt Tour app. There will be no login/sign-in option for the app. Users will be able to use the app immediately after downloading it.