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DFO To Tackle “Alarming” Chinook Returns
Published Date: 2008/1/22 0:10:00Article ID : 3487
Version 1.00
By Keven Drews
A Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist plans to hold a workshop in March so scientists and stakeholders can determine why chinook salmon stocks have dropped to such alarming levels in Clayoquot Sound.
Dianna Dobson, a DFO fisheries biologist for the West Coast of Vancouver Island, said the workshop could take place in Port Alberni and include scientists who’ll develop a research plan and industry representatives who’ll work on collaborative management.
“Something’s going on with Clayoquot,” she said. “The bottom line is I don’t really know.”
Yesterday, the Westcoaster.ca reported that inn 2007, only 13 chinook returned to the Megin, 43 to the Bedwell/Urses, 112 to the Moyeha and 226 to the Tranquil.
Those numbers were provided to the Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board. Meantime, 653 and 7,535 chinook returned to the San Juan and Nitnat Rivers, respectively.
Dobson said she could think of at least six different factors leading to poor chinook returns, including the impact of commercial and sports fisheries, natural predation, natural ocean productivity that creates food for fish, and salmon farming.
“The habitat is pretty pristine, so it doesn’t appear to be habitat.”
She said the problem is serious, especially in rivers where less than 50 fish have returned.
“We need to do something about it. If there’s less than 50 adults, you’re getting into some genetic issues.”
Dobson said no date has been set for the conference.
Keven.drews@westcoaster.ca
Published Date: 2008/1/22 0:10:00Article ID : 3487
Version 1.00
By Keven Drews
A Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist plans to hold a workshop in March so scientists and stakeholders can determine why chinook salmon stocks have dropped to such alarming levels in Clayoquot Sound.
Dianna Dobson, a DFO fisheries biologist for the West Coast of Vancouver Island, said the workshop could take place in Port Alberni and include scientists who’ll develop a research plan and industry representatives who’ll work on collaborative management.
“Something’s going on with Clayoquot,” she said. “The bottom line is I don’t really know.”
Yesterday, the Westcoaster.ca reported that inn 2007, only 13 chinook returned to the Megin, 43 to the Bedwell/Urses, 112 to the Moyeha and 226 to the Tranquil.
Those numbers were provided to the Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board. Meantime, 653 and 7,535 chinook returned to the San Juan and Nitnat Rivers, respectively.
Dobson said she could think of at least six different factors leading to poor chinook returns, including the impact of commercial and sports fisheries, natural predation, natural ocean productivity that creates food for fish, and salmon farming.
“The habitat is pretty pristine, so it doesn’t appear to be habitat.”
She said the problem is serious, especially in rivers where less than 50 fish have returned.
“We need to do something about it. If there’s less than 50 adults, you’re getting into some genetic issues.”
Dobson said no date has been set for the conference.
Keven.drews@westcoaster.ca
