Federal Minister worried about Steelhead!

OldBlackDog

Well-Known Member
Federal Fisheries minister worried about Steelhead in Thompson, Chilcotin rivers
Shane Woodford
December 10, 2018 09:31 am
December 10, 2018 09:31 am
steelhead.jpg

The federal Fisheries and Oceans minister is concerned about Steelhead returns.

DFO minister, and North Vancouver Liberal MP, Jonathan Wilkinson says he is very much aware of both the Thompson and Chilcotin rivers Steelhead returns teetering on the brink of extinction.

“Steelhead is probably the most striking and challenging case. A number of the runs of the Steelhead are at levels that are extremely small. The focus in terms of Steelhead is complex. The biggest issue with respect to Steelhead now is by-catch when it runs with salmon stock. Finding ways to address the Steelhead issue means you actually have to think about how they interact with Salmon.”

Wilkinson says the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has done, and will continue to do, a lot of work on how to address the by-catch issue so Steelhead can return to spawning grounds.

That said he adds Steelhead are not alone noting troubled Chinook Salmon stocks and the impact on Southern Resident Killer Whales is also a major concern.
 
Federal Fisheries minister worried about Steelhead in Thompson, Chilcotin rivers
Shane Woodford
December 10, 2018 09:31 am
December 10, 2018 09:31 am
steelhead.jpg

The federal Fisheries and Oceans minister is concerned about Steelhead returns.

DFO minister, and North Vancouver Liberal MP, Jonathan Wilkinson says he is very much aware of both the Thompson and Chilcotin rivers Steelhead returns teetering on the brink of extinction.

“Steelhead is probably the most striking and challenging case. A number of the runs of the Steelhead are at levels that are extremely small. The focus in terms of Steelhead is complex. The biggest issue with respect to Steelhead now is by-catch when it runs with salmon stock. Finding ways to address the Steelhead issue means you actually have to think about how they interact with Salmon.”

Wilkinson says the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has done, and will continue to do, a lot of work on how to address the by-catch issue so Steelhead can return to spawning grounds.

That said he adds Steelhead are not alone noting troubled Chinook Salmon stocks and the impact on Southern Resident Killer Whales is also a major concern.

Funny how he says, " The biggest issue with respect to Steelhead now is by-catch when it runs with salmon stock.", with no mention of invertebrate die off or compromised water chemistry. Typical top down assessment without any conformation that the bottom up factors are correctly in formation to produce fish!
 
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