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Gordon's Letter to Peterson and Ryall
Dear
Sirs,
At one time, depending on whom you listen to, between 10,000 to 40,000
Thompson River steelhead returned to that river to spawn each
year. This year, according to the Southern Interior Region,
Ministry of Water, Lands and Air Protection, it’s probable that
around 800 fish will return—a level of return that surely will not
sustain itself. While I choose to focus on steelhead escapement to
the Thompson River, it’s clear the problem of dwindling and
endangered steelhead stocks exists for many, if not all, fall
run Fraser River steelhead stocks like the Stein, Nahatlach and
Chilco.
It is unconscionable that sport fisheries remain open when the return of
steelhead is expected to be so low. While I understand that the
mortality rate for steelhead sport fisheries is around 10 per
cent, at some point we must recognize that every fish is needed.
Sport fisheries also trigger fisheries in other sectors of
society--it appears everyone wants to be last on the water.
It is equally unacceptable that both the BC and federal
governments continue to exploit this resource to the breaking
point by allowing commercial and aboriginal net fisheries that
intercept co migrating Fraser steelhead stocks While I appreciate
the effort in attempting to make gillnets more selective the sad
truth is that too many steelhead still die with each fishery.
It’s time for governments to do their job in protecting these fragile
steelhead stocks before we lose them entirely. It’s time for your
agencies to stop shifting blame among each other, stop pandering
to select client groups and to do what is right for the fish.
Close all fisheries that impact upon their number.
As a sports fisher who is willing to forego fishing in favour of ensuring
steelhead for the future, I urge you to work together
cooperatively to begin an effective stock rebuilding program that
will ensure Fraser steelhead have a place in the future. We have
an excellent example in Thompson coho of what can be done.
To:
Mr. Don
Peterson
Director,
Fish and Wildlife Recreation and Allocation Branch Government of
BC PO Box 9363 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9M2
Fax 250 356-7280
Mr. Paul Ryall,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region Chief Resource
Management,
Lower Fraser Area,
100 Annacis Parkway Unit 3,
Delta BC V3M 6A2
Fax 604 666-7112
Yours truly,
<original signed by>
Greg Gordon
cc BC Federation of Fly Fishers
Steelhead Society of BC
Sierra Club of BC
Watershed Watch
BC Federation of Drift Fishers
General distribution
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