Greg Knox, Aaron Hill and Misty MacDuffee: B.C. conservationists challenge Alaskans to put sustainability first
Vancouver Province
July 25, 2013. Section: Opinion
Skeena River sockeye salmon are returning in desperately low numbers this summer, causing concern among conservationists for the future of one of British Columbia’s largest and most diverse salmon runs.
The run collapse has triggered closures of commercial and recreational fisheries in BC, and may trigger restrictions on First Nations’ food fisheries. Meanwhile, commercial fisheries have been intercepting Skeena sockeye in southeast Alaska, less than 100 kilometres from the mouth of the Skeena River, near Prince Rupert.
The cause of the apparent collapse is not known and SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and Raincoast Conservation Foundation are calling on Alaskan fishery managers to put conservation ahead of short-term commercial interests by allowing more Skeena sockeye to make it home to spawn…
To read the full article please visit the Vancouver Province website.
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