British Columbia (BC) First Nations inhabiting the upper Fraser River area have asked the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans to impose a moratorium (ban) on early spring Chinook fishing, fearing that current levels of fishing may contribute to the species' extinction.
Fisheries Manager of the Nicola Tribal Association and Chief of the Siska Band, Fred Sampson, says the Fraser River's early spring Chinook are in crisis and that the population cannot sustain further pressure from fishing.
Sampson notes that "First Nations are adamantly opposed to the sport fishing of these stocks." The proposed moratorium would be imposed on all fisheries, including First Nations fisheries, and would ban fishing for food, social, and ceremonial uses.
According to Sampson, only 25 Chinook made it back to the Spius area in the Nicola River System last year. This is also the third year in a row that First Nations have taken a formal stance against reduced catching of the early Spring salmon run.
The news follows three days of meetings between West coast First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
For more info: CTV
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