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Author Topic: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media  (Read 15390 times)

Steelhead Society of BC

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Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« on: November 21, 2017, 01:12:58 PM »

As quite a few may be aware of the current topic and serious reality facing us; Thompson and Chilcotin River Steelhead.

*this petition has received over 34,000 signatures in 48 hours.


This past Fall, FLNRO released the estimated Steelhead "Spawner Abundance" for both the Thompson River and Chilcotin River. As of 2016 and 2017, the run has been classified by FLNRO as an "Extreme Conservation Concern", with only 145 Steelhead expected to return to the Thompson River watershed, and a mere 45 Steelhead expected to return to the Chilcotin River. These are the lowest returning numbers to date in 41 to 47 years respectively of data collection from both systems. (Thompson River Steelhead returns in the last 10 years have varied from 650-1200 fish)

In the Fall of 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) allowed Commercial and FN gill net fisheries to commence in the Fraser River while gravely endangered Interior Steelhead migrated through the Fraser River. Thompson and Chilcotin River Steelhead migration typically peaks in the second week of October (roughly October 10th), but these fish are migrating between September and through November. Migration periods of Interior Steelhead and other salmonid species coincide with Commercial and FN gill net fisheries every Fall, and we know through data collection that about 20% of the Steelhead return is to be lost during these Fall gill net fisheries in which Steelhead fall victim to incidental by-catch. We are also not to forget that Steelhead are intercepted in the Pacific Ocean during seine fisheries in areas such as Johnstone Strait.

There are certainly many issues still facing these fish; Ocean survival, bad fishing practices during Winter/Spring months, predation, water draw from rearing and spawning tributaries, but immediate changes of problems we can control must be dealt with. We cannot go ahead with yet another year of status quo non-selectibe gill net fisheries, or non-selective fisheries that coincide with these iconic Steelhead. We are dealing with a special genetic strain of Steelhead that has not only been proven to be the strongest and most fit Wild Steelhead to swim on planet Earth, but we are dealing with this species that is only 190 fish away from extirpation.

Another Fall season of these non-selective gill and seine net fisheries is unacceptable. We need the general public to come together in a time of unity to make sure we have our voices finally heard, and that action happens immediately. This is an uphill battle, but one that can be won.

Above is just one of many petitions circulating, but this particular petition is going to have the biggest outreach as organizations such as Patagonia have picked this up.

This topic has gained incredible media attention through various organizations such as CBC, Patagonia, Williams Lake Tribune, and much more. See recent articles below:

CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/extremely-close-to-being-gone-forever-b-c-fisheries-manager-says-feds-failing-interior-steelhead-1.4388170

Williams Lake Tribune: http://www.wltribune.com/news/steelhead-face-extinction-in-chilcotin-watershed/

Patagonia: https://www.facebook.com/patagoniaflyfish/photos/a.673446646041841.1073741830.672398732813299/1600255306694299/?type=3&theater

Vernon Morning Star: https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/b-c-steelhead-fishery-faces-extinction/

Media Release: http://www.bcfdf.com/bcfdf_news/2017-11-08%20BC%20wild%20steelhead%20crisis.pdf

*We are holding our Annual Pub Night Fundraiser on Thursday, November 23rd, 2017 at Micky's Public House in Coquitlam. At this event, you can also sign our own SSBC Hand-Signed Petition which will also be delivered to various MLA's and MP's. We also encourage those attending to ask questions to our Directors about the current topic at hand*


The Steelhead Society of BC
« Last Edit: November 21, 2017, 01:32:50 PM by Steelhead Society of BC »
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Wild Fish, Wild Rivers

avid angler

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2017, 02:42:16 PM »

Thanks for posting this. I hope everyone on here takes the time to sign it.
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Wiseguy

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2017, 07:25:37 PM »

Signed
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Steelhead Society of BC

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2017, 05:57:54 PM »

A little bump to the top for a very important topic.
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obie1fish

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2017, 07:15:21 PM »

Signed. The decision makers need a conscience to make things right.
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bigsnag

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2017, 10:46:10 PM »

Thanks for posting this. I hope everyone on here takes the time to sign it.
X2
signed
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It ain't the roe bro'

Steelhead Society of BC

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2017, 04:53:35 PM »

Much appreciated guys!

We should also mention that we (The SSBC) also have our own "Hand-Signed" Petition available for signatures at Sea-Run Fly & Tackle. We will likely have this petition available at other locations in the coming weeks.

Cheers.
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Rodney

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2017, 08:48:14 PM »

Canadian wildlife experts initiate emergency steelhead assessment
COSEWIC warns of “imminent threat to survival of the species”

 
NEWS RELEASE
December 12, 2017
Steelhead Society of British Columbia
 
The Steelhead Society of British Columbia is applauding a recent decision by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) to take emergency action on behalf of collapsing Interior Fraser River system steelhead populations.
 
Citing concerns about Thompson River and Chilcotin River steelhead, COSEWIC has informed the Canadian government that it will be undertaking an emergency assessment of Interior Fraser steelhead very early in 2018.
 
In a December 7 letter, COSEWIC chair Dr. Rick Taylor, a University of BC zoology professor, pointed to recent “biological information indicating that there is an imminent threat to the survival of the species” as underlying the decision to undertake this emergency assessment.
 
COSEWIC is an independent advisory panel of Canadian scientists and other wildlife biology experts who advise the Canadian government about threats to Canadian wildlife.
 
Species determined to be at risk of extinction are considered for inclusion under the Canadian Species At Risk Act (SARA), which provides broad protections to threatened Canadian wildlife.  The results of the COSEWIC assessment are expected in spring 2018.
 
“I have mixed emotions about this news” said Steelhead Society {President Brian Braidwood. “On one hand I’m thankful that the scientific community recognizes the importance of Interior Fraser steelhead; on the other I’m saddened that these great fish are in danger of extinction. It’s one of those things you wish you were wrong about.”
 
Less than 200 Thompson steelhead and about 45 Chilcotin steelhead returned to spawn this fall compared to spawning populations in the thousands a quarter-century ago.
 
Formed in 1970 by a group of dedicated Steelhead anglers concerned about the state of wild steelhead stocks and the wild rivers of British Columbia, the Steelhead Society is a charitable non-profit river conservation organization. The Society has evolved to advocate for the health of all wild salmonids and wild rivers in British Columbia.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Brian Braidwood, President, SSBC
604-626-7085
brian_braidwood@hotmail.com
 
Cody Sojka, Director, SSBC
778-241-2837
Cody_Sojka@hotmail.ca

Rodney

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2017, 01:12:23 PM »

We now have an official House of Commons e-petition requesting the Minister to suspend all non-selective gill net fisheries during the Interior steelhead migration. 500 signatures from Canadian citizens are needed for this to be brought up next year, petition is open until mid April. Please sign it.

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1416

wildmanyeah

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2017, 02:12:23 PM »

We now have an official House of Commons e-petition requesting the Minister to suspend all non-selective gill net fisheries during the Interior steelhead migration. 500 signatures from Canadian citizens are needed for this to be brought up next year, petition is open until mid April. Please sign it.

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1416

There is also this one going around

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1419

But i am not sure if a listing would mean the end of recreational fishing as well.
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Dave

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2017, 02:43:00 PM »

If indeed these fish are eventually listed under SARA that would mean the end of rec fishing when these fish are in the river. Under the true meaning of SARA, that might mean when juveniles are rearing as well.
 A SARA listing can have has huge economic implications and is one of the main reasons Cultus sockeye were not listed.
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wildmanyeah

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2017, 03:12:22 PM »

Thanks,

Just confirmed what I thought.
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Rodney

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2017, 03:25:25 PM »

Species that undergo SARA assessment could be listed as extirpated, endangered, threatened, or a special concern. Each listing impacts activities in the species' range differently.

wildmanyeah

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Re: Save Thompson & Chilcotin River Steelhead Petition & Media
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2017, 04:23:01 PM »

If indeed these fish are eventually listed under SARA that would mean the end of rec fishing when these fish are in the river. Under the true meaning of SARA, that might mean when juveniles are rearing as well.
 A SARA listing can have has huge economic implications and is one of the main reasons Cultus sockeye were not listed.

"Sockeye Salmon (Cultus population)
Designated Endangered in an emergency assessment in October 2002. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2003. "

http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/species/Csar2017-Eng.pdf

IS this not a SARA listing?
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