The provincial government is contemplating a ban on recreational fishing in Vancouver Island rivers and streams because of “extraordinarily” low water levels, said Andy Thomson, Area Director Fisheries and Oceans Canada, South Coast.
He asked Nuu-chah-nulth hereditary chiefs and delegates of the Council of Ha’wiih June 26 if they supported such a move.
“I’m happy to pass on if you are supportive or not,” he told the gathering.
Vancouver Island is the worst area in B.C. for drought, Thomson said, and there are concerns about salmon-bearing river systems.
“This is a bad year,” Thomson said. “We need to take actions where we can.”
The Ha’wiih were in support, and they passed a motion that approved of B.C. prohibiting recreational fishing in freshwater rivers and lakes in their territories.
The Ha’wiih also talked about ideas for moving trapped salmon fry from tiny pools in drying rivers to connected waters where they can escape into the ocean.
James Swan asked if DFO still funded salmon enhancement programs where such work can be done.
Phillip Edgar said Ditidaht First Nation viewed salmon as so important that the Nation contributed more than $1 million each year into the Nitinat Lake DFO hatchery. The young people in the community also do fry salvage.
The Hesquiaht Nation has dozens of streams in their ha-houlthee (chiefly lands) and low water levels were trapping their coho. They wondered if DFO had equipment to move those fry, because Hesquiaht was going to need help.
Thomson said he would look into the availability of equipment for fry salvage.
