Conservation Council Calls for Action on Salmon Stocks and Habitat

Vancouver, June 8, 1999 - Changes in salmon conservation strategies and practices, particularly those of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, were recommended today by an independent watchdog organization.

In its first annual report, the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council suggests that governments work together to rebuild salmon stocks and habitat. The Council also pointed out the pressing need for better information about the status of stocks and habitat conditions.

The Council's report recommends a systematic annual review of stock status and monitoring systems, and the introduction of more advanced assessment and estimation systems to ensure better decisions about essential conservation measures.

"As a Council, we chose to take a long-term perspective of conservation solutions and what could be achieved," said the Council Chairman, John Fraser. "In preparing the report, we found that there is no shortage of immediate problems and crisis conditions, particularly for small and isolated salmon stocks."

The report endorsed the selective fishing strategy to protect coho salmon, and reinforced the policies to protect and rebuild the Thompson and Upper Skeena coho and weaker stocks in general.

The importance of habitat restoration, water quality and involvement of stewardship groups were also emphasized in the report.

Along with the report, the Council published four background papers, detailing the past fishing season, habitat protection measures and stock status.

"Those papers provide the underpinning for much of the report's contents and advice, and serve as a valuable reference about Pacific fisheries conditions and challenges," said Chairman John Fraser.

The Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council was created in September, 1998 to advise governments and the public about conservation of fish, specifically salmon and steelhead, and their freshwater and ocean habitat in British Columbia. Its members include Carl Walters, Don Ryan, Rick Routledge, Paul LeBlond, Terry Glavin, Murray Chatwin, Mary-Sue Atkinson and Mark Angelo.

Copies of the report and background papers are available from the Council's Vancouver office or through its web site (www.fish.bc.ca).

For more information, contact:

Sheila-Marie Cook

Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council

604-775-5621

cook@fish.bc.ca

Related Reports:

Salmon Stocks