Independent Conservation Council Urges Dedicated Resources to Begin the Lengthy Process to Restore the Okanagan Salmon: Annual R

Osoyoos, October 18, 2002 - Appearing at the
International Okanagan River Salmon Festival, the Pacific Fisheries
Resource Conservation Council (PFRCC) released its 2001-2002 Annual
Report drawing attention to the opportunities and challenges of
restoring the salmon runs of the Okanagan River. This year’s report
presents a comprehensive account of Pacific salmon stocks in southern
BC and the Okanagan River. While Council experts conclude that there
remains a rich diversity and abundance of Pacific salmon throughout
much of southern BC, they note, along with the Okanagan Nation
Alliance, the need to dedicate resources if the Okanagan salmon
resources are to be restored.

To obtain a copy of Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council: Annual Report 2001-2002, go to www.fish.bc.ca

“The Council is delighted in the good news regarding the number of
sockeye spawners in recent years; it is testimony to the resilience of
this stock that it continues to survive in the Okanagan River, now
deemed the most endangered river in B.C. Conservation and restoration
of sockeye, and other species in this basin, is a huge challenge but
one that has been accepted by many organizations in the Okanagan River
Region” said the Honourable John A. Fraser, Council Chairman, who was
in Osoyoos participating in the International Okanagan River Salmon
Festival. “In the opinion of Council experts there is an obvious and
immediate need for dedicated resources for annual monitoring and
research into the factors limiting salmon production. Further, there is
a need to direct the information gained from this effort to future
steps in restoration. The restoration of the fisheries resources of the
river is a huge challenge that needs to be faced by all levels of
government and non-government organizations alike along with First
Nations and local communities. In this case, given the international
dimensions of the problem, our neighbours to the south must also be
engaged and committed to the challenge.”

The Council believes that there can be a viable and productive
future for Pacific salmon in the Okanagan but attention must be paid to
protecting and restoring habitat and ensuring an empirical basis for
stock assessment, management and enforcement decisions. All should be
aware that the task of rebuilding the salmon in this disturbed
ecosystem will be both long-term and costly. Not only are there
significant technical and scientific challenges, but the social and
cultural challenges will also be enormous. Restoration of these natural
resources will be a true test of the resolve of both countries and
their ability to co-operate, especially amongst several governmental
levels and non-governmental institutions.

This year’s annual report is the Council’s most comprehensive
reporting of the state of salmon for southern British Columbia.
Subsequent reports will address Pacific salmon stocks in central and
northern BC and trans-boundary rivers including the Yukon River, as
well as steelhead and salmon habitat.

Some of the essentials covered in Annual Report 2001-2002 include:

• The need to understand and resolve the pre-spawning mortality
that, in recent years, is putting late-run Fraser River sockeye stocks,
including the famed Adams River run, in jeopardy.

• An historical perspective on the status of Pacific salmon in
southern BC and programs used to assess the production of this
important resource.

• The need for an objective assessment of the net benefit of
hatchery production of Pacific salmon and the ecological interactions
of hatchery and wild salmon.

• Identification of conservation and management concerns with
individual salmon stocks, particularly noting issues for Cultus Lake
and Sakinaw Lake sockeye salmon that were both recently submitted to
COSEWIC (The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)
for emergency consideration.
• Developing a process for accountability of stock analyses and government actions to conserve Pacific salmon

Overall the Council noted that after 150 years of development in
southern BC, there remains a rich diversity of Pacific salmon and an
abundance of salmon in many locations. Frequently news about Pacific
salmon stress negative aspects, but it is important to realize that
there have been successes in conservation, not just problems. Council
members emphasized that while there certainly can be a viable and
productive future for Pacific salmon in southern BC, there must also be
a strong public commitment and ethic to conservation. Further, Council
members caution that as ocean production improves and salmon abundance
increases care must be taken to avoid complacency about current habitat
conditions and management. Improved assessment systems and habitat
restoration will be major components of Pacific salmon conservation in
the future.

The Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council was established
in 1998. Its role is to provide independent, strategic advice and
relevant information to Canada’s and British Columbia’s fisheries
ministers as well as to the Canadian public on the status and long-term
sustainable use of wild salmon stocks and their freshwater and ocean
habitats.

For more information, contact:
 
Dr. Brian Riddell
Science Advisor Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council
250-714-5599
 
Gordon Ennis
Managing Director Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council
604-775-6070
ennis@fish.bc.ca
 
John Paul Fraser
Media Liaison Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council
604-775-5789
fraser@fish.bc.c

Related Reports:

Annual Report 2001 2002