By Pete McIntyre

Local MP backs petition on salmon stocks

Dec 7, 2020 | 2:14 PM

The MP for North Okanagan Shuswap is demanding the Trudeau government do a better job of managing salmon stocks in parts of B.C.

Mel Arnold has tabled a petition in the House of Commons that calls on the fisheries minister to develop a comprehensive recovery strategy for Fraser River stocks of concern.

The petition also seeks changes to allow public fishery anglers to access marked hatchery or abundant healthy Chinook stocks.

“The federal government has increased restrictions on British Columbia’s public fishery over the past five years while rejecting proposals that would provide fishery access to healthy stocks, avoid stocks of concern and aid in recovery,” Arnold stated.

Arnold added the public fishery in B.C. is a major economic driver for coastal communities, contributing $1.1 billion to the Canadian economy and providing 9,000 jobs in B.C., according to recent provincial studies.

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“The Trudeau government’s promises of restoring our Pacific salmon stocks have failed while successive fisheries ministers have chosen to ignore viable and proven proposals for restoring and conserving populations that continue to decline,” Arnold said. “The support this petition received from coast-to-coast-to-coast demonstrates that our Pacific public fishery and salmon stocks are of national significance and that it is time for the federal government to pivot from their failed strategies and adopt proven solutions in a comprehensive recovery strategy to benefit salmon and fisheries.”

The Public Fishery Alliance is also calling for changes.

“We are encouraged to see Canadians from across the nation standing in solidarity with British Columbians in our efforts to conserve Pacific salmon and the public fishery,” Warren Barker said of the alliance. “Our organization will continue to press the federal government for sustainable access and viable solutions that will restore and conserve our fishery for generations to come.”

by Pete McIntyre

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