Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead Trout: consultation on the potential emergency listing under the Species at Risk Act The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has performed an emergency assessment of both the Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead Trout populations (or Designatable Units [DUs]) and found them to be endangered. Following an emergency…
Today the Department of Fisheries and Oceans released the final versions of the Northern and Southern Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs). These documents contain information on the management approaches and decision guidelines for all species, management unites and major fishery areas. Northern IFMP Letter 2018. For the full IFMPs: North Coast IFMP South Coast IFMP
A recently released paper in the journal Facets on Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) in farmed Atlantic and Chinook salmon. The paper suggests that migratory Chinook salmon may be at more than a minimal risk of disease from exposure to high levels of PRV occurring in salmon farms. Title: The same strain of Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV-1) is involved in the development…
A new online portal was just launched to improve public access to science relevant to salmon management and conservation–Salmon-Net. Introduction email below: The primary goal of the website is to showcase recent and emerging science that is relevant to the conservation and management of Pacific salmon via a series of Science Spotlights. These spotlights provide a…
Apparent conflicts of interest between Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s science advisory process must be resolved to save endangered wild salmon stocks. Does Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFOs) science advisory process have integrity when tasked with answering questions on salmon farming? If there is any hope of changing the trajectory of many iconic but endangered wild…
In early April, a new science research article was released in the journal Marine and Coastal Fisheries detailing the numbers and biomass of salmon in the North Pacific Ocean. While total abundance is at a record high, much of that is comprised of hatchery origin fish. Many wild populations across BC and the Pacific Coast…
On April 6th, the MCC submitted an 18-page document containing many recommendations for the 2018/19 north and south coast salmon Integrated Fishing and Management Plans (IFMPs). Our letter discusses issues around Chinook exploitation rates, Interior Fraser Steelhead, Southern Resident Killer Whales, the Commercial Salmon Allocation Framework, Fraser River sockeye, Interior Fraser Coho, the Strategic Framework…
On January 30th, 2018, the MCC sent a letter to Minister Dominic Leblanc detailing our concerns on Chinook salmon management with respect to the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs). The letter included a 12-page report with 4 main recommendations for Chinook and vessel management actions for 2018. These actions are consistent with the ‘immediate’ actions…
On January 9th, DFO released a letter inviting feedback on the Planning Priorities for the 2018 Integrated Fishing and Management Plans for Salmon, Northern and Southern BC. Key topics this year include: COSEWIC and SARA process Skeena River Chinook Skeena and Nass River Chinook Southern Resident Killer Whales Fraser River Chinook Interior Fraser River Steelhead…
(Globe and Mail, December 4th, 2017, by Ivan Semeniuk) For centuries, sockeye salmon have raced up British Columbia’s Fraser River to spawn in the millions, completing an astonishing life cycle that spans four years and thousands of kilometres. Now, scientists have determined that many populations of Fraser River sockeye are in such alarming decline that they…
The MCC Salmon Subcommittee provided feedback on DFO’s draft Wild Salmon Policy Implementation Plan. The following summary and recommendations are excerpts from the attached letter. In summary, there are three core deficiencies in the draft plan that need to be addressed: Conservation Priority – there is a lack of direct actions and focus on the…
In 2017, DFO released their Action Plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales. Later in 2017, another document was released – Southern Resident killer whale: A science-based review of recovery actions for three at-risk whale populations. The Southern Resident Killer Whales are listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act. Action Plan: 2017_Effectiveness-of-Recovery-Measures-for-SRKW…
(Business in Vancouver, February 27, 2017) A new study by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans suggests a link between the Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) and a disease of the heart in farmed Atlantic salmon from B.C. fish farms. The study, led by DFO scientist Kristina Miller, confirmed heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) disease in Atlantic…
Fisheries and Oceans is hosting a Public Open House on the development of a Wild Salmon Policy implementation plan between 6:30 and 8:30 pm in the Gallery Room at UBC Robson Square. The MCC has expressed concerns with the proposed approach that are detailed in our December 22, 2016 letter to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans…
After public consultation in the Fall of 2016, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has released their review report on changes to the Fisheries Act that were made in 2012. In this report, the Standing Committee makes 32 recommendations to the federal government based on the testimony and submissions of study participants. The full report…