|
|
SQUAMISH – An independent scientific report commissioned by the Ministry of Environment has concluded that hatchery steelhead can be used to augment the wild population and help its recovery in the Cheakamus River, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.
“I believe all voices in the debate have legitimate concerns,” Penner said. “That’s why I asked staff for an independent scientific review to help guide my decision.”
At the request of the ministry,
Dr. Marc Labelle, an internationally respected fisheries biologist, reviewed the
scientific reports and data concerning the Cheakamus steelhead recovery plans
and concluded that natural habitat restoration combined with short-term hatchery
supplementation was a sound and viable option in this case.
The
CN spill last August killed almost half a million fish in 90 minutes, including
steelhead fry, parr and smolts, many of which were projected to mature and
return in 2009 and 2010. Local stakeholders advocated using hatchery-reared
steelhead to speed up the natural recovery process facilitated by habitat
enhancements proposed by the ministry.
Labelle supported the natural
recovery plan, but he concluded that each approach had its own merits and that
social and economic imperatives supported considering short-term hatchery
supplementation as well.
He also observed that short-term hatchery supplementation will
likely not jeopardize the genetic integrity of the Cheakamus steelhead
population. Efforts will now be made to collect 40 mature adults in the
Cheakamus River over the next few weeks. The progeny will be hatchery-reared to
produce at least 20,000 smolts, which will eventually augment the wild adult
spawners in 2009 and 2010.
The short-term hatchery supplementation option will be presented at a public meeting Thursday evening, April 27 in Squamish. During the meeting, feedback will be sought regarding the draft Recovery Plan for the entire ecosystem, including steelhead.
CN Rail is responsible for the costs associated with the rehabilitation of the Cheakamus River. The Ministry of Environment will be monitoring the recovery to completion.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director 250 387-9973 |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. | ||