INFORMATION BULLETIN

2009ENV0032-000524 October 22, 2009

Ministry of Environment

 

THOMPSON RIVER STEELHEAD FISHERY OPENS TOMORROW

 

VICTORIA – As a result of a stock size forecast for Thompson River steelhead indicating that this year’s run is strong enough, Environment Minister Barry Penner has announced that a limited steelhead sport fishery will open on Friday, Oct. 23 and remain open until Dec. 31, 2009.

This is a catch and release sport fishery, which means all steelhead must be released.

Thompson steelhead, like most southern B.C. and Puget Sound steelhead stocks, have been in a period of low abundance since the late 1980s, mainly as a result of low survival rates during their ocean life phase. Conservation concerns resulted in fishery restrictions and closures.

This season, the forecasted stock size is considerably stronger, although still not as strong as it was prior to the late 1980s.

In 1989, the Thompson sport fishery was restricted to catch and release. Last year, the Thompson River was closed entirely to sport fishing for the first time following an in-season forecast indicating the run would be the lowest ever recorded. Subsequent spawning ground surveys confirmed that the in-season forecast was accurate.

The variation in ocean survival has been linked to cycles in climate and oceanographic conditions, but the mechanisms that cause survival variation remain a matter of scientific speculation and research.

 

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Contact:

Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 387-9745

 

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