Sockeye food, recreational fisheries banned for Skeena River First Nations

TERRACE, B.C. – Sockeye salmon returns have plunged to historic lows in the Skeena River system of northwestern British Columbia, forcing drastic, never-before imposed, fishing closures.

Commercial and non-native recreational fisheries were shut down on the river last month but, for the first time ever, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has closed First Nations food and recreational fisheries on the waterway.

Closures extend from the Pacific Ocean, up the Skeena River and its tributaries, while recreational fishing is also restricted in Babine River and Babine Lake, east of Smithers.

That closure angers the Lake Babine Nations, who have issued a release noting non-native recreational sockeye fishing continues in one section of the huge lake, and the closure to the aboriginal fishery amounts to a violation of First Nations constitutional rights.

Department of Fisheries North Coast area director Mel Kotyk estimates only 395,000 sockeye will return to the Skeena system this year, down from initial estimates of up to 800,000 fish.

He says the management plan for the river requires a total closure if counts fall below 400,000 and he blames conditions at sea for the poor returns, but doubts those conditions will affect next year’s sockeye spawning cycle. (CFTK)