Sockeye investigation heads to Victoria
Roszan Holmen
September 10, 2010
Victoria News
Despite an unexpected return of sockeye salmon to the Fraser River this year, a commission is continuing its investigation into the decline of the fish species.
The Cohen Commission, led by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen, comes to Victoria Sept. 16 to hear what the public has to say about the issue.
The commission seeks to gather input into securing a sustainable future for the Fraser River sockeye, threats to habitat and how these can be mitigated, and plans for an effective harvest.
The commission was appointed in 2009 after years of declining salmon stocks. This summer, 25 million salmon made its way back to the river, up from only 1.5 million last year.
Media reports it is the largest return since 1913, though scientists aren’t clear about the reasons.
“Sockeye have been in decline in the Fraser River for decades now,” said Carla Shore, spokesperson for the commission. “One good year is tremendous, but has that solved our problems? We don’t know that.”
Despite the record return, the commission’s manadate hasn’t changed, she added.
Source: Victoria News
Posted September 10th, 2010
