Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen says his recent telephone briefing with the North Coast DFO senior managers about the 2018-19 draft salmon harvest plans has him worried.
Cullen says he pressed DFO to impose sharp restrictions on large commercial fishing lodges, but says he’s concerned that locals on the rivers will bear the brunt of harvest reductions.
Cullen says he’s concerned that those types of measures could lead to conflict between user groups on the river.
Projected record low sockeye and chinook returns this season have DFO considering sweeping closures.
Cullen says he has asked DFO to pursue management strategies to rebuild depleted stocks and release 2018 harvest numbers as soon as possible.
