Local lodges and businesses are calling on the Province and DFO to close commercial Steelhead fisheries in the Skeena Region.
Recent Steelhead returns have been low, and despite being in a critical migration period, commercial net fisheries remain unrestricted.
Even with the use of selective gillnets, it is estimated that the fisheries indiscriminately catch and kill between 20 to 40 percent of Steelhead.
Now, the Upper Skeena Angling Guides Association is concerned that the lack of government action will leave lodges on the hook for conservation.
Vice Chair Billy Labonte says that local tourism business often go unheard in matters of conservation, despite generating $1.1 billion in profits in 2019.
They are calling for a more holistic approach to management, implementation of more selective gear, and a seat at the decision-making table for upstream stakeholders.
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