Unsustainable net fisheries are the largest source of mortality for steelhead bound for the Skeena.
The most damaging are Southeast Alaska’s interception fisheries, which kill millions of our migrating salmon and steelhead each year. Three of the worst steelhead returns to the Skeena have occurred in the past six years; the time to act is now. Nathan Cullen, B.C.’s Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship manages steelhead. He needs to stand up to the Alaskans. However, it’s not only Alaskan nets that intercept steelhead. Fisheries Minister Dianne LeBouthillier let gillnetters fish hard during Skeena steelhead’s conservation window. She needs to be held accountable.
This year, we are celebrating a good return of summer steelhead to the Skeena that we haven't seen in over 5 years. As there are challenges to face once they've made it to the rivers too, it's imperative that, in both good and bad years, steelhead have safe passage home.
Tell decision-makers to act before unsustainable net fisheries destroy the world’s greatest steelhead run.