Fisheries Minister Gail Shea warned Fraser sockeye salmon in crisis

Steve Mertl
September 11, 2009
The Canadian Press

A First Nations leader says he's concerned federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea doesn't grasp the crisis situation facing Fraser River sockeye salmon.

Grand Chief Doug Kelly, who co-chairs the First Nations Fisheries Council, attended a meeting Friday with Shea and the disappearance of millions of sockeye from this year's run was discussed.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans estimated about 10.5 million sockeye would return to the Fraser River this year but so far, only a tenth that number has shown up.

The huge shortfall has forced the closure of commercial sockeye fisheries and hamstrung aboriginal fisheries among Fraser River-based First Nations that depend on sockeye to supplement their diet over the winter, said Kelly.

"We need that food and so I'm afraid that people are going to go hungry this winter," he said.

Friday's meeting included B.C. Tories Gary Lunn, the federal sports minister, and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP Randy Kamp, environmentalists, fishing groups and First Nations such as Kelly.

Shea and the other government representatives listened to the briefings and asked a few questions, Kelly said, but gave no indication they were prepared to act.