people, including biologists, know that you simply do

not overexert any living creature that‘is in its final

stages of pregnancy if you want it to survive and give

birth, From my ‘years of experience, I believe that

these’ people do not realize the tragedy they are

_ 4nflicting on this priceless, disappearing reserve,
' ‘simply in the name of "sport"!

_ With the exception of that strange little critter
the jack spring, when the rest of the salmon return
to their river, they all spawn and die. The steelhead
are somewhat different. Not only do they journey to
the spawning grounds of their birth, they can also go
‘back to the sea and return again to their spawning
efforts. It is difficult to know just how many. times a
mature steelhead (20 to 30 lbs.) has journeyed home,
spawned, and returned to the. sea. Yet, even with
their special method of multiple spawning and
reproduction, the steelhead still remain our fastest
disappearing salmonid. |

The finger of blame has been pointed at the
commercial fishery, which has been operating for
more than 100 years. With the large increase of more
effective rigging, they do harvest a large number of
steelhead, which is considered a low-grade commer-
cial fish. However, the fishing season for commercial
fishermen lasts only about 30 days. Also, the com-
mercial fishermen have no effect on the winter run of
steelhead to our rivers. (The winter run is also in a
sad decline.)

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Terrace Review — March 20, 1992

a,

_. Perhaps we should change our attitudes towards
thege steelhead befois'they’ reach ‘Heil ijawning
grounds. It has been: sickening ta: me ‘| observe
sportsman (many experts in the art of pngling) using
the method of hook and release on the steelhead in
their final stages of pregnancy. This method will
“play or fight" the fish to the point of exhaustion,
belly up and gasping. The hook is then removed one
way or the other, and the fish is kicked back into the
river, Little do they realize the harm and damage
that the hook causes to the muscles, rierve and
tongue. The slightest nick in the gills can result in
the fish bleeding to death. Many of us locals who
have found a dead or gasping steelhead downstream
from a “hook and release” fisherman, are disgusted

J
a

‘and no longer fish in the Copper River. The sad part

ss that we will never know how many of these
exhausted fish will recuperate to continue: the
upstream spawning to their spawning grounds or
perish in their damaged condition.

Many years age, in my ignorance,. I was also

guilty of this abuse to the steelhead. However,

through experience and observation, I soon realized
the harm I was doing to these beautiful fish by my
shameful and disrespectful attitude. I feel that we
have subjected this priceless heritage of steelhead to
enough abuse. We need not legalize or even encour-
age more of the same treatment, of the same waste-
ful attitude, to the remnants. a
I can’t help but wonder how our grandchildren
will feel about us, the custodians of their heritage.
Victor Maurice Bryant,
_ Terrace.

‘LEAP YEAR SUCCESS

To the Editor; .

The Terrace Science Fair would like to thank all
the people who made this year’s fair. such a success.
There were over 250 children’s exhibits displayed at
Caledonia gymnasium on this Leap Year Fair!

Many people helped to judge the exhibits. Rib-
bons and prizes were given to first, second and third
place winners. Throughout the day, children partici-
pated in interesting contests such as the foil boat
contest, the paper airplane contest, straw and block
tower building, along with the scavenger hunt. Many
people donated their time and efforts to help make a
wonderful fair.

Special thanks to ali the parents, teachers,
administrators, the school maintenance staff and
school trustees who volunteer their time to help
students enjoy the art of learning through discovery.

Thanks to the Terrace District Teachers’ Union
(I.D.T.U.) and School District #88, along with com-
munity groups and schools for their contributions.

Nancy Bose, organizer,
Terrace Science Fair

2 FOR PORNTI STEUER LG YE SEP oR EERO