Anglers fear commercial flee will catch too many steelhead By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN SOME ANGLERS are reeling after learning the commercial sockeye fish- ery has opened despite projeclions it would not go ahead this year. “They. say — gillnetters fishing for sockeye near the mouth of the Skeena River are inadvertently catching too many steel- head before the fish have a chance to return to inland rivers and spawn. “I have heard that com- plaint that ‘you said you weren’t going to fish and now you're fishing,’” said Fisheries and Oceans Ca- nada’s (FOC) area chief of resource management David Ejinarson. - The outlook for the commercial fishery for this season didn’t anticipate a sockeye opening but Ei- narson said higher than anticipated returns trig- gered the opening July 1. - He added escapement level requirements that would permit an opening are outlined in the integra- ted fisheries management plan. As of late last weck 10 days of gillnet fishing had -been logged. Einarson said prior to the coho crunch in the - mid-1990s, an average of 23 days of gillnet fishing were done in a season, but he does not anticipate that many this year. _ But sport fishermen say the timing of the commer- cial fishery is threatening steelhead stocks. “The ‘peak of the steel- head returns is in the latter two weeks of July — right smack dab in the middle of the sockeye season and that’s always been a real concern,” said Andrew Williams, an avid steel- head fisherman and envir- onmentalist. He adds the location of the gillnet boats — at the ‘mouth of the Skeena River - is especially bad for Steelhead because that’s where high numbers of the fish at the beginning of their run are trying to make their way into the river, And he’s concerned by- catch numbers are not reli- able because the commer- cial fleet is entrusted to to report how many steelhead are getting caught in nets meant for sockeye. - “Pm just saying it’s probably not the best way te be reporting numbers, Williams said. “We need to look at the timing of the run, the tech- niques being used, the monitoring of the commer- cial fleet to ensure we . Minimize.its impact on the steelhead run,” Williams said, But fisheries officials say. they have taken steps ‘to address the issue of steelhead bycatch. “Over the last 15 years there have been numerous studies to evaluate net en- counters and the impacts,” - said spokesman Dave Pea- Physiotherapy & Rehebititation Centre® Injury / Pain Assessment and Management Neck and Back Pain Sports Injuries wee / ICBC Exercise Therapy / Consultations Pilates Neurological / Cardiorespiratory Conditians Acuputictura / Headaches Incontinence Ergonomic Assassments & Consultation Exercise Classes For An Appointment Coll: 638-1010 No Referrals Necessary 3472 Heatran St, Tartan, B.C, VEG 385 * A Physlothercipist Corporation cock. He added a steelhead technical working group made up of interested members of the Sport Fish Advisory Board, the pro- vince and FOC has also been established to look at these issues. “The one shortfall in our technical knowledge right now is we have not a “Nt, : done directed studies on steelhead release mortality rates,” Peacock said. He added there is no plan in place to do such research because of lack of money. “I want ta see DFO lake this bycatch issue more seriously and fund some research,” Williams said, The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - A7 CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES , # Emergency Care & X-Ray * Auto & Work Injury * Sports Injury * Footmaxx Orthotics '.. NO REFERRAL NECESSARY « Dr. R.D. Greenwood - 4635 Lazelle Ave., Terrace, B.C. 638-8165 : OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY Assorted varieties. Approx. 720 - 800 g. FIRST ONE - Combined varieties. Lucerne Yogourt: Assorted varieties, 175 g. | Sweet Navel Oranges Imported from South Africa. a A Great Aftemoon Snack! | wo per tray. LIMIT TWO FREE. *At regular price, get one of equal or lesser value for free. BUY ONE * Generic Ice Cream Assorted varieties. 4 Litre. | Stonchedge Farms Tortilla Wraps Assorted varieties. 10 Inch. Kraft Cheese Slices Sect vanities. 500 2. Process Cheese Frodaxt Bduds Bra Arregula pane. i UMITONEFREE- Combined tances. Hguit tent a. 2 Meua picks ate Pampers Baby Dry Diapers Box Pack. 5.8%. Sizes 3, 4 and 5. 116 - 144’s. Hat Price! fete | While Supplies Last AY: CLUB UE Purex Bathroom Bariett 1 ears Tissue eo Product of U.S.A. 30 Rolls. : . Extra Faney Grade, FIRST ONE, "x First of the Season! F ibe. "218k SATEWAY. CLUB PRICH VALU Pe mUY Cin SAVE Pork Loin Chops | 4 Thick, Valu Pack, Centre Cut. Regular or Safeway SELECT Franks Regular or All Beef. 450g. *At regular price, LIMIT TWO FREE + Combined varieties, Safeway i Hamburger Buns Or Hot Dog Buns. Package of &. Select vanetres, *At regular price, 7, Wal reserv8 the nah (atid i Inactal quanpiie Mustlabont at serbaky slay ister ast, aity Management (rou fin «t Superior Green Seedless Grapes Product of U.5.A.No. | Grade. Wonderful for a snack time treat.