The Federal Minister for Fisheries and Oceans says the rock slide near Big Bar, west of Clinton, is the most pressing issue for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at this time.
Jonathan Wilkinson is echoing concerns previous raised by DFO officials. They estimate that about 700 salmon have passed through the site in the past two weeks.
And Wilkinson says that is good news. However,
“That is a relatively small number in the context on the number of fish that are trying to pass,” he said. “This is a threat certainly for First Nations who rely on the salmon for their food and for ceremonial purposes upstream, but it’s also a threat for commercial and recreational fisheries.”
Wilkinson adds the Fraser River is one of the most important salmon bearing rivers in the province with a number of different salmon runs, and the feds, the province and local First Nations are all working on a solution.
“And I would just say that we are looking at all options including whether we can dislodge the sediment that is there without causing more problems,” Wilkinson added. “The banks are not particularly stable, and we also have to be cognizant of human health and safety issues.”
“We are looking at other options including capturing as many fish as we can and trucking them above, but we haven’t made any firm decisions.”
An incident command post has now been set up in Lillooet, and crews will take action if not enough fish are getting through the slide site.
Meanwhile, officials say they are working on making information about the efforts to remedy the issue readily available.
Access to the site has been mostly by helicopter, and Fish and Aquatic Habitat Director with the province Jennifer Davis says information will be made available online and by email.
“We’re creating a web page on the Emergency Management BC website,” she said in a conference call. “Regular updates will be posted to the page including photos and other information whatever is possible. The second piece is around email updates at – bigbarislandslidein@gov.bc.ca”
Davis adds there are no scheduled briefings planned next week, but those updates will be set up as well.
