MP Taylor Bachrach seeks emergency action from Federal Government towards Alaska catchment of BC bound salmon

The MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley has used the first week back for Parliament to take the issue of BC bound salmon being intercepted by the Alaska Fishery, raising the issue as part of this morning's Members Statements perdio 

Mr Bachrach speaking to his frequent theme of the serious situation facing Wild Salmon and Steelhead in the Northwest and on the North Coast cited the recent study from Skeena Wild as part of his statement in the House and call for action from Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray.

"A recent study shows Alaska's fisheries are catching hundreds of thousands of fish bound for our rivers, Alaskans have become the biggest harvesters of many BC wild salmon populations even while we see our stocks decline ... the Pacific Salmon Treaty was negotiated during times of relative  abundance but now it's failing to deliver on its key mandate of equity and conservation and it isn't up for renewal until 2028"

As part of his review of the situation  Bachrach also made note of the impact of the American catch on those who are part of the fishery on Northwest and North Coast waters.

"Last year BC's commercial fleet was tied up at the dock, Sports fisheries were closed and many First Nations couldn't catch their Food Fish. That same year, Southeast Alaska caught 650,000 Canadian Sockeye salmon, 470,000 of those were heading for the Skeena River alone. And that's just Sockeye Mr. Speaker. The same story holds true for Chum, Pink Coho, Chinook and Steelhead"

Towards action The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP called for the Federal Government to seek out emergency emergency negotiations with the Americans to address an issue that he stated could not wait until 2028.

His presentation to the house can be viewed below:

In mid January, we took a look at that Study from  SkeenaWild and the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, which put its focus on an area of the Southeast Alaska Fishery known as District 104. 

More on that study can be reviewed here.

Further notes on issues of the Fishery can be explored here.

Items of interest from MP Bachrach's work in the House is available here.