Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach raises concerns over Federal Liberal approach to Steelhead fishery on the Skeena

Taylor Bachrach brought the topic of Northwest steelhead fishery on Tuesday, speaking during Question Period the Skeena-Bulkley River MP noted of the concerns of the Northwest sport sector on the government's measures

"Last year saw the lowest return of Skeena River Steelhead on record,  the vibrant steelhead industry supports dozens of family owned tourism businesses which were hard hit by the pandemic ... now livelihoods are on the line but I'm not sure that this government cares and the shared jurisdiction with the province means too often the Liberals think they're off the hook.

Now we need urgent action, but instead this Minister, seems content with business as usual can she share with this House, how is her approach to Skeena River steelhead this year going to be different than the failed approach of previous seasons"

In response to the MP's inquiry, Joyce Murray, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans noted of the conservation goals of her Office and how the decisions are based on science.

"I want to say that the conservation of our fish stocks is in everyone's interest and is a high priority for me and so is the ability of recreational and commercial fishers to fish. So that's why we make our decisions based on science. 

And virtually every year we go back out and we test and find what the abundance of the fisheries are and we make our decisions based on that. 

So I'll just assure the member that the interest of the harvesters are one's I hold at heart and the need to conserve and rebuild  abundance of diverse  fish stocks"

The full back and forth from the House of Commons can be viewed below:

As we head into the summer of 2022, there is still no indication that the Federal Fisheries Minister has any plans to make a trip to the North Coast and Northwest to gain a review and hear from stakeholders  of the situation facing the industry and the fish stocks first hand.

Something that might assist the Federal government towards forming policies that will assist those most impacted by their decisions on fisheries issues.

More notes on the Fishery on the North Coast can be reviewed here.

A look at Mr. Bachrach's work in the House of Commons is available here.