Spawning salmon swiped

Photo: The Canadian Press

A police investigation has begun after a successful salmon enhancement program was targeted in Greater Victoria.

Colquitz Salmonid Stewardship Society president Chris Bos says it began last weekend when several people were seen fleeing from a salmon counting fence set up across Colquitz stream in Saanich.

The suspects had been using gaff hooks and fishing lines to catch the fish but ran as volunteers arrived Saturday to count the salmon that had reached the specialized fence.

Volunteers returning the next day discovered padlocks on the fish trap had been broken and salmon had been stolen.

Bos says the two incidents are disheartening because the number of fish returning to the rehabilitated Colquitz and Craigflower streams had reached 330 this year, well above the 12-year-average of 280 fish.

He says the enhancement projects are under the control of the Department of Fisheries, and it is illegal to fish from, or vandalize the fish counting equipment.