Photo: Contributed

MP Mel Arnold

Mel Arnold is calling on the federal government to take action on BC fish stocks.

The MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap tabled a petition calling for the federal fisheries minister to develop a comprehensive recovery strategy and plan for Fraser River stocks.

The petition also calls on the minister to adjust Fraser River Chinook salmon management measures to allow public fishery anglers to access marked hatchery or abundant stocks of Chinook in any areas or times where it is known that stocks of concern are either minimally or not present at all.

According to a press release from Arnold, the federal government has increased restrictions on British Columbia’s public fishery over the past five years while rejecting proposals that would provide fishery access to healthy stocks, avoid stocks of concern and aid in recovery.

“We are encouraged to see Canadians from across the nation standing in solidarity with British Columbians in our efforts to conserve Pacific salmon and the public fishery,” said Warren Barker of the Public Fishery Alliance. “Our organization will continue to press the federal government for sustainable access and viable solutions that will restore and conserve our fishery for generations to come.”

The public fishery in British Columbia is a major economic driver for coastal communities. According to recent provincial studies, the public fishery annually contributes $1.1 billion to the Canadian economy and provides 9,000 jobs in B.C.

“The Trudeau government’s promises of restoring our Pacific salmon stocks have failed while successive fisheries ministers have chosen to ignore viable and proven proposals for restoring and conserving populations that continue to decline,” said Arnold.

“The support this petition received from coast-to-coast-to-coast demonstrates that our Pacific public fishery and salmon stocks are of national significance and that it is time for the federal government to pivot from their failed strategies and adopt proven solutions in a comprehensive recovery strategy to benefit salmon and fisheries.”