Threats to the Fraser River hit a new all-time high in 2019.

The impact of slides, habitat damage, and plummeting fish stocks will require political will and decisive action, according to Mark Angelo, chair of the (ORC) of B.C.

91裸聊视频淭he Fraser River remains the heart and soul of our province but it91裸聊视频檚 also critically endangered,91裸聊视频� Angelo said in ORC91裸聊视频檚 annual year-end statement, putting the Fraser at the top of the province91裸聊视频檚 list of most endangered rivers, if not the country91裸聊视频檚.

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The impact of the Big Bar slide on fish passage, land-clearing, the potential extinction of Thompson-Chilcotin steelhead, non-selective gillnet fisheries, dismal salmon returns, climate change, and the need to restore damaged habitats, all play into it.

The impact of these issues on the river91裸聊视频檚 health exceed those in any year since the ORC began compiling data on the Fraser almost 40 years ago.

91裸聊视频淭he threats and pressures confronting the river can be addressed if there91裸聊视频檚 a will, but we must act quickly and decisively,91裸聊视频� Angelo warned.

Big Bar slide blocked fish passage for salmon returning to key Fraser River tributaries such as the Stuart, Quesnel and Chilco River systems. Many of the Fraser91裸聊视频檚 sockeye stocks are dependent on tributaries in the northern part of the river91裸聊视频檚 drainage as are many chinook populations.

Extensive land clearing in 91裸聊视频楬eart of the Fraser91裸聊视频� between Hope and Mission have taken out huge swaths of habitat essential to both sturgeon and salmon around key islands such as Herrling, Carey and Strawberry.

While efforts are underway to restore some of these key private lands by acquiring them, one of the most important things governments can do now is to designate the islands within the Heart of the Fraser as an 91裸聊视频渆cologically significant area,91裸聊视频� a new designation created under the Fisheries Act, Angelo stressed.

The Heart of the Fraser sustains almost 30 species of fish as well as B.C.91裸聊视频檚 largest single spawning run of salmon along with its finest sturgeon spawning habitat. It91裸聊视频檚 key rearing habitat for millions of young salmon, especially chinook which provide the primary food source for southern resident killer whales.

91裸聊视频淭he threats facing the Fraser River reached a new zenith this past year and yet, there is the potential to rectify many of these if the desire exists,91裸聊视频滱ngelo warned, as someone who first paddled the full length of the Fraser in 1975 and is both an Order of BC and Order of Canada recipient for his river conservation efforts.

91裸聊视频淭he events that have unfolded along the Heart of the Fraser have been disheartening,91裸聊视频� Angelo, internationally renowned river advocate and ORC Rivers Chair. 91裸聊视频淲e have to do more to protect what is Canada91裸聊视频檚 most important fish habitat.91裸聊视频�

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jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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