VICTORIA - The closure of the catch-and-release steelhead fishery on the Thompson River has been cancelled. Further testing of steelhead stocks indicates the number of steelhead in the river exceeds minimum conservation levels, allowing the fishery to remain open for the season. The closure was to have taken effect Nov. 17, 2003.

Early testing of steelhead levels by ministry staff indicated dangerously low returns, which prompted the ministry to advise a closure was imminent. This decision was revisited once further testing revealed that stocks were above the required threshold.

With the new information available, the ministry is confident that a sport fishery will not compromise the viability of steelhead in the Thompson River. The fishery will now remain open until December 31, 2003, as originally scheduled.

Fishery closures take place when stock levels are observed to be below sustainable levels. When this occurs the stock is in danger of disappearing. The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection takes minimum conservation levels for fish very seriously and will move quickly to ensure stock protection.

Ministry staff will continue to monitor the number of steelhead in the Thompson River. Future decisions regarding the duration of the fishing seasons will be based on science and consultation with all levels of government, stakeholder groups and First Nations.  

Contact:

Liz Bicknell
Communications Director
250 387-9973