BC First Nations face salmon shortage

Although the Department of Fisheries and Oceans can't accurately predict how many fish will return to their spawning grounds, a best-case scenario might support only a limited commercial fishing operation at the mouth of the river.

But a worst-case scenario will fall short of supplying the dietary needs of people who depend on salmon for food. Warmer water and later runs means that fewer salmon actually reach their spawning destinations on the lakes and tributaries of the mid to upper Fraser.

This doesn't bode well for people there who depend on salmon for food, or for the health of future salmon populations.

Although talks are underway for a catch-sharing program amongst 93 First Nations, some say there simply isn't enough to go around.

As far as Baker is concerned, the Stellat'en people are already in crisis. They depend on two runs, and last year, she says, only 21 salmon were caught in a community of roughly 500 people.

In August, the DFO approached First Nations fisheries to come up with a catch-sharing plan. Right now, 93 nations representing 74,000 people are involved in talks -- but Baker and others are skeptical.

"I've been working since '87 as a fisheries technician. I've seen the decline with my own eyes....I know they want us to share, but to me, there isn't enough to go around."

Baker says there are better management techniques for determining how many salmon should be harvested and how many should be released. The Stellat-en worked with the DFO and the Rivershed Society of B.C. to create a weir harvesting program.