Headline: Mysterious Landslide Slows Down Vital Salmon Migration Up Chilcotin River
In a puzzling turn of events, a recently reported landslide into the Chilcotin River has caused a disturbance in the annual salmon migration up the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers. Preliminary monitoring efforts indicate that the number of salmon heading upstream in August has significantly decreased, raising concerns about the impact on their reproductive journey.
“The landslide has already played a role in impeding the migration,” shared Scott Hinch, a salmon ecologist at the University of British Columbia. “The crucial question now is whether this obstruction will prevent these fish from successfully reaching their destination in the Chilcotin.”
Recent updates from the Pacific Salmon Commission have shown a stark difference in the expected and observed numbers of sockeye salmon upstream of the slide. With only around 500 sockeye spotted—far fewer than the anticipated 2,664 under normal migration conditions—the situation is becoming increasingly worrying.
The landslide, which occurred near Farwell Canyon at the end of July, has created physical barriers that are hindering the salmon’s passage. Moreover, the debris in the river post-landslide could be disorienting for the fish, potentially jeopardizing their ability to navigate to Chilko Lake where they typically spawn.
As concerns grow, the Tŝilhqot’in National Government has taken action to protect the at-risk salmon runs by implementing a temporary fishing hiatus. Jeff Grout from the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans emphasized that new monitoring tools have been put in place to assess the situation. However, the impact of the landslide remains unclear, as salmon are yet to pass through the affected area in significant numbers.
Despite the challenges faced by this year’s salmon run, experts remain cautiously optimistic. Hinch commented on the salmon’s adaptability to overcome obstacles, drawing hope from the resilience of previous generations.
With the fate of around 117,000 sockeye attempting the trek to Chilko Lake this summer hanging in the balance, the upcoming days will be critical in determining the overall effect of the landslide on the salmon population. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
For inquiries, contact CBC News reporter/editor Isaac Phan Nay at isaac.phan.nay@cbc.ca. Audience Relations can be reached at 1-866-306-4636 for more information on CBC’s accessibility initiatives.
In a puzzling turn of events, a recently reported landslide into the Chilcotin River has caused a disturbance in the annual salmon migration up the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers. Preliminary monitoring efforts indicate that the number of salmon heading upstream in August has significantly decreased, raising concerns about the impact on their reproductive journey.
“The landslide has already played a role in impeding the migration,” shared Scott Hinch, a salmon ecologist at the University of British Columbia. “The crucial question now is whether this obstruction will prevent these fish from successfully reaching their destination in the Chilcotin.”
Recent updates from the Pacific Salmon Commission have shown a stark difference in the expected and observed numbers of sockeye salmon upstream of the slide. With only around 500 sockeye spotted—far fewer than the anticipated 2,664 under normal migration conditions—the situation is becoming increasingly worrying.
The landslide, which occurred near Farwell Canyon at the end of July, has created physical barriers that are hindering the salmon’s passage. Moreover, the debris in the river post-landslide could be disorienting for the fish, potentially jeopardizing their ability to navigate to Chilko Lake where they typically spawn.
As concerns grow, the Tŝilhqot’in National Government has taken action to protect the at-risk salmon runs by implementing a temporary fishing hiatus. Jeff Grout from the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans emphasized that new monitoring tools have been put in place to assess the situation. However, the impact of the landslide remains unclear, as salmon are yet to pass through the affected area in significant numbers.
Despite the challenges faced by this year’s salmon run, experts remain cautiously optimistic. Hinch commented on the salmon’s adaptability to overcome obstacles, drawing hope from the resilience of previous generations.
With the fate of around 117,000 sockeye attempting the trek to Chilko Lake this summer hanging in the balance, the upcoming days will be critical in determining the overall effect of the landslide on the salmon population. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
For inquiries, contact CBC News reporter/editor Isaac Phan Nay at isaac.phan.nay@cbc.ca. Audience Relations can be reached at 1-866-306-4636 for more information on CBC’s accessibility initiatives.
