Kokish Reporting--The Words Out (In Advance)

Two Wild Summer Runs Return--Both Male

Reduce. Abuse. Recycle.


As in reduce habitat, abuse the fishery, and hopefully recycle the government that approved this project.  Check out the articles in The Globe and Mail and The Times Colonist about the imminent approval (insider information?) and eventually approval of the Kokish River power project by The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).


Two More, No More


When the history of dams on wild steelhead, trout and salmon runs is so horrible, this project should never have been approved.  Take a dammed summer run steelhead river like the Puntledge, which eventually had a season where two wild summer run steelhead returned--both of which were male.  We're slowly moving toward endangerment and extinction of these wild fish stocks working from south to north.  The US endangered and extinct lists for wild stocks is huge compared to Canada's and now Canada is apparently looking to catch up.  I have little doubt we'll move from three to two healthy summer run steelhead rivers on Vancouver Island's east coast given this new power project approval.  Sad but true.

Run of River and Freedom of Information

Here's a link to an article publicizing the results of Run of River power based on information obtained via a Freedom of Information request.  To summarize, Run of River compromises fish and fish habitat.  Who could've predicted that?  Hundreds of dead fish on multiple occasions is unacceptable.  Let's hope DFO has the gumption to nix all future Run of River projects in anadromous fish habitat.  Crashing wild fish numbers and artificially enhanced numbers via hatchery production are both wrong.  Fix the problem, not the symptoms.

Please email the contacts listed in my previous post before the DFO makes their decision on the Kokish River.  Their decision is due to come down any day so write fast.