On Aug. 19, the provincial government placed a temporary protection order for the Salmon River watershed where over 200 Chinook salmon are spawning. There are also continuous drought conditions in the region, and “low streamflows,” which are threatening the fish’s survival.
Consequently, water will not be able to be used for commercial use such as lawns, fairways, and the irrigation of forage crops. Forage crops refer to alfalfa, grass for hay, and forage corn, all of which are water-intensive. On Aug. 19, 458 surface water and groundwater licenses and transitioning groundwater users were affected by the order. A previous protection order in the region occurred from July 28 to Aug. 8, after which the B.C. Wildlife Federation encouraged the provincial government to reinstate the protections.
The current order for Salmon Arm will be removed by Sept. 30, or sooner, as provincial staff continue to keep an eye on the situation. Under the Water Sustainability Act, water required for any firefighting can still be used. In the region, a similar order was placed on The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship issued this order under the Water Sustainability Act. While voluntary water conservation measures are encouraged and do reduce demand, they cannot sufficiently protect stream flow that fish and animals need.
A new protection order in the Thompson Okanagan for the Bessette Creek watershed went into effect on Aug 28. This order also aims to protect the Chinook salmon populations in the area and additionally restricts activities such as ore processing, well drilling, transportation, and utility corridor management. Farmers in need of aid have been encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Prior to the water protections, farmers in the region have questions concerning the long term planning that resulted in the river’s demise, and they are looking to the near future where there have been increasing concerns about water resources.
Currently, 29 populations of Chinook salmon are listed in Canada’s Species at Risk Public Registry. Most salmon nowadays struggle to stay over baseline numbers and are considered a “foundational species” in British Columbia’s ecosystem. In their underwater environments, young salmon serve as the main predator for insects. Chinook salmon specifically are prey for the killer whale, which is also considered critically endangered. Salmon are also prey to a variety of land and aquatic animals throughout their life, such as bears, wolves, and birds. The disappearance of salmon would also cause a decrease of several species of birds. Even in death, salmon provide their ecosystem with valuable nutrients, and continue to feed animals, insects, and the earth through their remains.
Additionally, wild salmon hold a significant place in the identities and ways of life for Indigenous communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, holding central parts in gatherings and ceremonies, and playing large roles in practices of gifting, trading, and sharing. For many communities they also function as a significant source of food.
The federal Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative works to restore susceptible salmon populations and habitats, promote sustainable fishing and work together with First Nations fisheries, conservation organisations, and provincial institutions towards salmon conservation. For those interested in learning more or supporting the conservation of wild salmon in B.C., organizations like Pacific Salmon Foundation, Wild Salmon Centre Canada, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society are doing work focused on protecting wild salmon.
