Fish and Wildlife Branch

Cheakamus River Reports

Evaluation of Alternative Recovery Strategies for the Cheakamus River, Final Report, April 30, 2006 (pdf) - Dr. Marc Labelle was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment to review options for recovery of steelhead that were killed by the spill of caustic soda into the Cheakamus River on August 5, 2005. Labelle recommends a blended approach to recovery using both natural and hatchery stock.

The Case for Wild Steelhead Recovery Without Artificial Fish Culture Intervention (pdf)
Under the direction and policy of B.C.’s Ministry of Environment, hatcheries generate smolts for release. The resultant angling opportunities are of high value to the provincial economy. The use of hatchery steelhead and catch and release of wild steelhead provides angling benefits, but may also impose risks to wild stocks.

For more information on the Cheakamus River CN Rail spill impact and recovery, see the www.certc.ca website.