Ministry of Environment
encourages anglers to report the catch of
Atlantic salmon[PDF 109KB]
in lakes and streams near the west coast of
the province. Anglers are asked to pay special attention
to salmon with unusual spotting and eroded fins.
Atlantic salmon can be identified by:
8-11 anal fin rays (Pacific salmon
have 11-13 rays)
very noticeable, large, black spots
on the gill cover (not common on native salmon)
large scales and black spots on
the back
may have very noticeably eroded
or worn fins from containment in net-pens
Report any captures or sightings of
Atlantic salmon to the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo,
250 756-7000 (collect).
The entire fish (including entrails)
should be saved, preferably frozen, for positive identification
and biological sampling, with as much information as possible
regarding date, location and method of capture.
Yellow Perch
(in Elk, Langford and Shawnigan Lakes)
This non-native species has been introduced
illegally into Elk, Langford and Shawnigan Lakes on Vancouver
Island. The stocks appear to be thriving despite competition
from established native trout and bass populations. Yellow
perch are highly adaptive and females produce thousands
of eggs for every inch of total length. Biologists are
concerned about the serious impact this species may have
on our native wild fish populations. We invite anglers
to enjoy fishing for this species (catch limit = 20 per
day), but remind you that moving live yellow perch – or
any other species for that matter – can do irreparable
harm to native fish populations and is an offense punishable
by a fine. If yellow perch are found in other lakes, please
report to regional fisheries staff in Nanaimo
(250 751-3100).
Stop the Alien Aquatic Invaders!
When you leave a body of water:
Remove any visible mud, plant parts, or other aquatic organisms before transporting equipment.
Drain water from equipment before transporting.
(motors, bilges, and transom wells)
Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with water.
(boats, trailers, anchors, fishing gear, boots, waders, dogs, etc.)
Never release plants, fish, or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.
Do not use parts of fish caught in one water body as bait elsewhere.
In addition:
Report illegal activities – If you see any activities associated
with the intentional or accidental movement of live fish and other aquatic organisms, please report these activities to
1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
Note: It is illegal to possess or move live fish without a permit.
It is also illegal to use live fish for bait or hold live fish in a “live well” on your boat.
For visitors to B.C. and residents returning from outside of B.C.:
Boating and fishing gear exposed to waters outside of
B.C. may transport alien diseases, parasites, or molluscs from
distant watersheds into the province. If there is a possibility
that your gear has been exposed to infested waters, please take
additional care to thoroughly cleanse and sterilize it as follows:
Chlorine (regular household) bleach is a very effective disinfectant
which can kill most organisms if used in the right concentrations.
To kill resistant disease spores found in the mud, use either (i) 50% solution (1 part chlorine to 1 part
water)–dip equipment into the solution or wipe or spray it on,
OR (ii) 10% solution (1 part chlorine to 9 parts water) and soak
your equipment for 10 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly to avoid
damaging gear. Alternatively, pour nearly boiling water over
your gear and allow it to cool. For gear and waders exposed
to waters containing New Zealand mud snails, freezing
for 8 hours or a 24-hour soak in 1% salt water solution is
also effective.
Examples of harmful alien species spreading in B.C.'s aquatic ecosystems:
Already here:
Yellow perch, bass, and other introduced sport fish
(see “Illegally
Introduced Alien Sport Fish” on page
13 for more information).
Carp, bullhead, and other exotic fish.
Eurasian water milfoil – spreads
quickly, degrading fish habitat and
impairing boating, swimming and fishing
activities; identified as a major
threat to sockeye in Cultus Lake.
Bullfrogs – proliferate quickly and
compete with or feed on native
amphibian species, birds, and fish;
implicated in the decline of some
native frog populations in southern
B.C.
On their way:
Whirling disease – a parasite that
causes deformities to young native trout. (Present in
Washington, Idaho and Montana)
New Zealand mudsnails – consume aquatic vegetation
that immature trout and other species depend on.
(Present in Washington, Idaho and Montana)
Zebra mussels – voracious filter feeders that can deplete the availability of microscopic organisms that other species depend on.
(Present in eastern North America)
Spiny water fleas – are predatory
and consume many types of native
zooplankton that occur within a lake.
(Present in the Great Lakes area)
The Province is committed to protecting
B.C.’s native fish and their
habitats from Aquatic Alien
Invaders. In addition, the Freshwater
Fisheries Society of B.C. and the
Habitat Conservation Trust Fu n d
have taken the lead in raising
awareness and preventing the introduction
and spread of alien species
in B.C. waters.
A video/DVD entitled “Stop the Alien Aquatic Invaders”
is available through the HCTF (1-800-387-9853).
Illegally Introduced Alien Sportfish
B.C.’s lakes and streams are home to over 80 species of freshwater or sea-run wild native fish, many of which support an impressive array of recreation angling opportunities for which the province is world-renowned. Our freshwaters are also home to non-native fish species that have been stocked in waters across the province to create and augment existing fisheries. Although some of these species have become established in areas where they were intentionally stocked, we are now seeing an expansion of non-native fish species into regions were they previously were not found. In particular, the southern and interior regions of B.C. have reported new occurrences of koi, carp, brown bullhead, yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish and northern pike. The unauthorized introduction of any non-native fish species poses a threat to B.C.’s wild and stocked fisheries. Live fish should not be introduced into any natural waters by anyone other than the fisheries agencies, especially in waterways with connections to other systems that allow fish to expand their range. While non-native species support important recreational fisheries in intended areas, the uncontrolled expansion of non-authorized species in B.C. may be at the expense of our other high-value fisheries. The impact may be irreversible in many cases and once a species becomes established may be impossible to eradicate.
Ministry Response
The Ministry of Environment is developing policy to address the issue of illegally introduced sport fish. Actions will focus on preventing further illegal activities and minimizing impacts where illegally introduced sport fish species already occur. Where possible, these species will be removed from waterbodies. Where new introductions are reported, strict measures to prevent expansion will be undertaken including possible fishing closures. The Ministry recognizes that some historically established fisheries for non-native species support popular recreational opportunities. In such instances, a risk assessment will weigh the conservation risks and recreational benefits.
You Can Help!
Protecting our native aquatic systems and the fisheries they support is a high priority and a responsibility that we all share. Report any suspicious activity related to the illegal transfer of live fish to the Conservation Officer Service (1-877-952-7277). It is ILLEGAL to release alien species or any other live fish into B.C.’s lakes or streams, an offence which holds a penalty of up to $100,000 for first time offenders, and/or a prison term of up to 12 months for a second offence. In addition, a REWARD of up to $20,000 is available to anyone providing information leading to the successful prosecution of individuals responsible for illegal activities under the provincial Wildlife Act, or the illegal transfer of alien fish species into B.C. waters. This reward is ongoing and is supplied by the B.C. Wildlife Federation, in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment.
Northern Pike (Illegally Introduced Alien in Southern B.C.)
Eurasian Water Milfoil Alert
Eurasian watermilfoil and other non-native
aquatic plants can create aquatic, environmental and economic
problems in our waters.
Important:
Thoroughly inspect your boat and trailer
and remove all aquatic plants before launching and after
leaving the water. New infestations can develop from even
small plant fragments.
Further information is available by contacting:
Environmental Protection
Ministry of Environment
102 Industrial Place
Penticton, B.C. V2A 7C8
Whirling Disease
Aquatic organisms can be accidentally moved from water
body to water body. Undesirable species, parasites and
diseases can upset the delicate balance of ecosystems
and cause irreversible damage to native fish populations
and valuable sport fisheries. Whirling Disease is caused
by a parasite which attacks and kills trout. It is the
suspected cause of recent trout population declines in
Montana. Whirling Disease is not yet detected in B.C.
How you can help:
Remove mud and plants from all of
your gear before leaving your fishing site.
Drain all water on site and dry
your boat and fishing equipment between locations.
Leave live fish, plants and other
aquatic animals where you found them.
Whirling Disease thrives in polluted and damaged habitats.
So let's not forget the bigger picture. Get involved locally
in protecting fish habitat. To obtain a fact sheet about
Whirling Disease, call 1-800-387-9853
