Environmental Trends 2002

Fish

Conservation Risk to Steelhead Stocks

SOURCES: Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, BC Fisheries, 2001. NOTES: Steelhead stocks are rated for conservation risk by using mathematical models extrapolated from well-studied populations. Few data are available for most populations.

Status and Trends in Steelhead Stocks

• Steelhead Trout can be used as an indicator of environmental quality over broad areas of coastal British Columbia because they are widely distributed and sensitive to environmental degradation.

• With respect to conservation risk, fish stocks are described as of 'conservation concern' (the stock is over fished) and of 'extreme conservation concern' (there is a probability the stocks could be extirpated).

• Forty-eight percent of Steelhead stocks (defined as discrete, relatively isolated populations) in British Columbia are healthy while 23% are of conservation concern and 29% are of extreme conservation concern.

• Recent declines in southern stocks of Steelhead have been attributed to environmental change rather than over-fishing as many of these populations are not subject to significant harvest from sport or commercial fisheries.

• Risks to Steelhead Trout include alteration and loss of habitat, altered flow and stream blockage as a result of water withdrawls or dams, and by-catch in commercial fisheries.

Why is it important?

• About 1/3 of fish species in British Columbia are on the provincial Red list (classified as Threatened or Endangered).

• Salmon and trout are an integral part of British Columbia’s culture, heritage and economy. Salmon have sustained aboriginal people for centuries and have supported commercial and recreational fisheries since the 1830s.

• Sea-going species such as salmon and Steelhead Trout bring essential marine-derived nutrients to British Columbia’s coastal forest and stream ecosystems, which benefits a wide range of species.

What is being done?

• Recovery initiatives directed at species-at-risk and at entire watersheds are being developed and implemented through partnerships that include all levels of government, first nations, stakeholders and industry.

• The Living Rivers Strategy will provide a science-based program to set priorities and co-ordinate watershed management activities, including a 10-year restoration program.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].