Steelhead Bycatch and Mortalities in the Commercial Skeena Net Fisheries of British Columbia from Observer Data: 1989 to 2009
By-catch of steelhead is a longstanding issue of concern in the Skeena, and in recent years a number of measures have been taken to reduce the impact of net fisheries on non-target species. For this project, JO Thomas and Associates have compiled and summarized a number of observer/monitoring programs that were conducted in the commercial approach fisheries to the Skeena River from 1989 to 2009, to improve understanding of commercial by-catch of Skeena steelhead. The report compares steelhead interception and condition at capture and release on the basis of year, target species (sockeye: pink) and fishing gear type. Annual estimates of total steelhead by-catch are presented.
- project objectives
- Improve understanding of commercial by-catch of Skeena steelhead from a review of past observer programs.
- related documents
- project timeline
- July 29, 2009
to March 31, 2010 - project lead
- JO Thomas & Associates
- subjects
- by-catch, commercial fishery
- location
- North Coast, Skeena River Watershed
- related species
- pink, sockeye, steelhead