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By Veronica Beltran

NStQ Leadership calls on DFO to close fisheries in Fraser River due to declining numbers of sockeye salmon

Aug 27, 2020 | 4:25 PM

SECWEPEMCULEW, WILLIAMS LAKE– The leadership of the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (NStQ), which includes the Chiefs and Councilors from each of the four Nations, is calling for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to issue an Emergency Order closing all Fisheries in the Fraser River and associated systems.

According to a release from the NStQ, the low returns of salmon to the Fraser River systems have resulted in a fisheries closure, in effect since July 6. Since that time, the NStQ says that there have been numerous fish being removed from the system. “Leaders of other Nations have made public statements encouraging further damage to the already fragile salmon run. This has placed fishers and Fishery officers in conflict,” reads a release from the NStQ.

“Leadership is also calling for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to revise its policies regarding commercial fisheries and anglers. The systemic racism embedded in these practices has been ongoing since the inception of DFO;and has meant lack of sustainable food harvest for First Nations communities along the Fraser River.”–Release from NStQ

“This past year has been an immense challenge for our people,” says NStQ Leadership Spokesperson, Chief Patrick Harry. “Stewardship is a traditional practice that has served us for centuries, and now should be the focus of everything we do for the fishery. At the highest level, this means a unilateral, non-partisan declaration that the fishery has collapsed. The DFO and the federal minister responsible, Bernadette Jordan, need to issue an emergency order and close the fishery before more damage is done,” adds Chief Harry.

The release by the NStQ says that the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People gives First Nations people the right to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of sustenance and development, as well as the right to participate in decision making in matters which would affect their rights.

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“The DFO has estimated that the number of sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River system this season at 283,000. The number is the lowest ever reported and is far below the pre-season and early season estimates. With strong conservation measures, there may be the possibility of maintaining a small spawning population.”–Release from NStQ

“The NStQ communities strongly oppose any fishing in a salmon crisis. If the governments of BC and Canada are serious about their commitment to First Nations, then fishing in the Fraser River should be closed for the benefit of both indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians,” adds the release.

The Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw is comprised of the four Secwepemc communities Tsq’escen’ (Canim Lake); T’exelc (Williams Lake); Stswecem’c – Xgat’tem (Dog Creek – Canoe Creek); and Xat’sull – Cmetem (Soda Creek – Deep Creek). The Nations of the NStQ are in the 5 th stage of treaty negotiations with the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada.