Canada: Trout cover-up scandal shocks British Columbia

The Fisheries Authority of Canada is under fire – and the accusations are heavy from the point of view of anglers and conservationists: the National Fisheries Authority (DFO) (Fishing and Oceans Canada) is said to have deliberately sent scientists about the endangered state of steelhead trout. Knowledge is withheld. public. One of the biggest critics is Jesse Zeman, executive director of the BC Wildlife Federation. They claim the government has long-standing scientific advice that clearly shows that the steelhead trout (a subspecies of the rainbow trout) is an endangered species in British Columbia. Experts came to the unambiguous conclusion that fishing had to be banned in order to save the species from extinction. Specifically, it is about stocks in the Thompson River, in the Chilcotine River and in the famous Fraser River.

Number of Steelheads at historic lows

Conservation groups and experts have been warning of the potential extinction of steelheads for years. The British Columbia Forest Department’s annual report states that trout populations in the three bodies of water are at their lowest ever level. According to this, only 104 animals in the Thompson River and 19 in the Chilcotin River should reach their spawning grounds. Serious condition. In addition, conservationists draw attention to the precarious status of steelheads in the Fraser River – where they are also said to be threatened with extinction.

According to Jesse Zeman, all of this was known in the ministry – and yet did not function. The DFO vehemently denied the allegations: “Of course, the DFO is very eager to provide information as part of our scientific process,” says Andrew Thompson in a television interview with CBC.

“There is a problem with transparency”

Zeman was denied access to the documents. A request on their part for publication of the results and related assessment of recovery potential was rejected. They now have to sue the government to see the documents. “We know that DFOs can do good science, but we also know that DFOs’ science is not shown to the public,” he said on the CBC show Daybreak South, going a step further: “There is a real concern about transparency. about. “

Zeman is supported by Eric Taylor, a professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He’s spent decades researching the evolution of B.C.’s steelhead population—and comes to the same conclusion as Zeman: “Technically, this is actually scientific hoax. If the report isn’t completely clean, honest, and impeccable, then The reliability of the entire process will be compromised.

There are some important questions the DFO will have to ask himself in the coming weeks and months. However, one thing is certain: If Zeman wins in the process, the report will have to be published. Then the day could be tough for the National Fisheries Authority.

Source: CBC News