Prince George, B.C.- There are a number of things that have contributed to the decline of the Skeena sockeye population, including changing oceanic temperatures .  That’s the word from Greg Knox of the Skeena Wild Conservation Trust. 

Speaking on the Meisner program this morning   on 93.1 CFIS FM, Knox says another of the challenges is netting, which catches not only the healthy strong runs, but those that are from smaller endangered runs. Three of the five sub categories of Skeena sockeye are in serious trouble. 

Knox says governments have to get serious about protecting the fish’s habitat, if the sockeye are to survive. He says there should be very low harvest levels and there has to be very close scrutiny of any development to ensure the sockeye habitat isn’t damaged.

Knox is optimistic that the future of the sockeye population in the Skeena can be good, if there are some steps taken. Those steps include, reducing the commercial fishery interceptions and a reduction in the Alaskan take of the fish. “We’re going to work as hard as we can to ensure these stocks are there for future generations and people continue to care about sockeye salmon in this watershed.”