OTTAWA — Rising water temperatures and low stream levels in British Columbia’s Interior have sparked growing concerns for sockeye salmon, with another low return projected for Okanagan waters this fall. According to the Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance, the number of adult sockeye returning to spawn is expected to drop for the second consecutive year due to these challenging environmental factors.
Current estimates from the alliance indicate that only between 32,300 and 96,900 Okanagan sockeye will pass the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Of those, a mere 4,800 to 14,500 fish are expected to successfully reach the crucial spawning grounds above Osoyoos Lake. For comparison, these natural habitats have the capacity to support up to 205,500 spawning sockeye. To complete this journey, the salmon must migrate over 1,000 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, swimming upstream against heavy currents and navigating nine different hydroelectric dams before arriving in Syilx territory.
Last year, the vast majority of the run remained in the Columbia River to seek refuge in cooler waters. Given the low numbers anticipated for this upcoming season, authorities have announced that there will be no economic or recreational sockeye fishing this year. While alliance members are still permitted to harvest for personal and food needs, community members are being urged to take only what is absolutely necessary to help conserve future salmon returns.
