Listen Live
Listen Live
Listen Live

TNG calls for more to be done at Big Bar Slide

The Tsilhqot’in Nation is hoping emergency measures at the Big Bar Slide site will be escalated before a third season of salmon runs is disrupted.

“What we’re hoping to be done is to have better management to look at better outcomes,” says Xeni Gwet’in Chief Jimmy Lulua, “return in salmon stocks have been declining all over Canada.”

The Big Bar Landslide was discovered in June 2019. According to the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG), Fraser River and Chilko salmon and steelhead trout have been returning in the lowest number on record since then.

“We’ve never seen this type of number before in our history,” Lulua says, “we’ve always had strong numbers.”

The TNG says they have elected over the past two seasons not to exercise their Aboriginal Right to harvest salmon due to their stewardship responsibilities and commitment to conservation.

Recently, efforts have been made to work around the slide. A “fish ladder” has been built, and over 100 thousand fish fry is being released as well.

Lulua says it’s a good attempt, but the return in numbers, 100 thousand is a low number. “You have to look at the bycatch that happens, the people who harvest, the commercial fisheries, the forest fisheries, First Nations, and there’s international catch as well,” Lulua says, “There’s a lot of factors at play here that need to be better managed, or we’re going to lose our salmon, and that affects everyone.”

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation says they are calling on BC and Canada to take immediate action to protect these iconic fisheries and the Indigenous peoples that depend on them for their way of life, and that Canada must close all downstream and marine fisheries which pose any impacts to the Chilko stocks, especially in the case of Chinook, Sockeye and Steelhead Trout, to give these struggling runs every chance at survival.

Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Darin Bain
Darin Bain
Darin is a news reporter for Vista Radio's Prince George stations. His career started in the Cariboo in 2020, working as a News Reporter in both 100 Mile House and Williams Lake before making the move to Prince George in late 2021.

Continue Reading

ckbx Now playing play

cffm Now playing play

ckcq Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Williams Lake RCMP investigating fatal crash

A two vehicle collision over the weekend claimed a life.

a hot weekend in store in 100 mile house

An Annual Summertime event is about to roll into 100 Mile House.

Quesnel Ambassadors Showcase for Crowning Ceremony Tonight

The showcase for the 2025 Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program was held last night. The four candidates gave speeches and presentations on their skills and lives. The event was MC'd by the previous years Quesnel Ambassadors winners. The final decision on who will be the 2025 Quesnel Ambassador will be made tonight at 7 pm at Echen Hall.

Big Donation Gives a Big Step for Quesnel Search and Rescue

The Quesnel Search and Rescue received a $5,000 donation from the Quesnel Elks Lodge #298. The Director of Quesnel Search and Rescue says donation will be going towards advancing the Search and Rescue's technical rope rescue kit.

B.C. adds 5k jobs in June, led by gains in part-time work

British Columbia added 5,000 jobs in June but saw a dip in full-time employment, according to the latest jobs report from Statistics Canada. 
- Advertisement -