THURSDAY July 17, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 57 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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RECORD A division of
Record Staff
Salmon fishing in waters off the Comox Valley is outstanding this year, but hot temperatures and dry conditions could mean lower stocks in future years.
PHOTO BY RENEE ANDOR
COMOX VALLEY PROJECT Watershed’s Don Chamberlain clutches an adult summer chinook in preparation for data gathering at Puntledge River Hatchery.
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Fishing great now, but... Renee Andor
SECOND
HOW COOL IS THAT?
High temperatures, low snowmelt, could spell disaster down the line “We’re having excellent fishing in our local waters this year,” said Comox Valley Record outdoors columnist Ralph Shaw, who is an avid fisherman. But, “I’m also very concerned with the warm weather … the warm water — salmon can’t handle it. “It just puts the temperature in the water beyond the limits that the fish can reproduce.” Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Puntledge River watershed enhancement manager Darcy Miller said if fish aren’t able to spawn or if juveniles die en route to the ocean, salmon stocks in the ocean could decrease in two to five years — as time to mature varies between salmon species. “It’s not unusual for the Comox Valley to experience warm summers,” said Miller. “But, this summer, because we’ve had such a dry winter, low snow pack, generally most of the systems in our area are going to be negatively impacted by that with long-term effects, (such as) mortality in juvenile fish, and therefore, reduced adult abundance (in future years).” As of Friday, the temperature in the Puntledge River was 18 degrees Celsius, which is stressful on the fish.
... see FISH ■ A5
Cumberland considering stance on tanker traffic Delegation asks council to follow lead of other communities Renee Andor Record Staff
Cumberland council will consider this month whether it wants to take a stance on proposals to increase tanker traffic in B.C. waters. Council heard Monday from a citizenled delegation requesting council adopt a
resolution stating its opposition to bitumen export pipeline proposals, which would lead to increased tanker traffic off B.C.’s coast. According to the proposed resolution, 35 B.C. community governments — including Kitimat, (which stands to gain the most from the Northern Gateway project), large municipalities like Vancouver and Victoria, and the Union of BC Municipalities and the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities — have already adopted similar resolutions.
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... see TANKERS ■ A5
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PHOTO BY SCOTT STANFIELD
Tubers and cliff divers took advantage of the heat Tuesday afternoon on the Puntledge River. Local rivers and lakes and ocean beaches have been teeming with people all month, as the hot weather continues to drive islanders to the water for relief.
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