Managing low returns

Jonathan Moore, an SFU assistant professor of biology, can comment on issues connected to conservationists’ call for a ban on Alaskan fisheries in the Skeena River. He can explain why precautionary measures are needed to protect small or low populations of fish that aren’t targeted but are caught incidentally in big fisheries. Currently, the continuation of Alaskan fisheries for pink and chum salmon, while Canada’s Department of Oceans and Fisheries has closed commercial and recreational fisheries for sockeye salmon on the Skeena, has conservationists concerned. The sockeye run is at a near record low.

Moore is studying Skeena salmon populations’ use of estuary habitats. He adds enormous industrial development is seriously threatening these estuaries.

Jonathan Moore, (today) 604.971.3722 (h), 778.782.9246 (w), jwmoore@sfu.ca