|
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Angling Ethics
Exotic Alert
Atlantic Salmon
Ministry of Environment
encourages anglers to report the catch of Atlantic
salmon in lakes and streams near the west coast of
the province. Anglers are asked to pay special attention
to salmon with unusual spotting and eroded fins.
Atlantic salmon can be identified by:
- 8-11 anal fin rays (Pacific salmon
have 11-13 rays)
- very noticeable, large, black spots
on the gill cover (not common on native salmon)
- large scales and black spots on
the back
- may have very noticeably eroded
or worn fins from containment in net-pens
Report any captures or sightings of
Atlantic salmon to the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo,
250-756-7000 (collect).
The entire fish (including entrails)
should be saved, preferably frozen, for positive identification
and biological sampling, with as much information as possible
regarding date, location and method of capture.
Yellow Perch in Elk, Langford
and Shawnigan Lakes
This non-native species has been introduced
illegally into Elk, Langford and Shawnigan Lakes on Vancouver
Island.The stocks appear to be thriving despite competition
from established native trout and bass populations. Yellow
perch are highly adaptive and females produce thousands
of eggs for every inch of total length. Biologists are
concerned about the serious impact this species may have
on our native wild fish populations. We invite anglers
to enjoy fishing for this species (catch limit = 20 per
day), but remind you that moving live yellow perch - or
any other species for that matter - can do irreparable
harm to native fish populations and is an offense punishable
by a fine. If yellow perch are found in other lakes, please
report to regional fisheries staff in Nanaimo (250-751-3100).
|
