An area of the Upper Fraser Watershed known to be a popular poaching spot had been on the Spruce City Wildlife Association’s radar for over a year. On Wednesday, the organization announced it had successfully lobbied to deactivate it.
On their way to being considered ‘threatened’, illegal fishing of salmon, bull trout, and other salmonids had been targeted for illegal fishing at the location.
“We were looking into steps that we could logically take to make it difficult for poaching to take place at this location and I think we’re there,” explained SCWA President Steve Hamilton.
“It was a known poaching area and we took the steps with the Ministry of Transportation to make it difficult for poaching to take place there because our salmon stocks need the protection.
“They’ve cut in some big holes that you can’t drive a vehicle through, mounded up a bunch of dirt, and in the spring, we’re going to be replanting the whole area to try and return it to what it once was. There used to be a parking area and now that has been pulled out.”
Hamilton says no other poaching areas are currently on their radar. Anyone who knows of a spot in need of deactivation is encouraged to contact the SCWA.