Ecological issues: Endangered species

The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) has recently been added to the blue (i.e. 'of special concern') species list under the BC Forest and Range Practices Act. This means that the Bull Trout and its habitat are protected under provincial law. Bull trout are a national and international concern, for their entire range (throughout Canada and the US) is at threat. The American Fisheries Society, for example, lists, "...fragmentation and disconnection of migratory corridors (associated with the operation of hydroelectric dams)" as a threat to bull trout in its scientific studies. (Fisheries Vol. 8, No. 28. Feb. 2004: pp.12-13.)

There is no doubt that the proposed Site C and its reservoir pose a serious threat to the migratory bull trout. Site C will prevent upstream spawning for bull trout wintering below the Peace River/Moberly River confluence. The fate of bull trout over-wintering above the Halfway River confluence (between the Peace Canyon and proposed Site C dams) is uncertain, since it is not known how these fish will fare once this area is flooded.

The bull trout is a very slow-growing species. Larger specimens collected for studies in this region are more than 15 years old. The Peace River watershed includes two subspecies: resident and migratory bull trout. The migratory bull trout can attain exceptional size; some collected in the Upper Halfway River watershed exceed 90cm in length.

International fisheries science conferences hosted by the "Friends of the Bull Trout" underline the importance of this species. We need to, too.