B.C. restricts fishing amid drought, heat

VANCOUVER – Fishing is being restricted throughout British Columbia amid drought conditions and hot temperatures.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has put out two releases announcing that the province is suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout most of the south coast and the Nicola region in the Interior.

“This is a process that is science-based, recommended by biologists, in order to protect and conserve” says Minister Steve Thomson.

READ MORE: Warm weather and drought-like conditions in B.C. impacting fish

The ministry says the ban is to protect fish stocks when they are vulnerable to low flows and high water temperatures.

“At Level 4, conditions are extremely dry. Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industry such as agriculture, wildlife, and fish stocks,” the ministry said in a statement.

“All water users, including those who access groundwater, are urged to maximize their water conservation efforts.”

Lakes and reservoirs are not included in the restrictions, and neither are some streams, such as the Chilliwack-Vedder, Harrison, Lillooet, Elaho and Cheakamus.

“At this time of the year, I’ve never seen the rivers closed here,” said Nick Basok of Chilliwack Dart & Tackle.

Fishing restrictions are already in place for Southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the south Okanagan and for the Horsefly River in the Cariboo region.

The Ministry says biologists are monitoring other streams across the province, and further bans could be put in place if conditions get worse.

– With files from Global News