How the Salmon Run: Streamkeepers weigh in on latest salmon returns

By Kim Paulley, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The latest salmon returns are in for 2023 and two streamkeepers from the region have made observations about the different populations. A great year for Pink Salmon was the good news. Poor returns for Chum were noted by both streamkeepers.

Janet Gemmel standing befide Morrison Creek – Photo by Kim Paulley

Janet Gemmell, a streamkeeper, president of Courtenays Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, and a former resident of Carrington Bay on Cortes island, spoke with CKTZ about the Comox Valley.

Gemmell highlighted why Morrison Creek is a very important salmon habitat and also spoke about her recent visit to Carrington Bay this past summer where she spotted Coho fry.

CKTZ also caught up with Christine Robinson, Streamkeeper for Friends of Cortes Island. Robinson provided data for this year’s Cortes Chum Run and reflected on Gemmell’s Coho-spotting in Carrington Bay.

Two Coho fry swim on either side pf the murky bottomed James Creek in Grandmother Grove, Carrington Bay, Cortes Island – Photo by Kim Paulley

For more information on the state of salmon, go to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s website for further information.

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