The federal Fisheries and Oceans minister is concerned about Steelhead returns.

DFO minister, and North Vancouver Liberal MP, Jonathan Wilkinson says he is very much aware of both the Thompson and Chilcotin rivers Steelhead returns teetering on the brink of extinction.

“Steelhead is probably the most striking and challenging case. A number of the runs of the Steelhead are at levels that are extremely small. The focus in terms of Steelhead is complex. The biggest issue with respect to Steelhead now is by-catch when it runs with salmon stock. Finding ways to address the Steelhead issue means you actually have to think about how they interact with Salmon.”

Wilkinson says the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has done, and will continue to do, a lot of work on how to address the by-catch issue so Steelhead can return to spawning grounds.

That said he adds Steelhead are not alone noting troubled Chinook Salmon stocks and the impact on Southern Resident Killer Whales is also a major concern.