Fishways in the Inland Waters of British Columbia 



Special Need for Providing Fishways in Connection with 



Water-power Developments in Order to Conserve 



the Salmon Industry 



THE fisheries of British Columbia, being not only one of the 

 chief provincial industries, but also an important source of 

 food supply, are worthy of the best efforts that can be exerted for 

 their conservation. 



In the carrying out of development works, whether for navigation, 

 irrigation or power, provision requires to be made for the upward 

 migration of the adult salmon for spawning purposes and for the down- 

 ward passage of the young fish to the sea. Besides the salmon, other 

 fish require consideration. 



The serious consequences to the fishing resources, resulting from 

 obstructions which prevent the free passage of salmon and other fish, 

 have been amply demonstrated. This subject is one so vital in its 

 bearing upon power development and yet one so frequently passed 

 over, that it is desirable to submit the subject to special discussion; 

 in fact, the whole question of the effect of obstructions upon the fishing 

 industry and the efficacy of fishways as a means of overcoming the 

 menace of such obstructions, requires thorough investigation. 



Practically all of the Pacific Coast streams of British Columbia 

 and their tributaries are annually frequented by vast numbers of 

 Pacific salmon, consequently the salmon fishing industry is one of the 

 most important interests to be safeguarded in the carrying out of 

 works which will materially affect the inland waterways. 



As indicating the importance of this industry, it may be cited 

 that in the big salmon year of 1909, canned salmon products to the 

 value of $7,750,000 were marketed. For the fiscal year ending March 

 31, 1914, which includes the 'big year' run of 1913, the marketed 

 product was valued at $10,243,670, while the total value of all fish 

 marketed was $13,891,398, or over 40 per cent of the total value of 

 the fishery products of Canada. The 1913 salmon pack comprised 

 over 1,350,000 cases — the largest output in the history of the industry. 

 In the twenty years prior to 1915 the canneries of British Columbia 

 produced an aggregate of over sixteen million cases of canned salmon — 

 each case containing 48 pounds of dressed fish — representing a catch 



