Correspondence from Esquimalt Anglers’ Association regarding Craigflower Creek
A request for permission to live-trap and remove otters that are preying on coho salmon at a fish counting fence.
November 07, 2022
Mayor and Council, Town of View Royal, 45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria, B.C., V9B 1A6
The Esquimalt Anglers’ Association have operated a fish counting fence on Craigflower Creek for more than three decades in the municipality of View Royal. This is to assess migrating coho salmon and to evaluate the effectiveness of enhancement efforts on the creek.
In recent years, and particularly this year, predation by otters at the site is devastating the few returning coho which have reached the fence location. One of our streamkeepers and View Royal resident, Bill Emile, has counted up to five otters eating freshly killed salmon on November 01.
The EAA is seeking a letter of permission from View Royal in order that they can be live trapped and removed from the site. Without removal, the otter problem will only continue to escalate. If this continues, we may be forced to open up the fence and thereby lose valuable escapement data.
The Esquimalt Anglers’ Association thanks View Royal in advance for any assistance they can provide to remedy the situation.
Yours truly,
Wayne Zaccarelli, Secretary EAA
Document Images
(1)