Are escaped Atlantic salmon competing with native steelhead stocks for habitat and food?
Steelhead sometimes experience low survival rates in the wild. However, this is attributed to poor ocean survival, not in-stream competition with Atlantic salmon. The numbers of Atlantic salmon enumerated each year in B.C. rivers are extraordinarily small, particularly when compared to Pacific species such as steelhead. Ministry of Environment (MoE) staff conduct steelhead assessment surveys and are regular contributors to the Atlantic Salmon Watch assessment process. Should a significant population of Atlantic salmon be observed in a steelhead river – or any other river – Atlantic Salmon Watch is mandated to remove the Atlantic salmon to reduce the possibility of colonization.
