| High fish mortality rates possible after record-breaking B.C. floods | |
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Credit: Renee Coghill |
Several species of fish could suffer high mortality rates as a result of catastrophic flooding in southern B.C. last week, warn some experts and observers.
Pink salmon are at particular risk, said biologist Marvin Roseneau, as they spawn at the main stems of the now-swollen Fraser and Vedder/Chilliwack rivers. |
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Most of their eggs were laid in the fall and hidden in the gravel to incubate until spring hatching.
“The floods would have scoured the gravel out almost certainly,” he explained.
“Once the embryos are washed out of the gravel, predators eat them, they get smothered — it’s over for them.” |
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