A fisherman who was caught on video clubbing salmon and kicking them back into a northern B.C. river has been suspended by the local First Nation.

A video of the incident surfaces on social media Monday evening, creating outrage over disrespect for wildlife.

The unidentified man can be seen catching a number of fish with a net along the Bulkley River in Witset (formerly Moricetown) before bringing them higher up shore and clubbing them with some kind of mallet.

But instead of picking them up, he can be seen kicking them back into the water.

The Office of the Wetsa国际传媒檚uwetsa国际传媒檈n said the man has been spoken to.

sa国际传媒淥ur leaders were alerted this morning of this incident and Office of the Wetsa国际传媒檚uwetsa国际传媒檈n staff along with a Hereditary Chief, spoke with the individual and have dealt with the matter in our traditional way, and we do not expect this matter to arise again,sa国际传媒� said the statement released by Chief Nasa国际传媒橫oks (John Ridsdale) yesterday.

Nasa国际传媒橫oks told the Interior News the process involved a meeting between himself, the individual, his chief and Wetsa国际传媒檚uwetsa国际传媒檈n Fisheries staff in which an explanation was demanded.

He said the panel found the explanation given, that the fisherman was in a hurry, was sa国际传媒渘ot soundsa国际传媒� and the man has been given instruction on respect for wildlife.

The fishery is currently focused on coho and chinook, Nasa国际传媒橫oks explained and the man may have misidentified pinks only to realize it after the fact.

sa国际传媒淚 hope you understand that this is a very rare occurrence,sa国际传媒� Nasa国际传媒橫oks said. sa国际传媒淲e are taught to respect all animals. We need everyone to be accountable.sa国际传媒�

As a further consequence, the individual in question will not be allowed to fish for the remainder of the year.

sa国际传媒淭he fisherman and his chief are deeply sorry, and hope this matter can be laid to rest,sa国际传媒� Nasa国际传媒橫oks said.

It may not be over, however. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service in Smithers said they received reports of the incident and an investigation has been opened.

The conservation service would not give any details on the specific case.

editor@interior-news.com
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