Vandals, thieves, target salmon returning to two Victoria-area streams

VICTORIA — A police investigation has begun after a successful salmon enhancement program was targeted in Greater Victoria. 

Colquitz Salmonid Stewardship Society president Chris Bos says it began last weekend when several people were seen fleeing from a salmon counting fence set up across Colquitz stream in Saanich.

The suspects had been using gaff hooks and fishing lines to catch the fish but ran as volunteers arrived Saturday to count the salmon that had reached the specialized fence.

Volunteers returning the next day discovered padlocks on the fish trap had been broken and salmon had been stolen.