An extremely busy recreational fishery for sockeye in Chilliwack this summer means lots of extra garbage is littering the riverbanks right now.
In response, river stewards in Chilliwack are gearing up for two big cleanups, Sept. 27 on the Fraser River and Sept. 28 on Chilliwack-Vedder River system.
The Fraser Valley Salmon Society recognized there has been a larger than normal influx of visitors to the fishing spots, hence the need for a special cleanup.
"There is lots of fishing line lying around, which is dangerous for birds and other wildlife," said FVSS member Chris Gadsden.
"We're also asking people with boats to show up to help us get people out to the gravel bars."
The Fraser cleanup is Saturday September 27 with everyone meeting at West End Auto Body on Airport Road from 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to be assigned river sections to tackle. Gravel bars like Gill Road and Peg Leg will see attention.
"The goal is removing as much garbage of as they can before the next Fraser River freshet comes and washes it all down to the Salish Sea."
Members of the Chilliwack-Vedder River Cleanup Coalition are simultaneously preparing for their largest river cleanup event of the year, coinciding with B.C. Rivers Day, on Sunday, Sept. 28, starting with registration at the Chwk Fish and Game Club Hall on Chilliwack Lake Road.
It's their 42nd cleanup since starting the organized river cleanups on the Vedder/Chilliwack more than a decade ago, and overall they've removed more than 90 tonnes of trash. Volunteers will gather at the fish and game club between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. to register. See more at www.cleanrivers.ca.