A letter from the assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development was received by Parksville city council.
The assistant deputy minister, David Muter, penned the letter in response to Parksville’s show of support for a moratorium on recreational wolf hunting on Vancouver Island.
Council’s decision to show their support in a form of a letter was initially requested by the District of Oak Bay, as they asked for a moratorium on recreational wolf hunting until a scientific, data-driven and evidence-based study could be completed.
READ MORE: Parksville city council offers support for wolf-hunting moratorium on Vancouver Island
Muter’s letter, dated June 1, read that with current wolf trapping regulations, without any restriction on harvest numbers, there is no indication of a conservation concern, or that over-harvest is occurring. He continued to state that the province is currently working to ensure better harvest data is collected annually from hunters and trappers through regulatory changes.
“I can assure you that hunting and trapping opportunities in British Columbia are only provided where such activities are biologically sustainable. The B.C. government does not allow hunting or trapping that threatens the conservation of any species, nor does it condone unethical hunting or trapping practices,” wrote Muter. “Overall, wolf populations in the province remain healthy and are not threatened by legal hunting or trapping activities.”
Council voted unanimously in favour to receive the letter for information purposes, but no motion was made in regards to further action.