December 12, 2020 - 8:34 AM Steelhead fish populations have reached critical levels in the Thompson and Chilcotin Rivers and a biologist saying that an increase in harbour and other seals may be the culprit. Rob Bison, a fish stock biologist with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources in Kamloops gave a live-streamed presentation on factors that could be contributing to the steelhead’s decline, Tuesday night, Dec. 8. The fish populations in the two rivers have been declining over the last 30-40 years, but it’s likely not their stream habitats that have led to the decline, he said. There were 62 fish counted in the Thompson River and 134 in the Chilcotin River this year, according to the B.C. Wildlife Federation.