WHITEHORSE, YT, May 22, 2024
/CNW/ - Salmon are an essential species for healthy Pacific
ecosystems, and an important food source for Canadians and
surrounding wildlife. The species is also of great cultural
significance to Indigenous communities, and is essential for
recreational and commercial fisheries, as well as
tourism.
To ensure the protection and recovery of Yukon River Chinook
salmon, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game have signed a historic seven-year
agreement. Proportional to the severity of the declining
abundance, the agreement commits Canada and the
United States to suspend all commercial, recreational and
domestic fisheries for Canadian-origin Yukon River Chinook salmon
for one full lifecycle (seven years). This suspension will remain
in effect regardless of run abundance.
This agreement, negotiated in close collaboration with Yukon
First Nation Governments and the Salmon Sub-Committee, sets out
long-term principles for conservation and recovery of
Canadian-origin Chinook salmon populations in the Yukon River
watershed. In addition, it commits the parties to support
Traditional Knowledge research and scientific study to:
- examine reasons for decline,
- increase efforts to reduce bycatch of Yukon River Chinook
salmon in marine fisheries,
- provide opportunity to harvest a limited number of Chinook
salmon for ceremonial purposes when abundance permits,
- undertake habitat and stock restoration activities, and,
- develop a long-term rebuilding plan for the stock.
The agreement also acknowledges the need to address long-term
cumulative effects on Chinook salmon and their habitats, resulting
from mining and hydroelectric development, and explore other
factors influencing the condition and productivity of marine and
freshwater environments.
The Yukon River Chinook salmon agreement demonstrates that
cooperation is key to bringing about positive change. This
commitment is necessary to support long-term recovery and
rebuilding of Chinook in the Yukon River.
Quotes
"Chinook salmon are integral to the environment, culture and
fabric of Yukon and
interior/western Alaska.
Undertaking international action through cooperative measures in
both Canada and the United States is necessary to ensure we
are all working together to protect and restore this essential
species for future generations."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- Canadian-origin Chinook salmon inhabiting the Yukon River are
the northern-most, largest and longest migrating of their species
in the world.
- Since the 1980's, the population has declined to less than 10%
of its historical average of 150,000 adult salmon originating from
the Canadian portion of the watershed.
- In recent years less than one-third the minimum number of adult
Chinook salmon necessary to sustain the population have returned to
their spawning grounds in Canada.
- Fewer than 1 Chinook salmon per spawning adult is surviving to
maturity.
- Declines in abundance are attributed to a combination of
historical overfishing, increased prevalence of disease and
climate change and resulting effects on survival in marine and
freshwater environments.
- The Pacific Salmon Treaty, signed by Canada and the
United States in 1985, provides the framework through which
the two countries work together to conserve and manage Pacific
salmon. In 2002 the Yukon River Salmon Agreement was formally
included as Chapter 8 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
- In recognition of the historically and record low numbers of
Chinook salmon returning to the Canadian portion of the Yukon River
watershed in 2022 and 2023, and to provide protection for remaining
adult salmon migrating to their spawning grounds, the agreement
requires the closure of First Nation and Tribal subsistence
fisheries for Chinook salmon in years when there are fewer than
71,000 adult Chinook salmon projected to return to their Canadian
spawning grounds. This approach is consistent with and respects the
conservation priority objective defined in Chapter 16 of Yukon
First Nation Final Agreements.
- Pacific salmon are highly migratory. Fish originating in the
rivers of one country are often subject to the fishery directives
of another. A high degree of bilateral cooperation is required to
manage harvest in fisheries and ensure long-term
sustainability.
Associated links
- Alaska / Canada
Canadian-Origin Yukon River Chinook Salmon Seven Year
Agreement
- Pacific Salmon Treaty - Yukon River Salmon Agreement
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region