Canada, Alaska sign historic deal to protect Yukon River Chinook salmon

Yukon – 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.