In 1994, Canada harvested 90,000 tones of wild Pacific salmon. In 2000, 12,000 tonnes were caught, a number that increased only slightly in 2001 and 2002. Part of this extraordinary decline is a result of unfavourable ocean conditions in the late 1990s, which resulted in far fewer salmon returning to spawn.

Another factor is the new, precautionary approach by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to salmon management, which has brought major change to where, when and how salmon are harvested. The salmon fleet has been reduced by about half; new selective fishing techniques have been introduced; and fishing is strictly limited by time and area to ensure conservation goals are met. These changes are continuing: DFO is currently revising its draft Wild Salmon Policy which provides guidelines for conserving the long-term viability of Pacific salmon populations and their natural habitat.

Pacific salmon are complex creatures. Not surprisingly, salmon management is a complex business, too. Salmon managers must take into account the variations and fluctuations in the many different runs that make up the five species. Their first task is to collect and analyze data for each major group so that they can estimate how many fish are expected to return each year. Once they’ve estimated the size of the run, they then must decide how many need to reach the spawning ground in order to replace or increase the run.

Fisheries managers also have to take into account the needs of the users of the resource. First Nations have priority access to salmon for food, ceremonial and social purposes. Some First Nations have also negotiated commercial sale of fish. Commercial fishermen have priority for sockeye, pink and chum salmon, recreational fishermen for chinook and coho.

Salmon management is a complex task rarely accomplished to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. In addition to all the work that must be done in advance of the season to determine run sizes and potential surpluses, data collected during the run often requires changes to decisions made and announced months before.

Because salmon are migratory, their management is also subject to international treaties. The Pacific Salmon Treaty established the Pacific Salmon Commission, which manages Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon jointly on behalf of Canada and the US. Another treaty, signed by Canada, the US, Russia and Japan, created the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. This Commission is an important source of statistical and scientific work, but is even more significant for its role in eliminating the high-seas driftnet fishery for Pacific salmon and preventing the trafficking of illegally caught salmon.

Salmon management plans and updates are available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

2003 Salmon Management Plans Released	July 18, 2003
The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the release... more

Governments Set Up Task Group	July 29, 2003
Governments Set Up Task Group to Provide Advice on the Integrated Management of Post Treaty Fisheries... more