Question Period Note: Chinook Salmon

• The road to recovery for Pacific Salmon requires a long-term view and we are committed to continuing collaboration with all interested parties.
• The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative represents a significant investment by the Government of Canada to protect and rebuild salmon stocks.
• Conservation measures for Southern BC, particularly Fraser River, Chinook stocks of concern were developed following consultation with Indigenous communities, recreational and commercial fishing organizations, and environmental organizations.

BACKGROUND

• Twenty-two of the 29 southern British Columbia (BC) Chinook populations (or Designatable Units (Dus)) assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) have been designated as Endangered, Threatened, or of special concern. These populations are under consideration for listing under the Species at Risk Act.
• Beginning in 2019, the Department implemented significant new fishery restrictions to promote the protection and rebuilding of wild Chinook populations. The management measures for Chinook were developed following consultation with Indigenous groups, recreational and commercial fishing organizations and environmental organizations. These measures are one component of a larger strategy for sustainability of at risk Pacific salmon populations. The measures have been adjusted based on feedback from consultations and review of post-season information from prior years. Actions implemented in the 2023 fishery include the following:
• Commercial fishing: commercial troll fisheries for Chinook was closed until August 16 in Northern BC, and August 16 on the west coast of Vancouver Island to avoid impacting Fraser Chinook stocks and to support conservation and priority access for First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries;
• Recreational fishing: management measures for recreational fisheries were designed to avoid impacts on Fraser Chinook stocks of concern where these at risk Chinook stocks may be encountered. The measures for recreational fishing ranged from no retention during certain periods, no fishing for salmon near the Fraser River, reduced daily limits, and maximum size limits (i.e. to protect large female spawners). For the Fraser River, recreational fisheries are closed to salmon fishing given conservation concerns for most Fraser River Chinook populations.
• First Nations food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries: in-river fisheries, which have a constitutionally protected priority, were managed with very limited opportunities when at risk Chinook were present until August when additional opportunities were provided to harvest healthier Chinook populations. 

If pressed on the impact on fishermen
• Chinook Salmon management measures have been challenging for harvesters. They are, however, necessary to support the conservation and recovery of stocks.