Canada and the United States are halting the fishing of Canadian Chinook salmon from the Yukon River

To protect the dwindling species, Canada and the United States are suspending fishing for Canadian Yukon River Chinook salmon for seven years.

The agreement covers the length of a fish’s life cycle and recognizes that the “ongoing decline of Chinook salmon” has resulted in the failure to meet conservation goals in both countries.

A statement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the Chinook population has declined since the 1980s to less than 10 percent of its historical average of 150,000 adult salmon from the Canadian portion of the watershed.

The agreement covers all commercial, recreational and domestic fisheries and runs from April 2024 to 2030 with the aim of increasing the stock of Canadian-origin Chinook salmon back to 71,000 pieces.

Governments have agreed to work to restore habitat and stocks and support research to better understand the decline of Chinook salmon.

The statement said the commitment is necessary to support the long-term recovery and rebuilding of the Chinook population in the Yukon River.

“Chinook salmon are an integral part of the environment, culture and fabric of the Yukon and Interior/Western Alaska,” said Diane Lebouthillier, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, in the statement.

“To ensure that we all work together to protect and restore this vital species for future generations, both Canada and the United States must take joint action at the international level.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press