Canada and the United States are suspending fishing for Canadian Yukon River Chinook salmon

Canada and the United States are suspending fishing for Canadian-sourced king salmon from the Yukon River for seven years to protect this endangered species.

The agreement covers the duration of one life cycle of the fish and recognizes that the “sustained decline of Chinook salmon” has resulted in the failure to achieve conservation goals in both countries.

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

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.

The governments have agreed to work to restore habitat and populations and to 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 inland and western Alaska,” said Diane Lebouthillier, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, in the statement.

“International action through cooperative action in both Canada and the United States is needed to ensure that we all work together to protect and restore this vital species for future generations.”

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

The Canadian Press