Canada and Alaska Forge 7-Year Accord to Enhance Yukon River Salmon Restoration

Alaska and Canada Enter Seven-Year Agreement to Restore Yukon River King Salmon Stocks. In a concerted effort to rejuvenate king salmon populations within the Yukon River basin, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have inked a landmark seven-year pact. Under this accord, commercial, sport, domestic, and personal use king salmon fisheries along the Yukon River and its Canadian tributaries will be halted for the duration of the king salmon life cycle, reflecting a strategic shift towards long-term management solutions. ADFG Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang emphasized the imperative of adopting multi-year management strategies after extensive consultations with local communities residing along the river. While the agreement mandates a suspension of most fishing activities, provisions are made to accommodate a limited harvest for cultural and ceremonial purposes, preserving the traditions of riverine communities. Furthermore, both governments have entrusted the Yukon Panel, comprising stakeholders from the region, with the task of formulating a comprehensive king salmon recovery plan. DFO Senior Director Steve Gotch underscored the significance of integrating traditional knowledge and scientific expertise in charting the path towards sustainable salmon restoration efforts. The decision to implement stringent conservation measures comes in the wake of persistent concerns over dwindling salmon stocks, prompting the U.S. Commerce Department to declare a disaster for the Alaska Yukon River salmon fisheries in October 2023. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy highlighted the severity of the situation, citing record-low returns of chinook and summer chum salmon in recent years. In a bid to mitigate the economic impact on affected stakeholders, the U.S. Department of Commerce allocated USD 1.6 million (EUR 1.5 million) in January to compensate for losses incurred during the 2022 Alaska Yukon River salmon fisheries.