Strategic Salmon Recovery Program

Initiated through funding and the support of the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund Society, the first step for watershed-based salmon recovery is the development of recovery plans that bring together actions aimed at rebuilding Pacific salmon populations.

The plans include an understanding of the current state of salmon and their habitat, biological limits to recovery, local and regional fisheries, and the potential and requirements for recovery. The development and implementation of these plans have included a process involving community groups, stakeholders, fisheries experts and First Nations. The use of scientific principles and technical data are keys to the success of recovery plans.

The initiative focused on targeted watersheds within three main priority regions of the province - the Thompson-Shuswap, Georgia Basin and Central Coast. These areas were selected following review and analysis of scientific information by technical groups comprised of fisheries specialists from LGL Limited, University of British Columbia, and the federal and provincial governments. The information included: salmon stocks at risk, condition of fish habitat, harvest impacts, potential for recovery, ability for local delivery and potential to leverage other funding.

Eligible activities include but are not limited to: 

  • Protecting and restoring habitat
  • Restoring fish access to critical habitat
  • Restoring adequate water flows
  • Improving freshwater and marine survival
  • Providing information for fisheries management
  • Employing selective harvesting methods
  • Education

The effectiveness of the recovery plans and activities has been evaluated through the monitoring of habitat (surveys of habitat condition and function), stock status (estimates of spawning numbers and fry and smolt production) and fisheries (monitoring harvests in key fisheries).

We look forward to further Recovery Plan implementation and building on the exemplary base of work offered by the Recovery Plan teams in BC.