Magazines & Publications

Pacific salmon have faced mounting challenges for decades, with many populations struggling.

Our first-ever State of Salmon Report provides the clearest picture yet of where salmon are declining, recovering, and in need of our help.

This breakthrough report summarizes the state of salmon across B.C. and the Yukon, enabling us to take action where salmon need it most (see page six).

This report also spotlights examples where salmon conservation efforts are paying off, encouraging PSF’s work in the coming years to advance salmon recovery and resilience.

While this high-level information is essential, monitoring in-season salmon conditions is equally important.

The Chilcotin landslide this summer initially blocked the river and raised concerns about fish passage viability — reminiscent of the Big Bar Landslide in 2019. Migrations in the Chilcotin were delayed, but the river formed a new channel and more than 70,000 salmon had passed through by mid October, reminding us of the resilience and adaptability of Pacific salmon.

PSF recognizes the Tŝilhqot’in National Government for their salmon-focused efforts following the landslide.

We’ve also been tracking sockeye runs.

Unfortunately, the Fraser sockeye run this year was the second-lowest run size on record, likely exacerbated by poor conditions like warm waters. These fish originally came from eggs laid by salmon that returned in 2020. That year, many returning salmon struggled because their spawning grounds were still partly blocked by the Big Bar slide, producing fewer fish for the next generation, which we are now seeing.

Conversely, the transboundary Columbia River saw record-high sockeye numbers this year. This run had dropped to fewer than 10,000 sockeye in the 1990s. This year, an estimated 750,000 sockeye returned to the lower Columbia. This recovery is due to long-term efforts led by Okanagan Nation Alliance, supported by U.S. utilities, PSF, and others.

While the Fraser sockeye return is concerning, the rebound of Okanagan sockeye illustrates that rebuilding is possible. PSF is hopeful that we can learn from the Okanagan and catalyze success elsewhere.

These updates must fuel our collective motivation to do everything we can to protect and rebuild salmon for generations to come.

This is also why PSF’s strategic plan acknowledges the need to transform salmon management systems. Crown governments can’t save salmon alone and we know that historic approaches to managing salmon are insufficient to today’s challenges. Instead, we need a new model where First Nations and communities set and implement salmon recovery priorities, backed by all levels of government, non-profits like PSF, and donors. In December, we will discuss these priorities at the Salmon Recovery and Resilience Conference (see page 15).

Salmon face many daunting challenges, but recovery and resilience are possible with collective, decisive action.

Sincerely,
Michael Meneer
President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation