Atlantic Salmon Watch Program

What is the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program?

Between 1991 and 2013, the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program (ASWP) was a research program operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), created to study the abundance, distribution, and biology of Atlantic salmon that had escaped from salmon farms in British Columbia (B.C.). The ASWP collected information about escaped Atlantic salmon from Indigenous, commercial, and recreational fishers, fish processors, government, independent field biologists, and hatchery workers. In addition, DFO staff proactively conducted surveillance and assessed fish/tissue samples. Monitoring from this time indicated that escaped Atlantic salmon had not established feral populations in B.C. freshwater systems, suggesting the risk to wild Pacific salmon from escapees is low. This allowed for a reduction in proactive surveillance efforts and a redistribution of resources.

Today, observations of Atlantic salmon and fish samples are still accepted should people wish to voluntarily provide them.

How do Atlantic salmon look different from Pacific salmon?

The key distinguishing feature of Atlantic salmon is large black spots on the gill cover, which Pacific salmon do not have.

Long text version

Figure 1: Features of Atlantic salmon

• Large black spots on gill cover
• Black x-shaped spots above lateral line
• Slender or pinched caudal
• 8 to 12 rays on anal fin
• No spots on tail (same may have spots on tail)
• May have eroded fin

What should I do if I catch or observe an Atlantic salmon?

If you catch an Atlantic salmon in Pacific waters, do not release it back into the water.

Report it

You may voluntarily report the capture by calling the ASWP toll-free reporting line at 1-800-811-6010 or by emailing ASWP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Provide these details in your report:

• the date, time and location (e.g., nearest town, fishing location, stream, address)
• capture method, if available
• a photograph of the fish, if possible

Our team may follow up on your report and ask for biological samples when available.

Keep or donate the fish

You have two options as to what to do with the fish:

1. Keep it as you would any other salmon (including eating)
2. Donate the entire fish to us for scientific research purposes. For whole fish donation, the entire fish, including entrails, should be frozen or kept on ice. Alternatively, the head, entrails, and a small portion of the back, including scales, can be donated. If you contact us, our staff will arrange for transport of the sample at no cost to you.

Monitoring of Atlantic salmon escapes

We periodically conduct field surveys to actively look for Atlantic salmon in B.C., focusing work in streams where sightings and catches have been reported. Targeted monitoring could also occur following a significant escape event, which can occur during storm events or caused by human error.

For example, extensive field work was undertaken in 2011 and 2012 in twelve rivers on Vancouver Island. No Atlantic salmon, of any life stage, were identified. Additional surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2017 following a large escape event from a farm (since closed) located in Washington state.

The monitoring of Atlantic salmon escapes report summarizes the reports that were made to the ASWP between 2005 and 2019. This report is no longer updated due to low numbers of verifiable reports and samples being submitted.

• Monitoring of Atlantic salmon escapes

Contact us

Report suspected Atlantic Salmon caught or observed in B.C. waters to:

• Email: ASWP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• Phone: 1-800-811-6010 (toll-free)

Related links

• Reports of Atlantic salmon captured in BC waters
• Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3061: Summary of reported Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) catches and sightings in British Columbia and results of field work conducted in 2011 and 2012 (2015)