Consultation on the Pacific Salmon Treaty Southern Coho reference points and exploitation rate caps

Why we are consulting

The purpose is to review and seek feedback on the approach for identifying Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) status reference points (i.e. low, moderate or abundant) and determining corresponding exploitation rate (ER) caps for Canadian Coho management units (MUs). This process will engage Canadian First Nations and stakeholders in reviewing potential options while considering the possible conservation risks to Coho populations. The input gathered through this process will help inform the Government of Canada on the perspectives of First Nations and stakeholders with respect to desired outcomes and risk tolerance, and thus inform the final approach for establishing reference points and ER caps for the bilateral management of Canadian Coho MUs.

Who we are consulting with

First Nations and stakeholders (i.e., commercial and recreational harvesters, and Marine Conservation Caucus), including Canadian members of both the PSC Southern Panel and PSC Coho Technical Committee (CoTC) will be invited to participate in the engagement process and provide feedback on the options presented. US PSC bodies (Southern Panel, CoTC) will be informed of the work as appropriate through PSC meetings but formal advice will not be sought.

Key points for discussion

• This engagement process focuses on Canada's obligation to provide maximum bilateral (Canada and US) exploitation rates (ER caps) for each PST status category of Low, Moderate and Abundant, for Canadian Coho management units under the terms of Annex IV, Chapter 5 of the PST
• Within each ER cap, explicit limits on the ERs for Canada and the US are established under the PST. Each country then manages within its ER cap through its own domestic fisheries management process and annual fishing plans.
• This means that within its portion of the PST ER cap, Canada will continue to implement its own annual domestic planning processes (i.e. through the salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) development process) and determine fishery-specific, domestic management actions to implement. Domestic annual ER targets may be set less than or equal to the maximum permitted under the maximum bilateral ER cap for domestic management purposes.
• Any new bilateral ER caps will only come into effect for the 2019 fishing season with discussion on management decision rules for Canadian fisheries to take place in developing the 2019 IFMP through existing consultation processes.

What type of information and input are we seeking?

Specific questions that will guide the engagement process are included in a discussion document. However in general, we will be seeking input on the following types of information:

• Pros and cons of alternative approaches for defining status levels and ER caps (i.e., for Canadian Coho MUs)
• Appropriate ranges for ER caps under different status levels
• Key objectives and uncertainties that should be considered when comparing different types of approaches
• Preferences and/or concerns with respect to different types of approaches (and underlying reasons)
• Other information that should be factored into the final decision.

First Nations and stakeholders will have several opportunities to provide feedback and input on this work. Opportunities will include via webinar(s), a workshop, written comments directly to the Department and through existing meetings where possible. Additional opportunities for input may be considered where possible. Additional information on how and when feedback may be provided to DFO will be communicated widely through a letter to First Nations and stakeholders in early April using existing distribution lists and Fisheries Notices. Further details are included within the Engagement Plan.

Related material

• Engagement plan
• Engagement report
• Discussion paper
• Pacific Salmon Treaty
• Coho webinar presentation

Contact us

For questions or a copy of the discussion paper as well as the form to provide feedback, please contact Cynthia Johnston.