Commercial Pacific salmon closures

Pacific salmon are in a long-term decline, with many runs on the verge of collapse due to a complex combination of climate change, habitat degradation, and harvesting impacts. We are taking decisive steps under the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) to combat these steep declines and give salmon a fighting chance at survival by implementing extensive closures to commercial salmon fisheries in areas with significant stocks of conservation concern, beginning with the 2021 fishing season. Where commercial fishery closures are in place to conserve specific sockeye, pink and chum salmon stocks, recreational retention fisheries will also be restricted.

Based on the 2021 outlook that provides information regarding anticipated returns of salmon stocks, these closures will make the greatest impact on the most fragile stocks of concern. The remaining open fisheries may have sufficient abundance to proceed, while posing a low risk to stocks of concern, however actual returns from each in-season test fishery will determine whether they open. Factors that lessen the impacts of a fishery when it opens include fishing in areas where harvesters can avoid intercepting at-risk salmon stocks, and/or additional measures where it is possible to enhance selectivity of salmon stocks such as dates, shorter duration, and smaller geographic areas. We will consult further on long-term conservation measures with First Nations and commercial harvesters prior to the 2022 fishing season.

Understanding that stocks may need multiple generations to stabilize and rebuild, and that these closures will have an economic impact on harvesters, we will also be engaging with harvesters on a Pacific Salmon Commercial Transition Program. This salmon licence retirement program will provide harvesters with the option to retire their licences for fair market value and will facilitate the transition to a smaller commercial harvesting sector. Permanently removing fishing effort will support the economic viability of the fishery in the long run, while closures will protect salmon stocks in the short term and give them an opportunity to stabilize.

First Nations communal-commercial harvesters

We will meaningfully consult with First Nations communal-commercial harvesters on options to shift to more selective fishing gear or, where available, to other non-salmon species. These mitigation measures allow for continued economic opportunity agreements under the communal-commercial licence, while helping reduce interactions with at-risk stocks.

Commercial salmon closures

Related links

• Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative
• Pacific Salmon Commercial Transition Program
• Pacific salmon integrated fisheries management plans