Trilateral declaration on the urgent need to address wild Pacific salmon populations in British Columbia
The First Nations Fisheries Council of BC ("FNFC"), Fisheries and Oceans Canada ("DFO"), and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship ("WLRS") have come together over our shared interests and priorities to address the historic decline of wild Pacific salmon populations in British Columbia.
The state of wild Pacific salmon is a matter of grave concern, particularly as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify. The DFO, FNFC, and WLRS agree that urgent action is needed to conserve and restore wild Pacific salmon stocks and their habitat.
Pacific salmon are an iconic fish in Canada and are woven into the cultural traditions of First Nations, and are of tremendous importance to all in British Columbia. Given their migratory nature, Pacific salmon populations are affected by natural pressures and human pressures resulting from management decisions made at the international, federal, Indigenous, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels.
Over the last several decades, through many reports, studies, and inquiries, the historic declines of BC's wild Pacific salmon has been well documented. Despite past efforts to assist wild salmon, there are currently 43 populations of chinook, coho, sockeye salmon, and steelhead classified as at risk (i.e., Special Concern, Threatened or Endangered) by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in BC.
The DFO, FNFC, and WLRS each recognize that they have respective responsibilities and authorities to urgently address declining Pacific salmon populations and to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in doing so.
A shared commitment and action plan to collaboratively address wild Pacific salmon populations of concern will be jointly developed and ratified by DFO, FNFC, and WLRS.
Signed on this 21 day of June 2024
On behalf of the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC
- Hugh Braker, President, First Nations Fisheries Council of BC
- John Henderson, Vice-President, First Nations Fisheries Council of BC
- Thomas Alexis, Secretary Treasurer, First Nations Fisheries Council of BC
On behalf of the Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
- The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
On behalf of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- The Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture
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