Terms of Reference

Criteria and procedure for managing changes to, and process for updating, conservation unit characterizations for the five pacific salmon species

Regional Peer Review Process – Pacific Region

October 25-26, 2018
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Nicholas Komick

Context

The Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) (2005) defines a Conservation Unit (CU) as a group of wild salmon sufficiently isolated from other groups that, if lost, is very unlikely to recolonize naturally within an acceptable timeframe such as a human lifetime or a specified number of salmon generations. After the Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) was adopted in 2005, methods for identifying CUs were developed and a first list of Pacific CUs for each of the five salmon species was produced (Holtby and Ciruna 2007).

Since this initial list was developed, adjustments to the list have occurred as new information has become available or historical information has been examined in greater detail than was possible by Holtby and Ciruna (2007).  CU modifications were first introduced for Fraser River sockeye salmon CUs (Grant et al. 2011). CU modifications were later introduced for some of the CUs of Chinook salmon in southern British Columbia and the approach was documented in a Science Response report (DFO 2013).  This work resulted in various types of major modifications such as the combining of existing CUs.  Both cases resulted in modifications to CUs, revealing that the rationale to identify and modify CUs was not understood broadly within DFO Science and that a need existed for a standard and consistent approach.  For these reasons and also given new approaches to identifying CUs that include advances in genetics, a new well described approach for CU updates is required. This will ensure that CUs are defined consistently and regularly.

CUs provide the basic unit for biological status assessment under the Wild Salmon Policy.  One of the Activities (1.1.b) of the draft WSP Implementation Plan (DFO 2017) is to establish a framework for reviewing and approving revisions to CUs.  The current target date for completion of a framework is March 2022, but Science has requested this date be moved up so that the framework can be used as soon as possible.  This project will focus on developing a framework for reviewing and approving revisions to CUs; since the project is about the procedure, existing CUs will not be reviewed and updated at this stage.

The overall objective of this Regional Peer Review process is to establish a procedure and process for reviewing Conservation Unit definitions and for managing CUs.

Objective

The following working paper will be reviewed and provide the basis for discussion and advice on the specific objectives outlined below.

Wade, J.  Framework for reviewing and approving revisions to salmon Conservation Units (CU). CSAP Working Paper 2016SAL01

The specific objective of this review is to develop a framework which:

1. identifies the criteria to define CU characterizations and CU delineation (includes changes such as splitting);
2. proposes a procedure, including roles and responsibilities, methods, and frequency on which to assess, review and update CU characterizations; and
3. provides recommendations regarding governance of the authoritative list of CUs and their associated attributes and data.

Expected Publications

• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science sector)
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Policy
• Academia
• First Nations
• Non-governmental organizations
• Commercial and recreational fishing interests

References

DFO. 2005. Canada's policy for conservation of wild Pacific salmon. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4. p. 49+v.

DFO. 2013.  Review and update of southern BC Chinook conservation unit assignments.  DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2013/022.

DFO. 2017. DRAFT 2018-2017 Wild Salmon Policy implementation plan for consultations. 59pp.

Grant, S.C.H., MacDonald, B.L., Cone, T.E., Holt, C.A., Cass, A., Porszt, E.J., Hume, J.M.B., Pon, L.B. 2011. Evaluation of Uncertainty in Fraser Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) Wild Salmon Policy Status using Abundance and Trends in Abundance Metrics. DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/087. viii + 183 p.

Holtby, L.B. and Ciruna, K.A. 2007. Conservation units for Pacific salmon under the Wild Salmon Policy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2007/070.