Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative update

Issue 2023-2: December 2023

On this page

• Operation North Pacific Guard: Safeguarding Pacific salmon and the high seas
• Collaboration and innovation: Protecting Pacific salmon amidst B.C.'s 2023 drought conditions
• Salmon collaboration in the Thompson-Shuswap
• First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada release thousands of Early Stuart sockeye fry to support salmon impacted by Big Bar Landslide

Operation North Pacific Guard: Safeguarding Pacific salmon and the high seas

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant risk to Pacific salmon populations in the North Pacific, potentially driving their increasing decline. In a pioneering effort to further combat this, fishery officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), primarily from British Columbia (B.C.), embarked on their first Canadian-led high seas mission as part of Operation North Pacific Guard this past July through September.

Operation North Pacific Guard is an annual, multi-national effort to coordinate fisheries enforcement and protect global fish stocks. For 2 months, Canadian officers, supported by personnel from the Canadian Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), patrolled over 12,000 nautical miles on the chartered vessel, the Atlantic Condor. Their mission was twofold: to locate illegal high seas driftnets and inspect fishing vessels for compliance with international fisheries regulations.

The North Pacific ocean is teeming with diverse marine life, including the iconic Pacific salmon. It is the migratory route for Pacific salmon, a species of immense cultural, ecological and economic importance. Unfortunately, these salmon populations face a multitude of threats, including climate change, habitat degradation, land and water use, and harvest pressure, including IUU fishing in international waters.

The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) is a critical component of Canada's plan of action to protect and conserve these fish stocks. It is at the forefront of multiple initiatives, including providing critical funding to support high-seas patrols, collect scientific data and enforce international fisheries regulations. It is through such initiatives that Canada is demonstrating its commitment to preserving the North Pacific ecosystem and the Pacific salmon that call it home.

During this operation, Canadian officers interacted with over 400 crew members from various nations aboard their vessels. They documented incidents of marine pollution and noted other violations, emphasizing the urgency of enforcing global regulations on the high seas.

The Canadian team also conducted air surveillance from Japan in support of Operation North Pacific Guard. Canadian fishery officers and air crew completed 31 patrols, visually inspecting over 400 vessels to confirm compliance with conservation measures in the North Pacific. Valuable information from these patrols was shared with enforcement partners in Japan and the United States.

Canada is now working with the relevant flag states to support further investigations and sanctions on the vessels found in violation of international fishing regulations. Evidence for 58 violations detected during the patrols is being provided to the appropriate authorities. This demonstrates Canada's commitment to upholding international agreements and promoting the rule of law on the high seas, safeguarding its significant investments in salmon conservation.

Operation North Pacific Guard wasn't just about enforcing regulations; it also involved collecting environmental data and water samples to enhance Canada's understanding of the high seas environment, including the migration patterns of species like Pacific salmon.

The migration area of Pacific salmon spans millions of square kilometres, making them vulnerable to IUU fishing activities. Operation North Pacific Guard provided a unique opportunity to collect data that could help scientists understand the impacts of IUU fishing on Pacific salmon and their migration patterns. This data is invaluable for protecting these vital fish stocks. While this specific mission did not directly encounter fishing activity that targeted Pacific salmon, the scale of such activity could be significant, as evidenced by a 2018 interception by the United States Coast Guard of over 80 tonnes of illegally caught Pacific salmon.

In a world where the oceans know no borders, international collaboration and strong enforcement of regulations are key to securing the future of Pacific salmon and other marine life in the North Pacific. As we strive to stem the decline of these vital species and rebuild their populations, the PSSI and Operation North Pacific Guard play a central role in the preservation of this important ecosystem.

Watch the Operation North Pacific Guard wrap-up video.

Collaboration and innovation: Protecting Pacific salmon amidst B.C.'s 2023 drought conditions

This year's severe drought conditions across British Columbia required a coordinated effort to protect Pacific salmon populations from devastating consequences. In collaboration with Indigenous communities, the Province of British Columbia, the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) and local community stewardship groups, Fisheries and Oceans Canada played a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by the drought.

From May to October this year, B.C. faced prolonged periods of high temperatures and limited rainfall. As a result, important fish habitats either dried up or became disconnected during the scorching summer season. This led to adult and juvenile salmon becoming trapped in isolated pools, increasing the risk of mortality due to low oxygen levels, high temperatures, inadequate food supply, heightened predation and, in extreme cases, complete lack of water.

During the summer, DFO responded to almost 100 drought-related incidents in various watersheds across B.C.'s south and north coasts, as well as the Fraser and Interior areas. DFO's Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative Habitat Restoration Center of Expertise (CoE) played an essential role in the emergency efforts. Their objectives were to mitigate the adverse effects of the drought on salmon habitats and, whenever possible, rehabilitate these areas. Funding from PSSI enabled DFO restoration specialists to carry out critical interventions on the ground alongside Indigenous communities and other partners. This funding also enhanced the CoE's ability to provide real-time technical advice to restoration teams throughout B.C., ensuring an efficient and effective response.

In many cases, Indigenous communities recognized the urgency and significance of the worsening conditions and partnered with the CoE to undertake necessary emergency work and successfully rescue salmon populations, including:

• Kispiox River, Kitimat-Stikine: On the remote northern watershed of British Columbia, the drought posed passage challenges for migrating adult Sockeye salmon. Disconnected creek sections and oxygen-poor holding pools hindered their movement. The Gitksan Watershed Authorities and CoE staff conducted an aerial flight of spawning tributaries in the Swan Stephens Lake complex in the Upper Kispiox for additional assessments. They then hand dredged and manually placed rocks to concentrate flows in Falls Creek, a tributary to Swan Lake. This adaptive approach not only facilitated salmon passage but also enhanced the overall environmental conditions for the species.
• Chemainus and Koksilah Rivers, Cowichan Valley: Halalt First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, PSF and Waters Edge Biological Consulting, together with DFO, assisted Pacific salmon in navigating shallow river sections due to drought conditions. The team planned and built small rock weirs (small directional dams) across riffles with critically shallow depths using natural materials collected at the sites. This low impact approach concentrated the rivers' shallow water into channels then deep enough for salmon to swim through. Within 5 days, fish could successfully migrate up the lower Koksilah and Chemainus Rivers.
• Tsolum and Puntledge rivers, Comox Valley: As early as July, Tsolum River flows dropped below 1% of the annual average, with in-stream temperatures reaching 25°C. DFO staff opened the Wolf Lake spillway early to boost flows. Amid the prolonged drought, the K’ómoks First Nation, Tsolum River Restoration Society and CoE staff rescued salmon fry and reconnected pools to the river’s mainstem manually. Shade structures and solar aeration units were installed in areas where the fry gathered. As Pink salmon adults returned, larger aeration units were placed in their holding pools and previous problem areas were monitored to prevent fish mortality. CoE staff also undertook emergency in-stream work at Puntledge Hatchery to facilitate salmon passage beyond a counting fence obstructed by gravel accumulation and low flows.
• xʔəl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Indian River), North Vancouver: Severe drought conditions this summer led to water going underground near Twin Bridges, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) technicians reported that a 300,000 Pink salmon run was blocked from swimming further upstream. With PSF's support, CoE engineers and biologists worked with the səlilwətaɬ technicians and biologists to excavate a channel, reconnect water flows through the dry riverbed and facilitate salmon passage to spawning habitats upstream. This work also increased the flow of fresh, cold water downstream to areas with dangerously low oxygen levels, where fish were holding.
• Tranquille River, Kamloops: With support from the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission and local organizations, the CoE successfully reconnected water flows between Tranquille River and Kamloops Lake. The team reduced stress on the migrating fish by excavating a new channel through the dewatered section and adding pools and woody debris that closely mimicked their natural environment. Water license holders also voluntarily released surplus water from the lake to restore and reconnect the dry section. This work enabled over 2,300 pink and 125 coho salmon to successfully reach their spawning grounds.

DFO’s Fish and Fish Habitat Protection program (FFHPP) also supported the Province of B.C. in implementing temporary protection orders under B.C.'s Water Sustainability Act for 4 systems important to salmon populations, including the Salmon River, Bessette River, Tsolum River and Koksilah River. Advanced technologies, including geographic information system (GIS) assessments, drone flights, helicopter flyovers and fluvial geomorphologist assessments, were employed to gain detailed analyses of river systems, allowing the CoE to provide more rapid and precise actions to address significant incidents.

Part of this year's emergency response involved planning for future drought effects. With funding from PSSI, the CoE facilitated the re-engagement of the Somass Water Flow Committee to make real-time decisions on releasing water over the Great Central Lake and Sproat Lake weirs. This was done to provide pulse flows for migrating Chinook and Sockeye salmon spawners during this exceptionally dry year. In collaboration with the Lake Babine Nation, the CoE conducted aerial surveys to identify critical Sockeye tributaries in the Lake Babine area that will require access improvements in the upcoming months.

The leadership of Indigenous Peoples and other partners, combined with the unwavering commitment of DFO and organizations such as the PSF, ensured that salmon populations were given a fighting chance to navigate the challenging conditions brought about by this year's extreme drought. These collective efforts not only saved thousands of salmon but also provided valuable lessons for addressing future drought-related challenges. As we continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change, these collaborations and innovative interventions by the CoE will play a key role in safeguarding the future of Pacific salmon in British Columbia.

Learn more about how DFO is supporting Pacific salmon through extreme environmental conditions.

Salmon collaboration in the Thompson-Shuswap

There’s something fishy going on in the Thompson-Shuswap watershed and that’s a good thing. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission joined forces in 2021 to improve salmon habitat in the Thompson-Shuswap watershed. Together, they formed the Thompson Shuswap Salmon Collaborative (TSSC) – a non-political, innovative and collaborative structure to proactively identify, prioritize and coordinate salmon conservation and restoration actions.

Collaborative undertakings such as the TSSC are exactly what the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative is geared to support. To establish and manage this type of work under the Conservation and Stewardship pillar of the PSSI, the Integrated Planning for Salmon Ecosystems (IPSE) unit was set up. Its aim is to bring together Indigenous governments and communities, B.C. and Yukon governments, DFO and other federal partners, regional and municipal governments, industry associations, academia and key stewardship groups to identify and prioritize actions and recommendations that take a cohesive approach to supporting healthy salmon ecosystems across jurisdictions.

The Thompson-Shuswap is 1 of 3 pilot projects launched through the IPSE in DFO’s Pacific region; the other 2 have commenced in the Nicola Watershed in B.C. and the Yukon River in Yukon Territory.

The TSSC is currently building an Integrated Salmon Ecosystem Plan for the Thompson-Shuswap sub-regional planning area. The strong partnership and shared commitment among the members of the TSSC bodes well for advancing conservation and restoring salmon ecosystems in the area. Collaboration across jurisdictions will benefit not only the current ecosystem, but also strengthen the future of Pacific salmon.

To that end, the TSSC held its first salmon ecosystem conservation and restoration workshop in Kamloops in March 2023, which was recognized widely as a remarkable success. Over 40 participants attended, including representatives from across the spectrum of partners and stakeholders. Participants were generous in providing their unique perspectives and shared their valuable expertise on salmon habitat needs in the area.

Among their accomplishments at this first meeting was broad consensus on the need to find innovative solutions and advance bold recommendations that contribute to the recovery of both salmon and the natural ecosystem processes that support them – all while embedding a ‘salmon first’ legacy in the Thompson-Shuswap watershed. They also agreed that Indigenous communities are vital to shaping the plan and ensuring that their cultural values are reflected. They emphasized the importance of participation from industry and all levels of government to improve outcomes for salmon, and that long-term planning must also be pursued alongside immediate actions taken to restore and protect salmon ecosystems. Finally, they noted that the plan should integrate with existing regional plans to ensure the Integrated Salmon Ecosystem Plan has long term success and resiliency.

The TSSC faces many challenges in the Thompson-Shuswap planning area; several pressures and threats act on salmon ecosystems; land use pressures such as agriculture, development and forestry, as well as climate change were noted as major concerns by workshop participants. That said, participants acknowledged the extensive knowledge and expertise around the table, as well as the opportunity the TSSC offers to share information more broadly and improve collaboration, learning and decision-making.

Since the March 2023 workshop, the TSSC has formed technical working groups to address the priority topics raised by participants. These working groups include subject matter experts from a range of disciplines to provide recommendations that may support salmon habitat. Future workshops will also be held to bring our collective knowledge to bear in prioritizing actions and recommendations that will ultimately inform the Integrated Salmon Ecosystem Plan. The shared vision for improved salmon ecosystems and broad collaboration with those who play a role in the salmon ecosystem have set the TSSC up for success and will continue to drive this process forward with positive momentum.

First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada release thousands of Early Stuart sockeye fry to support salmon impacted by Big Bar Landslide

In a noteworthy approach to collaborative conservation, the Takla Nation, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has taken significant steps to protect the vulnerable Early Stuart sockeye salmon population impacted by the Big Bar landslide.

This summer, a substantial release of 64,000 fry into the Driftwood River near Takla Landing marked a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure the survival of these at-risk salmon. A key pillar of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative directs enhancement initiatives to strengthen salmon populations in the Upper Fraser. The recent release is an extension of PSSI’s enhancement goals and further bolsters conservation measures aimed at stocks affected by the landslide.

The Early Stuart sockeye fry release in June 2023 is part of a broader conservation enhancement initiative that has been in motion since 2019 with the natal pilot program starting in 2022. This endeavour was meticulously planned by the Takla Nation, Nak’azdli Whut’en and representatives from the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) and DFO's Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP). Throughout this year, multiple releases were coordinated by First Nations along the upper reaches and tributaries of the Fraser River.

These fry were carefully reared from eggs and milt collected from adult salmon that returned to their natal spawning grounds in the Driftwood River area. The pilot program, initiated in 2022, was a joint effort by the Takla and Nak’azdli communities, with technical support from DFO. The eggs and milt were transported to the Takla hatchery for fertilization and incubation. In spring 2024, these juvenile sockeye will embark on a 1,200-kilometer journey to the ocean as smolts. After spending 2 to 3 years in the Pacific, they will return to the Fraser River and migrate back to the Stuart River watershed.

The Early Stuart sockeye population has been declining, even though extensive fisheries closures had been in place for years prior to the landslide. Early Stuart’s are the first migrating sockeye in the Fraser watershed, facing various environmental challenges such as elevated spring flows and high water temperatures in certain years. This situation has prompted immediate action as the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada has listed this population as Endangered.

The pilot program builds upon the emergency enhancement work that began in 2019, targeting Early Stuart sockeye affected by the Big Bar landslide. Between 2019 and 2022, the primary approach was to enhance this population for sustainability and resilience by capturing salmon downstream at Lillooet and near Mission, B.C. In 2022, both natal and river interception programs continued, with the addition of juveniles from a captive brood program. These broodstock were established using salmon from the severely impacted years of 2019 and 2020.

Recent upgrades to DFO hatcheries, including the expanded capacity of Inch Creek Hatchery, have enabled DFO to diversify its Early Stuart sockeye strategies. The second year of successful natal broodstock collection conducted by both the Takla and Nak’azdli Nations is evidence of this progress. Additionally, fry releases from both the river brood capture initiative and a newly developed captive brood program at Inch Creek are expected to further support juvenile-to-adult survival rates. The results of this work will be closely evaluated when adult salmon return to spawn in 2024 and beyond.

The partnership among local First Nations, the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C. has played a vital role in our shared commitment to supporting the storied migration of Pacific salmon in the Fraser River, ensuring their continued presence for generations to come.