Salmon populations in decline across B.C. and Yukon: report

A new report says that Pacific salmon populations are in decline across B.C. and the Yukon, though there are also some signs of hope. 

On Thursday, the Vancouver-based Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) released its State of Salmon report, which covers all species of Pacific salmon and steelhead across nine regions in the country. The report considers 41 combinations of regions and salmon species, and found that more than 70 per cent of them are below their long-term average.

"In some regions, only a handful of wild spawners are returning," said Katrina Connors, director of the foundation's salmon watersheds program. 

Chum salmon and steelhead are struggling the most as they are below their long-term average in all regions, according to the report. 

Meanwhile, it found that the northern regions are seeing the most widespread declines. 

"We often have a bit of a sentiment that the northern parts of our province and the Yukon territory are going to provide a bit of refuge as the climate changes and pushes salmon further north," Connors said. 

"To know that they're not doing well and to also know that the climate is warming faster in these regions … that's a bit of a concern. Salmon really need our help in these areas." 

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Andrew Thomson, a regional director of science for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), attributed the challenges to a variety of factors, from climate change to natural disasters to harvest impact. 

He also told CBC News that the report's findings are not new to the DFO, noting it's why the department has been investing in rebuilding salmon populations across B.C. 

"There's a lot of work to be done," Thomson said. 

"That's why we need partners like Indigenous governments, the PSF and other environmental groups, and the communities at large because it's a big problem for all British Columbians to face."

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But at the same time, the report also found that there are signs of recovery, such as for the coho salmon in the Fraser region.

"When coho did crash in the mid 1990s, there was a really significant effort put into rebuilding," Connors said. "All of those things are now starting to pay off." 

In addition, she noted the work that Indigenous communities are doing to collaborate across regions and boundaries in order to steward the salmon population.

She also stressed the importance of preparing for the changing climate and working across different levels of government to support salmon resilience.

"We need to be looking forward," Connors said. 

"How can salmon adapt to these changes? What can we do to help them adapt, to give them the best chance of survival?"