Guy Johnston, a seasoned fisherman with 50 years of experience, is currently fishing near the British Columbia border close to southeast Alaska. Reflecting on the current season, Johnston acknowledges the typical challenges faced by fishermen globally but also emphasizes the joy that comes with abundant returns. This year, the Fraser River sockeye salmon returns have exceeded expectations, with an estimated 6.3 million fish, a significant increase from the initial 2.3 million estimate and over 13 times more than last year’s 474,000 fish estimate, as reported by the Pacific Salmon Commission and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Johnston, who also serves as the secretary-treasurer of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU-Unifor), highlights the positive impact of these robust returns on fishermen and local communities, emphasizing the economic benefits and the availability of high-quality protein for consumption. The data, shared by UFAWU-Unifor on behalf of various stakeholders, including independent fish harvesters and relevant organizations, credits the increase in salmon returns to ongoing collaborative efforts by First Nations, commercial harvesters, and government bodies like the DFO to restore salmon populations and habitats over the years.
Bob Chamberlin, chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, specifically mentions the removal of open-net pen fish farms in the Discovery Islands as a contributing factor to the improved salmon returns. The gradual phase-out of these farms, which began in 2020 and has resulted in the closure of several facilities, has been a contentious issue due to concerns about disease transmission to wild salmon. While progress has been made, Chamberlin emphasizes the need for continued dedication to salmon conservation efforts beyond the closure of fish farms to ensure sustainable salmon populations for future generations.
DFO acknowledges the collective efforts of stakeholders, especially First Nations and government agencies, in restoring fish passage at the Big Bar landslide, a critical obstacle that impeded migrating Fraser River salmon. The landslide, discovered in June 2020, disrupted the natural migration of salmon and was only resolved after significant restoration work. Investments in hatchery infrastructure have facilitated the release of additional juvenile sockeye salmon to aid in stock recovery post-landslide, culminating in this year’s remarkable salmon run, marking the first post-restoration brood year return.
With the abundance of salmon this year, DFO affirms that First Nations’ fisheries for subsistence, social, and ceremonial purposes have priority access to the fish. Plans for commercial and recreational fisheries will be evaluated as more data on salmon returns becomes available. Christina Burridge, executive director of the B.C. Seafood Alliance, stresses the importance of sustainable harvesting practices to prevent overcrowding on spawning grounds and ensure the long-term health of salmon populations.
Despite the challenges faced by the fishing industry, Johnston notes the palpable sense of celebration in communities like Cowichan Bay, underscoring the collective joy and gratitude for the bountiful salmon returns observed along the coast.