Stratgey to save Pacific Salmon stocks

Roy L Hales/CKTZ news - On June 8th, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced the guiding principles of what may be largest government action to save pacific salmon stocks in Canadian history.

“Pacific salmon stocks are in steep decline due to climate change, habitat loss and other increasing threats. Coastal First Nations, stewardship organizations and harvester groups have been calling for urgent, dramatic action to save these populations and today our government is launching the new $647.1 million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative,” she said.

This program is to rest on four key pillars: Conservation and stewardship; Enhanced hatchery production; Harvest transformation;
and Integrated management and collaboration.

While the challenge is great, the government says it will work with a wide range of Indigenous partners, harvesters, recreational fishers, stakeholders, and communities who depend on Pacific salmon.

“Together, we can do this,” said Jordan.

The announcement comes at a time when the Liberal party has declared  a "state of electoral urgency," a procedural move that allows it to speed up the nomination processes for candidates in the next federal election. According to the CBC, speeding up the pace of recruitment is the latest sign that there may be an election this fall.

Max Thaysen, acting Director of the Friends of Cortes Island, and Aaron Hill, Executive Director of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society share their perceptions of this announcement.

Photo credit: close-up of Chum Salmon face courtesy Watershed Watch Salmon Society