Salmon advocates call for fishing agreement reforms

Salmon advocates from across the West Coast gathered in Sequim to demand changes to international fishing agreements. The group, organized by Let Our Salmon Come Home, argues that current frameworks allow excessive Chinook salmon harvesting before fish can return to home rivers to reproduce.

The rally coincided with the Pacific Salmon Commission’s fall meeting. The commission is a 16-person bilateral body composed of representatives from Canada and the United States. While the 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty remains in place, the two nations are currently renegotiating specific fishing agreements regarding harvest sharing, conservation measures, and stock management. These negotiations are expected to continue through December 2027, with new agreements set for implementation in January 2029.

In British Columbia, efforts are also underway to address declines in Upper Fraser Chinook salmon. The Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance and the Pacific Salmon Foundation have published a recovery plan that combines Indigenous Knowledge with scientific research. While recent data shows a steady increase in salmon abundance since 2019, researchers emphasize that long-term recovery remains uncertain.