Guy Johnston, an experienced fisherman, is currently out fishing near the British Columbia border with southeast Alaska. In a phone conversation with CBC News, he acknowledged the usual challenges fishermen face in various fishing communities worldwide. However, Johnston expressed joy over this year’s exceptional Fraser River sockeye salmon returns, estimated at 6.3 million fish, a significant increase from the initial pre-season estimate of 2.3 million and over 13 times more than last year’s estimate of 474,000 fish, according to data from the Pacific Salmon Commission and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Johnston, who has been fishing for five decades and serves as the secretary-treasurer of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU-Unifor), emphasized the positive impact of these abundant returns on fishermen’s livelihoods and local communities. The information was shared by UFAWU-Unifor on behalf of independent fish harvesters, representatives from the Area Harvest Committee, and various organizations such as the Pacific Salmon Commission, Fraser River Panel, B.C. Seafood Alliance, and T. Buck Suzuki Foundation.
The surge in salmon returns is credited in part to the ongoing collaborative efforts of First Nations, commercial harvesters, and DFO in rebuilding salmon populations and habitats over the years. Notably, the removal of open-net pen fish farms in the Discovery Islands, which has been a subject of debate, has contributed to the positive trend. Work to phase out these farms began in 2020, with several closures since then, although some open-net fish farms outside the Discovery Islands continue to operate, with the B.C. government postponing their closures from 2025 to 2029.
Bob Chamberlin, chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, highlighted the significance of this year’s salmon increase and emphasized the need for continued efforts to protect wild salmon populations. He stressed that the benefits of these conservation measures extend far beyond economic gains, emphasizing the importance of wild salmon to British Columbians, First Nations, and the environment.
DFO underscored the collective efforts that led to the substantial salmon returns, particularly highlighting the restoration of fish passage at the Big Bar landslide, which had obstructed the migration of Fraser River salmon. The agency mentioned that this year’s return signifies the first brood year following the restoration of the fish passage in 2021.
Given the abundance of salmon, DFO prioritizes First Nations fisheries for food, social, and ceremonial purposes, with further assessment of opportunities for commercial and recreational fisheries based on additional data collection on the salmon returns. Christina Burridge, executive director of the B.C. Seafood Alliance, emphasized the importance of harvesting salmon to prevent overcrowding on spawning grounds, avoiding negative consequences for the fish population.
Amidst the excitement over the record salmon returns, Johnston noted the celebratory atmosphere in Cowichan Bay, where he resides during the off-season, reflecting the widespread joy and appreciation for the bountiful salmon harvest along the coast.
