Saving a seat for salmon—Yukon River Chinook Rebuilding Strategy

The strategy includes: 

• Background information on the lifecycle and habitat requirements of Yukon River Chinook salmon and a biophysical description of the watershed;
• Summaries of the relationships with, and the governance and stewardshipof, Yukon River Chinook salmon. It outlines the cultural and stewardship relationships with Chinook salmon, the jurisdictional and management authorities involved, relevant organizations, and the laws and policies that inform rebuilding efforts;
• Descriptions of the history of Yukon River Chinook salmon, including observations, and the impacts of the decline, as well as summaries of factors impacting each life stage of Yukon River Chinook salmon that are contributing to population decline;
• Documentation of the collaborative process for developing The Strategy;
• Establishment of population rebuilding targets and outlines of goals for a future vision of the ecosystem, relationships, management, and self-sustaining Chinook salmon populations. These goals are supported by objectives and possible actions that may help achieve this vision; and
• Description of an approach for reviewing the rebuilding process.

key aspects of the strategy development process: 

Workshops

Participants were invited to attend the first workshop in November 2023. The workshop targeted those involved with salmon at a technical level, and were held twice per year with the final workshop taking place in November 2025. These workshops were attended by Yukon First Nations, Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee (YSSC), Yukon First Nation Salmon Stewardship Alliance (YFNSSA), Yukon Government (YG), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada, local knowledge holders, and consultants. 

Facilitation

‍West Coast Aquatic (WCA) is a non-profit organization that served as an independent third-party facilitator for the strategy development process.

summary of issues facing canadian-origin yukon river chinook salmon

This report brings together scientific and technical information about the challenges facing Yukon River Chinook salmon that originate in Canada. It uses a framework developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to identify and compare the main factors limiting salmon populations. The framework provides a structured way to look at and compare issues affecting salmon across the Yukon and British Columbia. This report was created to help governments and organizations decide what actions to take to rebuild Chinook salmon populations. It also highlights important gaps in knowledge that may need more research.

stock assessment of yukon river chinook salmon (oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in 2024

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has requested that reference points consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009) be developed for Yukon River Chinook salmon. This request includes a review of possible fishing scenarios and rebuilding actions for Yukon River Chinook salmon that could contribute to stock rebuilding, and that the stock status be assessed relative to the reference points. This Science Advisory Report is from the regional peer review of June 4-5, 2025, on Estimating Precautionary Approach Reference Points and Assessing Consequences of Harvest Control Rules for Canadian Origin Yukon Chinook Salmon.

Steering Committee

‍'Action While Planning’ working groups have been established to act on priorities identified to help salmon in the short term, for the long term and while working to complete the strategy. Following the Spring 2024 workshop, four working grous were established to address the following priority actions: 

‍The Steering Committee is responsible for overseeing and guiding the direction of action and encouraging collaboration. The committee members consist of First Nations technical representatives, YFNSSA, YSSC, DFO, and YG. The Steering Committee met bi-weekly and was facilitated by West Coast Aquatic.

‘Action While Planning’ Working Groups

Habitat data and monitoring

This group undertook habitat and data research activities, specifically focused on identification of juvenile salmon overwintering habitats, standardization of temperature monitoring, and identification of cold water refugia.

marine issues

This group worked to understand the impacts affecting Yukon River Chinook salmon in the marine environment, as well as the governance of the Bering Sea

raising the profile of salmon

This group identified opportunities for stewardship, outreach, and education about Yukon River Chinook salmon.

regulatory

This group reviewed relevant regulatory and policy mechanisms for the protection of salmon and salmon habitat to identify areas for improvement.