WiLD Blog

SeaChoice, Canada’s sustainable seafood organization, has categorized this year’s salmon stocks with the symbol of caution, “yellow”, with concern for most of the various stocks’ populations. All commercially fished species in British Columbia are experiencing an ongoing population decline, due in part to optimism, changing ocean conditions, habitat loss, and past mismanagement.1

SeaChoice is quoted as stating “although the overall ranking for BC Pacific salmon is yellow, there is a diversity of fisheries and salmon populations within this category.”2 Only one of the sockeye salmon sources, the Nass River sockeye, is said to have a population that may experience a return on its population, which leaves the conscientious consumer having to determine the source of the salmon. Although this may be determined on the British Columbia coast, once the fish is transported inland and sold to a large retail grocer, it can become very difficult to determine the source.

Two Sockeye salmon stocks and one Coho salmon stock are listed as endangered by a “federal scientific body” however neither are protected under Canada’ Species at Risk Act. Canada’s Fisheries and Oceans has a Wild Salmon Policy, however, as stated on the SeaChoice website “it has not yet been effectively implemented.”3 According to the David Suzuki Foundation, “a recent independent scientific review has identified overharvest of the Skeena River sockeye salmon and steelhead trout in recent years.”4

SeaChoice states “spawning Pacific salmon provide far ranging ecosystem values resulting from the transfer of nutrients to marine and terrestrial plants and animals. Salmon fisheries management has not yet accounted for the broader ecosystem values of salmon. Many freshwater habitats have been degraded or lost
through forestry, agriculture, or development which, when combined with narrow
geographic areas for unique stocks, is cause for concern.”5

The exploitation and vulnerability of these fish are indicative of the state of fisheries everywhere, and should remind Canadians and North Americans of the memorable collapse of the Grand Banks cod stocks in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. We cannot afford to leave the state of our ecosystems to corporations and governments; it is up to grassroots organizations and citizens to provide the driving force for change to sustain and recover the population of one of our most important species and food source.

1) http://www.seachoice.org/files/asset/file/116/2008_Pacific_Salmon_Ratings.pdf
2) http://www.seachoice.org/files/asset/file/116/2008_Pacific_Salmon_Ratings.pdf
3) http://www.seachoice.org/files/asset/file/116/2008_Pacific_Salmon_Ratings.pdf
4) http://www.davidsuzuki.org/latestnews/dsfnews06130802.asp
5) http://www.seachoice.org/files/asset/file/116/2008_Pacific_Salmon_Ratings.pdf

Posted by:
Lin Heidt, WiLDCOAST Volunteer in Canada