[LOGO] Salmon Sub-Committee


Employment Opportunity — Office Manager (click for work description)



SSC Accomplishments

The Salmon Sub-Committee has taken action on a variety of issues over the past several years to ensure that salmon resources are preserved for future generations. Some key accomplishments follow:

 

The Aboriginal Fishery

Within the Yukon Territory there are numerous Aboriginal fisheries which provide for the food, social and ceremonial needs of the Yukon's First Nations. The Salmon Sub-Committee recognizes the importance of these fisheries and places them second in priority only to conservation of the salmon resource as mandated by the Umbrella Final Agreement and Yukon First Nation Final Agreements.

With this in mind, the SSC is committed to ensuring that the needs of the Yukon's First Nations continue to be met, and that traditional knowledge is incorporated into management plans for other fisheries within the territory. The aboriginal fishery in the Yukon has a long history of prudent, needs-based use, and the Salmon Sub-Committee commends and supports the continuation of this careful and conscientious management of Yukon salmon.

A seven-year harvest study of the Yukon River Drainage is currently underway to determine the extent to which the aboriginal fishery meets the needs of each Yukon First Nation. In order to gain a more thorough understanding of First Nations' basic needs, an historical record is being compiled which documents traditional fishing sites, methods, and levels of effort. In addition, the harvest study examines such questions as individual access to fishing gear and transportation, estimates of annual fish requirements for individuals and families, and access to fish through family members and relations. As the harvest study enters its sixth year, the Salmon Sub-Committee will continue to follow its results with interest in anticipation of the recommendations the study will put forth. Upon the completion of the harvest study, the Basic Needs level will be negotiated between Yukon River First Nations and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. For details of the results of the 2000 Yukon River Drainage Basin Harvest Study, please contact the SSC salmon@yukonsalmoncommittee.ca

 

The Sport Fishery

The Salmon Conservation Catch Card

The Yukon is a great place for sport fishing, and no species is more highly prized than Yukon salmon.

In 1998, after public consultation and discussion with Yukon anglers, the Salmon Sub-Committee recommended to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that anglers wishing to fish for wild salmon be required to purchase a Salmon Conservation Catch Card.

As of the 1999 season, new regulations came into effect that allow sport anglers to share in the responsibility and reap the benefits of a healthy salmon harvest. In addition to obtaining a Yukon Sport Fishing Licence, sport salmon anglers must purchase a Salmon Conservation Catch Card. Anglers must have the card in their possession while angling for salmon, and must keep the card up to date with all required information. The Salmon Conservation Catch Card provides a cost-effective method of assessing the annual sport harvest of salmon. Any revenues in excess of operating costs will be used by the Salmon Sub-Committee to fund salmon management and enhancement programs that are not already being funded by the federal government.

See the results of the "SSC Responsible Fishing For Youth Contest" by clicking here.

In the spring of 2001, the following regulation changes came into effect with regard to the Salmon Conservation Catch Card:

  1. Yukon Seniors (aged 65+) could obtain a Salmon Conservation Catch Card free of charge;
  2. The Salmon Conservation Catch Card return deadline was extended from October 31st to November 30th

These changes to the Yukon Territory Fishery Regulations came about as a result of input the SSC received from the public during consultations.

During the 2001 season, the Salmon Sub-Committee ran a Responsible Fishing for Youth contest, with funds generated from the Salmon Conservation Catch Card. Students from schools across the Yukon submitted their pictures and essays.

 

Domestic Salmon Fishery

The Domestic Fishery Working Group

Through surveys, reports and public meetings conducted by the Salmon Sub-Committee in 1996 and 1997, it was determined that many Yukoners supported the concept of a domestic salmon fishery. There were, however, some groups and individuals who expressed concerns and questions about this fishery, its requirements, regulations and implementation.

In response to these concerns, the Salmon Sub-Committee formed a Working Group in 1998 to examine the outstanding issue of domestic salmon fishing in the Yukon River Basin. This group has focused on a number of objectives. It has reviewed and assessed domestic fisheries in both Canada and the United States, has worked towards establishing guidelines on eligibility and operation of this fishery, and has examined how best a domestic fishery would operate within the provisions of the Umbrella Final Agreement.

The Domestic Fishery Working Group has recognized the need for further consultation with all parties involved including local First Nations, Federal and Territorial governments. Investigation into the feasibility of a Yukon River Basin domestic salmon fishery will continue in the future.

 

Commercial Salmon Fishery

Retiring Five Commercial Licences

Under the UFA and First Nation Final Agreements there was a clear commitment to add eight new commercial licenses for aboriginal fishers to the Yukon River Commercial Salmon Fishery. Such an increase, however, would ensure that the fishery was less economically viable for all its participants. It was thus recommended by the Salmon Sub-Committee that up to eight licenses needed to be retired from the fishery.

In April of 1997, the Salmon Sub-Committee recommended to the Regional Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, that the DFO offer to contribute $10,000 to fishers who voluntarily gave up their future eligibility for a commercial license. In July of 1997, letters were sent to the 27 licensed commercial fishers on the Yukon River informing them of the program.

To date, licence retirement has been effective and five commercial fishers have agreed to retire their licenses in exchange for compensation. Three additional commercial salmon licences have been retired due to failure of the licensees to meet licensing conditions. The License Retirement Program will ensure that, as stock rebuilding programs proceed, the health of the salmon stocks and the viability and sustainability of the fishery continue to.

Proposed Regulations Change

The SSC is currently considering a change to the Yukon Territory Fishery Regulations whereby the requirement for commercial fishers to submit a written application for licence prior to March 31 of the year he/she wishes to have the licence.

Consultations for this regulation are ongoing. If you have any comments regarding this proposed regulatory amendment please contact us at salmon@yukonsalmoncommittee.ca

Habitat Issues

The SSC researches and takes action on a broad spectrum of habitat issues. Some of the issues we have recently explored include:

  • Water Licences
  • Blue Book
  • Yukon Placer Authorization
  • United Keno Hill Mine
  • Dawson City Sewage
  • BYG Mine
  • Fuel Spills
  • Blind Creek water quality and reclamation
  • Whitehorse Rapids
  • Viceroy mine
  • Blind Creek
  • Ketza mine
  • Land Use Planning
  • Anvil Range mine
  • Dublin Gultch
  • Yukon Mineral Strategy
  • Yukon Waters Act
  • Yukon Queen
 

Harvest Study

2000-2001 marked the sixth year of the Yukon River Harvest Study. The Study was initiated in 1996 under section 16.10.3 of the Umbrella Final Agreement. The Basic Needs Allocation for salmon for Yukon River First Nations will be negotiated following the completion of the study in 2002. Salmon Sub-Committee members, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, comprise the Steering Committee, which directs and oversees the study.

 

Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program

The Salmon Sub-Committee has partnered with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to oversee the Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program (HCSP) in the Yukon. Through a Joint Management Team of SSC members and F&OC staff, eight Habitat Stewards have been hired to work in communities throughout the Yukon on watershed management planning and habitat protection activities. This program has been invaluable in strengthening partnerships and improving community capacity. The Yukon HCSP is one of the most successful in the Pacific Region, and is viewed as a model for other jurisdictions.

 

Other

 

Regulations

The SSC is mandated to make recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and to Yukon First Nations on "all matters related to salmon, their habitats and management, including legislation, research, policies and programs.

Some of the initiatives that the SSC have undertaken with regard to the regulatory process include:

 

Consultation/Communications/Public Outreach

The Salmon Sub-Committee is committed to improving communication between itself, other agencies, First Nations and the public. The SSC also endeavours to raise public awareness of its activities and to promote public education on issues of concern. Some initiatives the SSC has undertaken in these areas include:

 

Fisheries Management

A key responsibility of the Salmon Sub-Committee is consulting with the public and making recommendations with regard to fisheries management. Each year, the SSC, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, conducts a series of public meetings to gather input for the creation of Integrated Fisheries Management Plans for the Yukon, Porcupine and Alsek Rivers. These plans are an integral part of the successful management of Yukon's salmon fisheries. Following public consultation, the SSC makes recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans regarding the contents of these plans.

In 2001, the SSC and DFO developed a process and protocol for the development of fisheries management plans. The objective of this initiative was to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both DFO and SSC and to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the development of these plans.

Also in 2001, SSC and DFO partnered to form the Alsek Working Group. This group was formed to improve the quality of First Nations and stakeholder input in the development of the Alsek management plan. The group had representation from First Nations, SSC and DFO. Working Groups for the Yukon and Porcupine Rivers are planned for next year.

For more information, comments or reports please contact us at the address below.

Salmon Sub-Committee
c/o 100-419 Range Road
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 3V1

Phone: (867) 393-6725 or (867) 393-6724
Fax: (867) 393-6738
E-mail: salmon@yukonsalmoncommittee.ca

These reports are available from the Salmon Sub-Committee: