More than 180 stakeholders attended a video conference January 16 hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) entitled State of Salmon – 2024 Preliminary Salmon Outlook. Fisheries committee chair Ken Franzen represented the B.C. Wildlife Federation. The meeting heard that salmon face many challenges including the effects of climate change, drought, forest fires and the oceanic blob, which affects the food chain.
Projected returns that look promising for the coming year for sockeye include Alsek, Taku, and Nass Rivers, along with West Coast Vancouver Island and Okanagan. Fair returns are projected for the Stikine, Summer Harrison and Chilliwack runs.
Chinook returns appear promising on the Alsek, enhanced West Coast Vancouver Island, some East Coast Vancouver Island, South Thompson, and enhanced Chilliwack. DFO is also optimistic about coho in the Taku, Skeena, Nass and some Vancouver Island runs. Most other runs of sockeye, Chinook coho and chum are either predicted to be poor or are data deficient. Pink returns are predicted to be poor across the board.