Since the commencement of the fall chum salmon season in mid-July, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reported that approximately one million salmon have migrated into the Yukon River from the Bering Sea. Despite this surge, experts caution that this uptick does not necessarily indicate a positive trend for this particular salmon species.
In 2020, there was a significant decline in chum salmon numbers, raising concerns among researchers. Sebastian Jones, a wildlife analyst at the Yukon Conservation Society, expressed worry over the lack of understanding regarding the fluctuations in salmon populations. Canadian-origin salmon currently constitute around 12% of the returning fish, lower than the typical range of 20-30%.
Jones acknowledged that while the numbers remain relatively low, there has been an improvement compared to recent years. In 2020, only 25,000 chum salmon crossed into Canada, whereas this year, the expectation is for 100,000 fish to make the journey. However, Jones emphasized that the ideal numbers would range between 150,000 and 250,000 chum salmon entering the Yukon.
Stephanie Peacock, a scientist at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, highlighted the importance of chum salmon as one of the two salmon species returning to the Canadian side of the Yukon River, the other being chinook salmon. She noted that chum salmon typically migrate later than chinook and play a crucial role in providing nutrients during the fall season.
Both species have experienced declines over time, with chinook salmon showing a gradual decrease since the 1990s. Peacock expressed greater concern over the rapid decline of chum salmon within a shorter time frame.
Researchers are closely examining the Bering Sea, the starting point of the salmon’s upstream journey, for potential factors affecting the salmon populations. Changes in the ocean ecosystem, including rising water temperatures and increased industrial trawl fishing, have raised questions about their impact on the salmon population.
While there is cautious optimism regarding the current salmon numbers, Peacock emphasized the need for continued vigilance and a long-term perspective on the declining trends in chum salmon populations in the Yukon.