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Introduction to the Yukon River Salmon Agreement

The men and women along the river brought Yukon Territory and Alaska, Canada and the United States together to protect Yukon River salmon, and a way of life in the North for generations to come.

The following is in recognition to the people who through hard work and commitment produced a living document, the “Yukon River Salmon Agreement”. May we follow your lead, by continuing to work together, while always remembering the long path that was taken to get us where we are!

Acknowledgements
2003 Educational Exchange at Alaska/Yukon border
Near the end of the 20th Century, severe decreases in the pacific salmon populations brought together Yukon Territory residents and Alaskans alike, who were concerned for the continued existence of the Yukon River way of life. The situation was bigger than our Yukon River; there was a coast-wide cry for help. Salmon populations were decreasing throughout the Pacific, which motivated Canada and the US, also referred to as the Parties, to start the negotiations on Canadian-origin salmon.
After many years of negotiations Canada and the United States signed the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) in 1985, which replaced the 1937 International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission. The PST has guardianship over Canadian-origin Pacific Salmon Transboundary Rivers. The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) formed under the PST took over the responsibilities of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission to implement the Treaty. Four Regional Panels were created and responsible for:
Pacific Salmon Commission Website

Fraser Panel created in 1985: in-season regulation of Fraser River-origin sockeye and pink salmon fisheries in southern British Columbia and northern Puget Sound .

Northern Panel created in 1985: salmon originating in rivers with mouths entering the Pacific Ocean between Cape Suckling in Alaska and Cape Caution in British Columbia .

Southern Panel created in 1985: salmon originating in rivers with mouths south of Cape Caution , with the exception of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon.

Transboundary Panel created in 1999: salmon originating in the Alsek , Stikine and Taku river systems.

The Parties agreed to further negotiations on Yukon River Salmon. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), attached to the PST in 1985, intended to put many of the general provisions of the treaty into action, contained a section pertaining specifically to the Yukon River.

The MOU required that both countries meet to develop research plans, address conservation concerns, assess stock status and develop preliminary escapement goals, and establish a technical committee to compile available data. The technical committee was formed in January of 1985 and titled the Yukon River Joint Technical Committee or, as it is commonly referred to, the JTC .
Yukon River Salmon Agreement Timeline

In 1995 an interim agreement was signed. This temporary agreement to manage and conserve Canadian-origin Yukon River salmon was put into practice while negotiations continued for a long-term arrangement. Under the interim agreement, the Yukon River Panel and the Restoration & Enhancement Fund were established and the role of the JTC reemphasized in order to execute provisions as set under the PST.

However, due to the inability of both countries to agree on harvest limits, the interim agreement expired just before 1998. There would have been no forward movements in the negotiations without the people’s dedication and hard work to preserve the Yukon River way of life.

Official Signing of the YRSA in Washington, DC - Courtesy of Andy Bassich
Thirty-two years from the start of negotiations and sixteen years after the PST was signed, the draft Yukon River Salmon Agreement (YRSA) was at long last initialed in Whitehorse , Yukon Territory, in March of 2001, by the Cdn and US delegations. After ratification, the Parties officially signed the Yukon River Salmon Agreement in Washington, DC on December 4, 2002 .

Although the YRSA is now Annex IV, Chapter 8 of the PST, the agreement is still its own entity. The broad principles of the PST continue to apply, but in the event that the PST is terminated the YRSA shall be suspended and enter into force under the name “Yukon River Salmon Treaty”.

The Yukon River Salmon Agreement outlines steps to ensure the future for Yukon River salmon and the fisheries through coordinated management, rebuilding plans and habitat protection. The key elements of the agreement are:

  • Involving conservation and abundance based management
  • Catch shares of Chinook and chum salmon
  • A Restoration and Enhancement Fund for Yukon River salmon
  • The formation of the international Yukon River Panel and
  • Yukon River Joint Technical Committee

YRSA Structure