The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) was launched in 2021 to protect, conserve, and restore wild Pacific salmon in British Columbia and Yukon. On April 7, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an additional $412.9 million to continue actions to protect and restore wild Pacific salmon under the PSSI for another 5 years.
The first phase of PSSI (2021-2026) laid the foundation for long-term recovery by working closely with Indigenous Peoples, provincial and territorial governments, harvesters, stewardship organizations, environmental groups, academia, and communities across the Pacific region. Key results are outlined below.
- Worked with more than 40 First Nations and Indigenous fisheries organizations on 60+ Indigenous Harvest Transformation projects, advancing selective fishing methods, improved monitoring, and reduced impacts on vulnerable wild salmon stocks.
- Supported over 443 partners to deliver habitat restoration, emergency drought response, and conservation projects across British Columbia and Yukon.
- Established a trilateral accord between Canada, British Columbia, and B.C. First Nations to align conservation, protection, and recovery activities for wild Pacific salmon.
- Collaborated with 60 partners in 75 areas during summer 2024 to advance urgent drought related restoration work, helping wild salmon reach critical spawning habitat.
Modernizing hatcheries and advancing science
- Invested in building new conservation hatcheries and retrofits to 70+ existing hatcheries, and expanded conservation enhancement partnerships.
- Provided funding to maintain and operate 100+ partner-run hatcheries, supporting community-based stewardship.
- Improved hatchery science and production processes to rebuild priority salmon stocks and support sustainable fisheries.
- Increased research capacity to better understand climate impacts, ecosystem changes, and factors limiting salmon population rebuilding.
Transforming fisheries management
- Retired 538 commercial salmon licences, reducing the total number of eligible licences by 40.6% to improve long-term sustainability and economic viability of harvesters remaining in the industry.
- Tested and evaluated 6 mark-selective fisheries to support sustainable harvest opportunities while protecting stocks of concern.
- Supported 60+ Indigenous selective harvest projects, enabling more targeted and responsible fishing practices.
- Disposed of 695,000 kg of fishing gear to reduce marine debris and improve ocean health.
Restoring habitat and building climate resilience
- Restored 15.7 million m² of wild Pacific salmon habitat, supporting healthier ecosystems and improved spawning and rearing conditions.
- Supported 73 projects through the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) to protect and restore salmon populations and habitats.
Protecting salmon beyond Canada's borders
- Through Operation North Pacific Guard, gathered evidence in 2025 of 90 potential violations of international agreements of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the North Pacific.
- Alongside satellite and aerial surveillance, convened, for the first time, a joint patrol aboard a Canadian vessel with embarked officers from Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United States.
Looking ahead
The renewed PSSI (2026-2031) will build on these achievements, and introduce new initiates to support wild Pacific Salmon, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, provincial and territorial governments, harvesters, stewardship organizations, environmental groups, academia, and communities across the Pacific region. Together, these efforts will help reverse long-term declines and support the recovery of wild Pacific salmon for generations to come.
