Stand up for B.C. salmon
In 2022, commercial fleets in Southeast Alaska harvested well over 2 million vitally important B.C. salmon—many from populations that are in trouble. As our wild salmon runs decline, Alaska's impact rises.
Unlike salmon fisheries in B.C., Alaskan fishers aren’t required to report their catch of non-target species like chinook and steelhead or release these fish alive. Alaskan fishers are likely throwing thousands of B.C. fish overboard DEAD every year. The out-of-date Pacific Salmon Treaty between Canada and the U.S. allows Alaska to get away with this, undermining our efforts to protect and rebuild our endangered fish stocks.
The solution is to renegotiate the Treaty. However, that requires Canadian politicians to stand up for our salmon and the communities that depend upon them. Since salmon contribute immeasurably to our society and are the backbone of B.C.'s ecosystems, this shouldn't be hard.
Senior Canadian leaders like the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister manage our relationship with the Americans. Our Fisheries Minister sets the tone at the Treaty Table. None of them have said a word in public. Alaskan politicians are standing up for their fishing communities. It's time our politicians stood up for us. Send your letter today. Tell them to defend our salmon and the communities that depend on them.