DFO’s Commitment to the Conservation and Sustainability of West Coast Salmon

September 7, 2009

The lower than expected returns in certain West Coast salmon runs have generated significant interest and concern in the Department and among all Canadians. Questions have been raised about DFO’s commitment to funding research and sustainable fisheries, particularly the Fraser River sockeye.The Department’s first priority is the conservation and long-term sustainability of sockeye in managing the fishery. Accordingly, the Department has annually invested significant funds to carry out vital scientific research and monitoring.
2002-2009 Annual Expenditures for West Coast Salmon Research

• 2002-2003 $17.9M
• 2003-2004 $16.8M
• 2004-2005 $16.3M
• 2005-2006 $16.1M
• 2006-2007 $16.5M
• 2007-2008 $15.9M
• 2008-2009 $17.0M

This 7-year period reflects a sustained and consistent level of federal funding, and was preceded by a significant, five-year federal aid program the Department introduced in 1998 to aid fisheries on both the West and East Coasts. The Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring (CFAR) program was established to restore the health of Canada’s Pacific salmon fisheries through a $400 million investment for the West Coast.

The ’02-’09 figures do not include associated Coast Guard costs incurred by vessels supporting science and monitoring activities . Internal organizational changes to the Department make year-on-year comparisons for years prior to 2002 not comparable.

DFO continues to monitor the situation closely and will work with the Pacific Salmon Commission and the Fraser River Panel to support the conservation and sustainable use of this resource.

For more information on the five-year CFAR program, please see: Building First Nations Capacity with Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program (PDF version, 148 Kb)