Since mid-July, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reported that around one million chum salmon have migrated into the Yukon River from the Bering Sea during the fall season. Despite this surge, researchers caution that it does not necessarily indicate a positive trend in the population of this salmon species.
In 2020, a significant decline in chum salmon numbers was documented, raising concerns among experts. Sebastian Jones, a wildlife analyst at the Yukon Conservation Society, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the fluctuations in salmon numbers, illustrating the limited understanding and control over these ecosystems.
According to researchers, Canadian-origin salmon constitute approximately 12% of the returning fish, a lower percentage compared to the usual range of 20-30%. While this figure remains below ideal levels, Jones expressed some optimism, noting an improvement from previous years.
In the previous season, about 25,000 chum salmon crossed into Canada, whereas this year, the target is set at 100,000 fish. However, Jones emphasized that the desired range of 150,000 to 250,000 chum salmon entering the Yukon has not yet been reached.
Stephanie Peacock, a scientist at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, emphasized the importance of chum salmon as a key source of nutrients during the later part of the fall season. She noted the declining trends in both chum and chinook salmon populations over the years, with the decline in chum salmon numbers raising more immediate concerns.
Researchers are currently investigating the Bering Sea ecosystem, where the Yukon River meets the ocean, to understand the factors affecting the salmon population. Changes such as rising water temperatures and increased industrial fishing activities have raised uncertainties about their impact on the ecosystem.
While Peacock remains cautiously optimistic about the current situation, she stressed the need for continued vigilance and long-term conservation efforts due to the significant decline in Yukon chum salmon population over time.