Pacific Salmon: Ecology and Management of Western Alaska’s Populations

Abstract

<em>Abstract.</em>—Fisheries and Oceans Canada has managed the northern British Columbia troll fishery since 1995 to reduce fishing mortality on Chinook salmon <em>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha </em>stocks from the West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI). This paper describes the fishery and the use of genetic data in mixed-stock analyses for in-season management of Chinook salmon. Microsatellite DNA based stock identification was used in 2006 to regulate the mixed-stock fishery to address WCVI stock specific harvest. Chinook salmon stock compositions were estimated in-season for the 2006 troll fishery harvest and the fishery was managed based on this information to meet catch targets for WCVI Chinook salmon. The best opportunities for the troll fishery to avoid WCVI Chinook salmon stocks were defined spatially (in northern portions of the fishing area) and temporally (in late June and July). The application of stock-specific management allowed the internationally negotiated catch allocation between Canada and the U.S. (Pacific Salmon Treaty) to be reached while reducing the exploitation of WCVI Chinook salmon stocks.