Since the commencement of the fall chum salmon season in mid-July, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reported an estimated one million salmon entering the Yukon River from the Bering Sea. However, experts caution that this uptick does not necessarily indicate a positive trend in the population of this specific salmon species.

In 2020, a significant decline in chum salmon numbers was documented, raising concerns among researchers. Sebastian Jones, a wildlife analyst at the Yukon Conservation Society, expressed unease over the fluctuating numbers, highlighting the lack of understanding regarding the reasons behind these variations.

Canadian-origin salmon represent around 12 percent of the returning fish, below the usual range of 20 to 30 percent, according to researchers. Despite the improvement in numbers this year, Jones noted that the current figure, though better than recent years, still falls short of the desired levels.

Last year, approximately 25,000 chum salmon crossed into Canada, whereas this year, there is hope for 100,000 fish to make the journey. Jones emphasized that the ideal scenario would see between 150,000 and 250,000 chum salmon entering the Yukon.

Stephanie Peacock, a scientist at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, discussed the importance of chum salmon as one of the two salmon species returning to the Canadian side of the Yukon River, alongside chinook salmon. Peacock highlighted the later migration of chum salmon compared to chinook and their vital contribution of nutrients in the fall.

Both chum and chinook salmon populations have experienced declines over time, with concerns heightened by the rapid decrease in chum salmon numbers in recent years. Researchers are closely examining the Bering Sea, the starting point for the salmon’s journey upstream, for potential factors influencing their populations.

While Peacock remains cautiously optimistic about the current numbers, she stressed the importance of acknowledging the long-term decline in salmon populations and the ongoing concerns for Yukon chum salmon. Researchers are actively investigating the ecosystem changes in the Bering Sea that may be impacting the salmon populations, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.