VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada has confirmed that the numbers of pink salmon returning to a number of streams in the Broughton Archipelago in 2002 were unusually low. The Department is extremely concerned with this situation and has begun work to explore potential causes for these low returns.

As part of this work, Departmental representatives attended a recent meeting on the issue, hosted by the Pacific Fisheries Resources Conservation Council (PFRCC), in Campbell River on October 28, 2002. At this session, departmental scientists presented information on historic pink salmon trends and identified some potential causes for the low returns. Other participants made presentations on sea lice work done in the Broughton Archipelago and sea lice findings in other international literature. Key points from the presentations included:

2002 Returns and Historic Trends
* Preliminary reports show that escapements (the number of fish that return to the rivers to spawn) were unexpectedly low in a number of streams in the area compared to the parental escapement of 2000 and a number of other years.
* Returns of pink salmon in 2000 to the area were exceptional ­ roughly eight times the historical average and twice the previous maximum return observed in the past 50 years.
* Escapements and survival of other pink salmon populations outside the Broughton Archipelago appear to have been average or above average in 2002.

Possible Causes
* Flooding and other freshwater events, including excessive pink salmon densities on the spawning grounds and disease outbreaks.
* Poor marine survival conditions.
* Historic records have shown that in some cases, very high returns of pink salmon in this area have been followed by low returns the next generation. This phenomenon has also been observed elsewhere for pink and other species of salmon.
* Possible impacts of sea lice infestations in the area.

The PFRCC is reviewing the information provided at the October 28th meeting and will be providing a report with recommendations to the federal and provincial governments. DFO continues to work with industry and stakeholders to ensure protection and conservation of the wild pink salmon populations.

Contacts:

Greg Savard
Central Coast Area Director
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(250) 902-0481