Technical review of Yukon River Canadian-origin Chinook salmon Interim Management Escapement Goal

Management of Pacific salmon has long been a matter of common concern to the United States and Canada. In 2001, after many years of negotiation, the Yukon River Salmon Agreement was signed and it represented an international commitment to the restoration, conservation and management of salmon upon which Yukon River communities depend. This project is essential to ensure the future for the Yukon River salmon fishery through harvest sharing, research and habitat protection.

The Joint Technical Committee (JTC) is planning to conduct a technical review of the Yukon River Canadian-origin Chinook salmon Interim Management Escapement Goal established by the Yukon River Panel (Panel) in 2010 and implemented annually through the 2019 salmon management season. This review will provide the Panel with recommendations and supporting documentation to establish a biologically-based and scientifically-defensible escapement goal for this stock, pursuant to the Yukon River Salmon Agreement. The review process is estimated to take approximately three years. The review will be facilitated by the JTC and will engage subject-matter experts from the JTC membership, management entities in the U.S. and Canada, non-agency organizations, and contractors as needed. The JTC review will be vetted through a scientific peer review process and published. Completion of this review will require regular engagement with the Panel and should include opportunities for the Panel and management entities to engage with stakeholders in the U.S. and Canada.


Products will include published peer-reviewed report(s) and presentations by the JTC to the Panel. This review will provide the Panel with recommendation and supporting documentation to establish a biologically-based and scientifically defensible escapement goal for this stock, pursuant to the Yukon River Salmon Agreement.