Since mid-July, Fisheries and Oceans Canada have reported that approximately one million chum salmon have migrated into the Yukon River from the Bering Sea. This spike in numbers, however, does not necessarily indicate a positive trend for this specific salmon species.
In 2020, there was a concerning decline in the chum salmon population, leaving researchers puzzled about the sudden increase this year. Sebastian Jones, a wildlife analyst at the Yukon Conservation Society, expressed worry over the lack of understanding of these ecosystem fluctuations.
Canadian-origin salmon constitute around 12% of the returning fish, lower than the usual range of 20-30%. Despite the improvement this year, with about 25,000 chum salmon entering Canada in 2020 compared to a hoped-for 100,000 this year, Jones emphasized that the numbers are still below the desired levels of 150,000 to 250,000.
Stephanie Peacock, a scientist at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, highlighted chum salmon as one of the two salmon species that return to the Canadian side of the Yukon River, along with chinook salmon. She noted that chum salmon migrate later than chinook and play a vital role in providing nutrients in the fall.
Both species have experienced declines over time, with chinook salmon showing a gradual decrease since the 1990s and chum salmon’s decline raising more immediate concerns. Researchers are investigating the Bering Sea, where the Yukon River meets the ocean, to understand the impacts of changing conditions like rising water temperatures and increased industrial fishing.
While there is cautious optimism about the current salmon numbers, Peacock stressed the importance of considering the long-term decline and maintaining vigilance over the well-being of Yukon chum salmon.