News Release
July 29, 2024

Stop Alaskan Interceptions on Non-Alaskan-Origin Salmon! UBCIC Calls for Action

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – July 29, 2024) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling upon the governments of Canada and British Columbia to acknowledge and take immediate action on the severe impacts of Alaskan interceptions on non-Alaskan-origin salmon. UBCIC calls upon the governments of the United States of America, Canada, Alaska, and British Columbia to work together through multilateral cooperation to fully ascertain the impacts of Alaskan interceptions on non-Alaskan-origin salmon populations and to account for all catches and discards.

In 2023, Alaskan Fishers killed over 3 million B.C. salmon. The Pacific Salmon Treaty, established in 1985, provides little protection against Alaskan interception of Canadian salmon. Canadian salmon stock has declined hugely since the signing of the treaty. Alaska now has the only major interception fisheries in place that target salmon and steelhead returning to Canadian waters.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated, “Salmon are such a critical component of life for First Nations in B.C. We have sacrificed to maintain our limited stock in this province. It is frustrating to see the number of salmon unable to return to our waters due to fishing in Alaska. The UBCIC Chiefs Council calls on all levels of government in this province and in Alaska to take this issue seriously. They must reduce interception fishing to levels that support conservation and the rebuilding of our depleted salmon populations.”

By Resolution 2024-26, the UBCIC Chiefs Council acknowledges the serious impacts of Alaskan interceptions on non-Alaskan-origin salmon and calls for the use of all available diplomatic and economic tools to prevent Alaska from further overharvesting of Pacific salmon originating from our traditional territorial lands and waters.

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

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