Salmon populations in decline across B.C. and Yukon: report [Video]

A new report says that Pacific salmon populations are in decline across B.C. and the Yukon, though there are also some signs of hope. 

On Thursday, the Vancouver-based Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) released its State of Salmon report, which covers all species of Pacific salmon and steelhead across nine regions in the country. The report considers 41 combinations of regions and salmon species, and found that more than 70 per cent of them are below their long-term average.

“In some regions, only a handful of wild spawners are returning,” said Katrina Connors, director of the foundation’s salmon watersheds program. 

Chum salmon and steelhead are struggling the most as they are below their long-term average in all regions, according to the report. 

Meanwhile, it found that the northern regions are seeing the most widespread declines. 

“We often have a bit of a sentiment that the northern parts of our province and the Yukon territory are going to provide a …