Since mid-July, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reported that approximately one million chum salmon have migrated into the Yukon River from the Bering Sea during the fall season. Despite this surge, experts caution that the uptick does not necessarily indicate a positive trend in the population of this salmon species.

In 2020, a significant decline in chum salmon numbers was observed, raising concerns among researchers. Sebastian Jones, a wildlife analyst at the Yukon Conservation Society, expressed worry over the lack of clarity regarding the fluctuations in salmon numbers, highlighting the limited understanding and control over these ecosystems.

Canadian-origin salmon make up around 12% of the returning fish, below the usual range of 20-30%. While this figure remains lower than desired, Jones noted an improvement compared to recent years, with hopes of 100,000 chum salmon crossing the border this year, up from 25,000 in the previous year.

Despite the progress, Jones emphasized that the current numbers are still below the ideal range of 150,000 to 250,000 chum salmon returning to the Yukon. Stephanie Peacock, a scientist at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, underscored the importance of chum salmon as a late-migrating species providing crucial nutrients in the fall alongside chinook salmon, both of which have experienced declines.

Researchers are investigating the Bering Sea, the starting point of the salmon’s journey, where changes like rising water temperatures and increased industrial fishing activities have been observed. Peacock urged cautious optimism, emphasizing the need to address the long-term decline in Yukon chum salmon populations despite the recent increase in numbers.