Canada-B.C. Agreement on Pacific Salmon Fisheries

Although the federal government has constitutional responsibility over fish (exercised through the Fisheries Act), the government of B.C. has a range of powers affecting fish habitat.  Moreover, the B.C. government has maintained an active interest in salmon and other fish.  In order to address this overlap of interests and jurisdictions, the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding in 1997 called the Canada-B.C. Agreement on the Management of the Pacific Salmon Fishery Issues.

The agreement has four main parts.  These are related to:

·         Policy Development – The Agreement creates a Canada-B.C. Council of Fisheries Ministers, consisting of the federal and provincial Minister of Fisheries, supported by civil servants from both levels of government.  This “Council” is intended to explore areas of cooperation between the two governments on salmon fisheries, as well as to facilitate communication on the development of policies by both governments.  The Agreement also sets out a process for communicating on the development of policies by both levels of government, and especially the allocation of salmon by the federal government. 

·         New Structures – The Agreement creates an expert “Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council” to advise the Council of Fisheries Ministers on conservation and sustainable use of Salmon.  This Conservation Council may make reports on salmon fisheries from time to time. In addition, the Agreement establishes a Fisheries Renewal Advisory Board, including stakeholder and community representation, to coordinate the restoration and enhancement of salmon habitat. 

·         Salmon and Habitat Protection – The governments agreed to work together on protecting salmon habitat and managing the salmon stocks.

·         Industry and Community Development – Both governments agreed to work together on promoting the development of the salmon fishing industry and salmon dependent communities. 

The Agreement forms the basis of much of the cooperation on salmon issues between the two levels of government.  Although not law (and not legally enforceable by a member of the public), a knowledge the Memorandum may be useful to watershed protection advocates working on salmon habitat and related issues. 

Pursuant to the Agreement, Fisheries and Oceans and the B.C. Government signed a more detailed Canada-B.C. Fish Habitat Management Agreement in 2000.

Related Guide Pages:

·         Canada-B.C. Fish Habitat Management Agreement

·         Fisheries Act (Canada)

·         Fish Habitat Values

For more information about the Canada-B.C. Agreement on Pacific Salmon Fisheries:

·         An electronic copy of the Agreement on Pacific Salmon Fisheries