The Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus (MCC) welcomes yesterday’s announcement from the Government of Canada continuing vital investments in Pacific salmon and committing significant new funding toward habitat protection and nature conservation.

The renewed investment in the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI)—alongside a broader $3.8 billion national nature strategy—signals a strong commitment to rebuilding salmon populations and protecting the ecosystems that sustain them.

“As the first phase of PSSI concludes, the priority now is ensuring this renewed funding delivers real results on the water,” said Greg Knox, BC Programs Director, Wild Salmon Centre Canada. “That means rebuilding salmon populations, protecting critical habitat, and accelerating the transition to selective fisheries that can support both conservation and sustainable harvest.”

The MCC emphasized that the next phase of the PSSI must address critical gaps in fisheries management to ensure long-term recovery. Key priorities identified by the Caucus include:

• Maintaining Core Stock Assessment Programs: Ensuring the continuity of foundational scientific data collection and reporting to accurately track population trends and inform management decisions.
• Advancing Selective Fishing Methods: Prioritizing the development and implementation of gear, locations and practices on known populations that allow for the harvest of abundant salmon runs while minimizing mortality of at-risk populations, stocks and species.
• Independent Compliance Monitoring: Implement independent oversight to ensure strict adherence with regulations intended to minimize mortality of endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead encountered in all fisheries.
• Scaling Habitat Protection: Ramping up restoration efforts, rebuilding plans and protection for key habitats and populations at risk.

“Healthy salmon runs sustain local communities and Indigenous cultures,” the MCC added. “Building on previous investments is essential to this generational effort to reform our fisheries, restore our watersheds and secure the future of Pacific salmon.”

The MCC also welcomes broader federal commitments to expand protected areas, invest in Indigenous Guardians programs, and mobilize conservation financing—key pillars for long-term salmon recovery and coastal resilience.

About the Marine Conservation Caucus: The MCC is a coalition of conservation organizations that was formed to provide a formal channel for the conservation community to engage with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on Pacific fisheries management and conservation issues.