Fraser River sockeye salmon: data synthesis and cumulative impacts

There was widespread agreement with the PSC report that the 2009 and long-term declines insockeye productivity were likely due to the effects of multiple stressors and factors. Futureefforts should focus not only on increasing our basic biological knowledge of sockeye salmon,but should also use information gained from the cumulative effects assessment to determinepriority research areas. Certain monitoring needs (research questions) can be answered with asingle (one-time, annual) study; however, others require long-term effort and monitoring. Astrong emphasis should be placed on studying the entire life cycle of sockeye salmon along withtheir potential stressors. It was noted that in some cases, additional sample collection would bestraightforward to implement by simply augmenting current data collection efforts. Datacollection and monitoring efforts could be extended to other salmon species as well, increasingthe potential for comparative research. Unlike the PSC report, participants felt that researchefforts should be expanded outside the Strait of Georgia as a priority area, as well as increasingefforts inside the Strait.One of the resounding issues throughout the workshop was researchers’ difficulty in obtainingand understanding data from the existing databases. Considerable effort should be spent buildingand maintaining an integrated database, with focused research and monitoring goals in mind. Thedatabase should include the historical sockeye data with clear metadata as well as data fromcurrent and future monitoring. In order for the database to be useful to scientists, it would need tobe regularly updated and maintained. As mentioned in the PSC report, it would be critical tocreate a framework that would allow simultaneous coordination of research across disciplines,allow for recognition of the potential for cost-effective joint sampling programs, and promoteidentification of synergistic effects and interactions.The decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River is an issue that has captivated the province ofBritish Columbia. Participants felt that the proposed increase in data collection and monitoringshould be followed by transparent dissemination of information to scientists and non-scientistson a regular basis. Given the potential funding of new initiatives and future findings, an annualreport on the State of the Salmon should be compiled and made publicly available.More specifically, the extended research program should be co-ordinated with a U.S. programcovering those areas of the Alaskan continental shelf containing high sockeye densities. Sincemuch of the research will augment existing research programs, funding of current programsshould be maintained. Further, recommendations for research should be directly compared tocurrent monitoring and research to determine expenditures and assess their relative merits. Asemphasized in the PSC Report, new data collection and analysis techniques exist that wouldfacilitate research efforts and increase efficiency in effort and cost. An extended research effortwould require that Canada acquire a new oceanographic/fisheries research vessel.