Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the fishery, change in environmental conditions, and change in the salmon fishery itself. It is a significant new expenditure that is addressing the needs both of those leaving the salmon fishing industry and those who have chosen to remain.
Conservation is the top priority in the management of Canada's Pacific salmon resource.
Faced with dwindling stocks, particularly some coho stocks near extinction, the Department implemented a fish first approach in 1998. Putting fish first means sticking to long-term objectives, even if it means short term adjustments. For the 1999 salmon fishing season, strict conservation measures remain for all sectors. A commercial salmon licence fee dispensation is in place to respond to continuing conservation concerns and the resulting decrease in fishing opportunities on the west coast. This will allow fishermen the opportunity to elect not to participate in the fishery for this season without losing salmon licence eligibility for the next season.