British Columbia cancels lease allowing U.S. warships to test weapons in Canadian waters. Four U.S.-flagged fishing boats are detained by Canadian authorities for failing to notify them as the boats entered Canadian waters. Treaty talks stall in reaction to seizure. Each side blames the other for the continuing treaty impasse. In Prince Rupert, B.C., a blockade of Canadian fishing boats keeps an Alaska ferry from leaving port.
Fishermen initially defy a court order to free the ferry, but desist after three days.
Treaty talks resume with the appointment of special U.S. and Canadian envoys. September 1997 British Columbia files suit against United States over fishing rights. B.C. provincial Premier Glen Clark says the main goal was to force resumption of negotiations. November 1997 President Clinton and Prime Minister Jean Chretien meet to discuss resolution of the salmon wars. Regional and national governments must resolve the salmon dispute while there are still fish in West Coast rivers, U.S. and Canadian envoys urge.